MEATH…2-14
DUBLIN…1-04
Do not adjust your screens. The score before you is indeed correct. Some turnaround from 0-10 to 2-16 on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Alright, alright, romantic dreaming aside, the manner in which the Royal ladies rebounded after last week’s disappointment against Galway was impressive in itself.
That, combined with the fact that the auld enemy were next up on the schedule meant that Wayne Freeman’s team would need little or no motivation for the Bank Holiday Monday meeting with the current All Ireland champions in Stamullen.
They certainly started as such. With Orla Finnegan showing well for ball inside, the home side rocketed into a 1-05 to 0-00 lead with the Dunboyne duo of Emma Duggan (two frees) and Katie Bermingham accounting for the lot.
Ciara Smyth (two) and Marion Farrelly slotted over as well, meaning that the locals held a 1-06 to 0-03 interval advantage.
The superb Smyth, Duggan, Farrelly and team captain Niamh Gallogly all pointed within five minutes of the restart to push the Meath lead out to 11 points.
There was never going to be time for the Dubs to come back, so, Meath manager Freeman took the opportunity to empty his bench.
In full knowledge, mind you, that an even greater acid test awaits next weekend when the Kingdom roll into town.
Scorers – C. Smyth and E. Duggan (1-4 each), N. Gallogly and M. Farrelly (0-2 each), K. Bermingham and R. Casserly (0-1 each).
Meath – R. Murray; A. Sheridan, M. K. Lynch, A. Gaffney; O. Smith, S. Wall, K. Bermingham; O. Sheehy, N. Gallogly; M. Thynne, C. Smyth, M. Farrelly; E. Duggan, O. Finnegan, M. Byrne.
Subs – R. Casserly for Finnegan, C. Lawlor for O. Smith, M. McConnell for Byrne, A. Farrell for Thynne, C. McPeake for Farrelly.
Referee: Shane Curley (Galway)