Meath… 2-18
Mayo… 1-15
It is said that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Perhaps this is just my overtly superstitious nature at play, but, gut instinct tells me those who are now Shane McCormack’s charges have a feeling of unfinished business from last term that needs attending to.
So much has been written, and yours truly is as guilty as anybody here, and said about those who Meath have lost from active service for a variety of reasons. In no particular order, Orlaith Duff, Emma Troy, Orlagh Lally, Vikki Wall, Bridgetta Lynch, Kelsey Nesbitt, Sarah Wall, Aoibheann Leahy and Stacey Grimes and, for this game at least, Aoife Minogue, Shauna Ennis and Niamh O’Sullivan.
Big losses all, undoubtedly, but there still remains in place enough classy, experienced players around whom to build a team. Whilst at the same time opening the door for others to step up to the plate and make their mark.
Thus, Monica McGuirk led out a side including new names (to this writer at least) such as Nicole Troy and Ella Moyles alongside whom McGuirk, Katie Newe, Mary Kate Lynch, Aoibhin Cleary, Maire O’Shaughnessy and Emma Duggan provided the experience.
Now, while they mightn’t openly admit as such, if they were harbouring hurt from last year, this performance was a statement of their intent to amend that situation in the weeks and months ahead.
Not even the late change of venue from Ballina to the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan could throw the visitors off their stride. Niamh Gallogly and Duggan – a late addition to the Royal County starting 15 – kicked points like they were going out of fashion in that first half and when Meadhbh Byrne netted twice just before the break – leaving the visitors clear by 2-10 to 1-08 – assumptions that it was job done could be forgiven.
Not so however. Just as Tara Needham’s goal had kept Meath in check early on, a flurry of points from Needham, Maria Cannon and Fiona McHale kept the green and red right on their opponents’ coat tails in the early stages of the second half.
Until, that is, the ladies clad in the famous Kepak jerseys hit five unanswered points – three of them from Duggan – to once again pull away. To their utmost credit though, Liam McHale’s side kept coming back for more and it took late white flags prompted by Ciara Smyth and Marion Farrelly to make sure the Lidl Ladies NFL points went North East rather than staying in the West.
Scorers – Meath: E. Duggan (0-10, 5F), M. Byrne (2-0), C. Smyth (0-4), N. Gallogly (0-3), M. Farrelly (0-1).
MEATH – M. McGuirk; K. Newe, A. Sheridan, N. Troy; N. Gallogly, M. K. Lynch, A. Cleary; M. O’Shaughnessy, S. Melia; M. Thynne, E. Moyles, C. Smyth; M. Byrne, M. Farrelly, E. Duggan.
SUBS – A. Leahy for Byrne, T. Foster for Gallogly.
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