MEATH…2-10
WATERFORD…2-05
The record books will show that Ailbhe Leahy and Marion Farrelly bagged the two goals as Meath made it three wins from as many outings in the Lidl Ladies NFL, but it was the fact that Na Deise simply had no answer to the ceaseless, marauding runs of Niamh Gallogly that really swung matters in the away team’s favour during this lively encounter at Fraher Field in Dungarvan.
Shane McCormack’s side could’ve been forgiven had they been a little bit on the back foot early on here as, having arrived to the south east venue with only their white Kepak set of jerseys in tow, the Royals were forced to don the shirts of a Waterford club side. Ironically – or perhaps not – the club in question were also of the green and gold hue. Very quickly, too, it became obvious that the unfamiliar attire wasn’t going to have any impact on the visiting outfit.
Once Maire O’Shaughnessy snaffled possession from the throw in and set Leahy – who was a late replacement for goalador supreme herself Meadhbh Byrne – away, there was an inevitability about the Navan O’Mahonys clubwoman drilling the ball low to the Waterford net. However, recent history has underlined the closeness of the rivalry between these sides. Thus, it should’ve been no surprise when Mairead O’Brien flicked to the Meath net seconds later.
What was a shade unusual, though, was that the same player managed to put the ball beyond Monica McGuirk’s grasp again shortly thereafter. Not many can claim to have beaten the three All Star twice in one game.
That said, it is a sign of a well travelled team’s experience and belief in their own ability that, rather than be derailed by such setbacks, to use Jim Gavin’s favourite terminology, they stuck to the processes and started the cycle over again.
Which manifested as a surging run from Gallogly, at the end of which she stylishly split the posts. Then, from another, came a necklace of short passes involving Gallogly, O’Shaughnessy, Shelly Melia, Megan Thynne and Emma Duggan, at the end of which, Farrelly’s trusty left boot shook the net for the second game in a row.
Indeed, the St Michael’s player was desperately unlucky not to register a third ‘major’ for the away side when her rasper of a shot came crashing off the under side of the opposition’s crossbar.
Still, the table toppers were full value for their 2-06 to 2-03 half time lead and with wind advantage and shooting into the more favourable ‘River End’ goals to come.
And indeed those in the borrowed jerseys did hold sway in terms of territory and possession,with Gallogly, Aoibhin Cleary, O’Shaughnessy and Melia – who had her finest game yet on a county team – constantly pouring forward and Duggan keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
At the other end, Pat Sullivan’s troops were given dmple opportunities to better their plight by Laois referee Kevin Phelan but, luckily from a Meath perspective, Lauren McGregor’s radar wasn’t tuned to the precision of the two time Brendan Martin Cup winners and late scores from the magnificent Melia and substitute Rachel Casserly underlined as such.
Scorers – E. Duggan (0-6, 4F), A. Leahy, M. Farrelly (1-0 each), N. Gallogly, S. Melia, C. Smyth and R. Casserly (0-1 each).
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; A. Leahy, M. Farrelly, E. Duggan.
SUBS – L. Young for Smyth, S. Lynch for Leahy, R. Casserly for Farrelly, T. Foster for Melia.
Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois)
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