Grimes boosts ladies’ fortunes
MEATH MONAGHAN 1-13 0-9
TWO counties who plied their trade in different divisions last year came face to face in round three of the Lidl NFL and it was newly-promoted Meath who came out on top at Dunganny.
The Royals were bouncing back from the previous week’s defeat to Cavan and they laid the foundations for victory in the opening half when playing into a stiff gale.
A strong work ethic and possession football ensured they only trailed 6-4 at the break.
Duleek-Bellewstown’s Monica McGuirk produced an excellent save early on to deny the visitors, while at the other end St Patrick’s Emma White was unlucky to see an effort rebound off the woodwork.
Proceedings took a twist within two minutes of the second half when Oldcastle’s Bridgetta Lynch got on the end of a flowing move to finish to the net. That goal set the Meath girls up nicely and they kicked on from there to the finish.
Seneschalstown’s Stacey Grimes continued her unerring accuracy from placed balls and ended with seven points. MEATH: Stacey Grimes 0-7f, Bridgetta Lynch 1-0, Emma Duggan 0-2, Kelly Harris, Aoibhin Cleary, Niamh Gallogly, Megan Thynne 0-1 each.
Bryan Menton on 25 minutes.
Despite accounting for a number of long-range scores, Mayo found it difficult to create much in attack and only led 0-7 to 0-1 at the break.
Four of Meath’s five opening-half wides arrived in the first 10 minutes, with Bryan Menton, Shane Walsh (two) and Brian Conlon off target.
Conlon was presented with a goal opportunity on 15 minutes, but Diarmuid O’Connor made a saving tackle to knock the ball out for a 45.
Both teams had rung the changes before the throw-in, with Ethan Devine and Shane Walsh coming into the Meath attack along with James McEntee who switched from defence, with Ronan Ryan coming into the back line.
Mayo looked a bit more familiar with the inclusion of Lee Keegan and Aidan O’Shea and this duo added the experience the Westerners needed to boss the opening-half exchanges.
With the elements in their favour, Meath needed to restart on the front foot, but five wides was all they had to show for their efforts in the opening 13 minutes after half-time. Mayo too missed a few chances before Meath were thrown a lifeline, with James McEntee and Donal Keogan combining for the Curraha man to finish a fine move to the net on 49 minutes.
Bryan McMahon closed the gap further from a free and Meath hit the front when McMahon and Brian Conlon set up Ronan Jones for the second goal on 54 minutes.
The intensity levels rose as Kevin McLoughlin hit the equaliser from a free.
With two minutes of normal time remaining McLoughlin again levelled in reply to a Cillian O’Sullivan point.
Then came that killer goal and Meath were left to rue missed opportunities.
MAYO:
Donal Keogan of Meath battles for possession with Mayo’s James Durcan during