MEATH…2-12
KERRY…3-05
The equation was simple for the Meath camogie team at Rathmolyon on Saturday afternoon, and in the end so was the solution.
Nothing other than a win would suffice for Gary Cole and Tommy Moloney’s team if last year’s run deep into the All Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship is to be repeated. And, on this occasion, the Royals were able to give lie to the old adage about goals winning games as their alacrity at raising white flags was enough to see them over the line.
That said, an early Amy Gaffney goal and points from the aforementioned Ratoath player, Ellen Burke of Dunboyne and Na Fianna’s Aoife Carey had Meath very quickly off the blocks. Which was just as well because when Amy O’Sullivan netted twice in quick succession, it meant that the Olivia O’Halloran point left the locals trailing by only two – 1-04 to 2-03 – at the interval.
Within two minutes of the restart, points courtesy of Kiltale’s O’Halloran and a Ciara Foley free had the hosts back at parity. Then midfielder Tracy King got on the scoresheet before three successive converted frees by Foley almost nonchalantly eased those in the Bective Stud jerseys into a lead of 1-10 to 2-03.
Now, the ever impressive Patrice Diggan did register a third ‘major’ for the Kingdom, but it never got the chance to have any effect on proceedings as good approach play by Ellen Burke put Foley in position and she blasted to the net to seal a trip to Tipp (Thurles) next weekend and a clash with Offaly for Cole’s crew.
SCORERS – C. Foley (1-4, 3F, 1 ’45’), A. Gaffney (1-2), O. O’Halloran (0-3), T. King, A. Carey and E. Burke (0-1 each).
MEATH – M. Randle; S. Payne, C. Coffey, R. O’Neill; L. Devine, M. Clince, A. McInerney; E. Leddy. T. King; A. Lally, A. Gaffney, A. Carey; O. O’Halloran, C. Foley, E. Burke.
SUBS – G. Connolly for Lally, E. Hanafin for Carey.
Referee: Karl Collins (Galway).
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