MEATH…2-09
WESTMEATH…1-06
New Meath Intermediate camogie manager Stephen Shiel saw his reign get off to a winning start when his charges produced a stirring second half to gain the upper hand on the neighbours in the opening round of the Very Ireland National Camogie League in Mullingar on Saturday afternoon.
The locals opened the brighter, carving out 0-02 to 0-05 lead early on before the visitors netted for the first time. Aoife Carey’s long range point effort dropping short but Ciara Foley was on hand to smartly recycle possession to Olivia O’Halloran who put away a fine goal.
That left the visitors clear by 1-04 to 0-05 at the midway point and that advantage was bolstered still further when Roisin Heaney essayed over a brace early in the second half.
A Megan Dowdall goal gave the maroon and white renewed hope but it was quashed almost immediately thereafter when Foley was again the provider – this time to Emma Regan and the Na Fianna player made no mistake.
Speaking of the Baconstown/Enfield club, two more of their stars, Carey and Erin Leddy, then contributed fine points to ensure the points went down the road with the Royal County.
Scorers – E. Regan (1-2), O. O’Halloran (1-0), R. Heaney (0-3), A. Carey (0-2), I. O’Connor and E. Leddy (0-1 each).
Meath – M. Randle; S. Payne, M. Clince, R. Moran; L. Devine, A. Donnelly, R. O’Neill; I. O’Connor, E. Leddy; A. Carey, E. Burke, R. Heaney; O. O’Halloran, C. Foley, E. Regan.
Subs – G. Connolly for Burke, E. O’Brien for O’Halloran.
Referee – Ciaran Goff (Wicklow).