Closer but still not over the line

Meath…0-11

Cork…2-08

This writer has no idea where the saying ‘Close but no cigar’ originated from but at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday lunchtime it was a case of close but not over the line for the Meath as they slipped to another narrow defeat in the final round of the Lidl Ladies NFL.

The line could be used literally and metaphorically. Firstly, in relation to the fact that it was another match Davy Nelson’s side were right in all the way but just fell short. Also, however, due to them on two separate occasions in the first half going within inches of hitting the Cork net – via Shelly Melia and the outstanding Aoibhin Cleary – but both were thwarted by the imperious Sarah Murphy in the Cork goal.

At this point it should pointed out that it was most certainly not all doom and gloom for the eventually vanquished. Monica McGuirk again demonstrating why she is the best custodian in the game with a wonderful penalty save but – and please allow for a smidgeon of parochial bias – even that was over shadowed by the return of Vikki Wall to the starting 15 for the first time since last year’s All Ireland Final.

Call in coincidence if you wish, but their first half effort here was – in the humble opinion of yours truly – their best display of the season to date. Ironically, though, by the time the first hooter sounded it was Shane Ronayne’s charges who held a 2-05 to 0-05 lead after both Eimear Kiely and Libby Coppinger fortuitously navigated a way past McGuirk.

Emma Duggan entered the fray at half time and while it was clear that both herself and Vikki are still a little ring rusty, that those clad in the Kepak green outscored their opponents by six points to three after the break must be seen as a fair indicator they are getting back close to where they want to be as Championship approaches.

The glass is still very much half full.

MEATH – M. McGuirk; O. Gore, MK Lynch, K. Newe; N. Gallogly, S. Ennis, A. Cleary (0-2); M. O’Shaughnessy, A. Minogue; M. Thynne, V. Wall, S. Melia; O. Callan (0-1), S. Grimes (0-4), N. O’Sullivan (0-2). SUBS – E. Duggan (0-1) for Melia, O. Mallon (0-1) for Callan, A. McCabe for O’Shaughnessy, A. Leahy for Gallogly, A. Sherlock for Thynne.