Any sportsperson, in an individual pursuit or a team based one, can only work with the hand of circumstances they are dealt. So yes, the Meath Ladies have had to adjust to life without Vikki Wall, Katie Newe, Orlagh Lally, Aoibhin Cleary, Monica McGuirk, Emma Troy, Aoibheann Leahy, Stacey Grimes,Kerrie Cole, Shauna Ennis and Maire O’Shaughnessy, and the impending losses of Mary Kate Lynch and Sarah Wall.
And in some ways, they have done so highly creditably. That outcome can only be achieved by making best use of the resources at hand. In the further development of players like Katie Bermingham, Robyn Murray, Orlaith Sheehy, Rachel Casserly and Ciara Smyth.
However, aside from the fact that Mary Kate was a a mentor with the county Minor side who went agonisingly close to beating Dublin earlier that day, why herself and (Ciara) Smyth were only brought on at half time.
Granted, captain Niamh Gallogly did concede earlier in the campaign that the Royal County’s main priority for the spring campaign was to preserve their top flight status.
They should have, even at this stage, done enough to achieve that objective. It’s just a pity that with a little more organising even more might have been possible.
***
MEATH… 2-16
LAOIS… 1-08
Also on Saturday, Stephen Shiel’s intermediate camogie team recovered from defeat in their last outing against Kerry to record a double scores victory over their midland opponents.
There wasn’t much to separate the sides early on and, though the blue and white opened up a bit of a lead, but a fine point from Aoife Carey kept the visitors in touch.
Then, Maeve Clince’s long clearance put Emma Regan in for a goal which put the green and gold four clear, 1-08 to 1-04 at the midway point.
It’s hard to say which was the most impressive element of this performance. The fact they managed to bank the same total again in the second half or the variety of players who contributed to doing so.
Both decent entries to have in the credit column. Keeping up their own promotion hopes and bolstering the feel good factor in the county.
Scorers – E. Regan (1-2), E. O’Brien (1-1), L. Devine, A. Carey, R. Heaney, C. Foley and G. Coleman (0-2 each), I. O’Connor, O. O’Halloran and G. Connolly (0-1 each).
MEATH – M. Randle; S. Payne, M. Clince, R. O’Neill; L. Devine, A. Donnelly, E. Leddy; I. O’Connor, E. Burke; A. Carey, R. Heaney, E. O’Brien; O. O’Halloran, C. Foley, E. Regan.
SUBS – A. Lally for Heaney, G. Coleman for Foley, G. Connolly for Burke, B. Kelly for Carey.
Referee – Simon Redmond (Dublin)
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