Royals impress in big win over Cork at Páirc Tailteann
AFTER the horror show that was the defeat to Kerry, Meath bounced back in emphatic style to close out their Lidl NFL Division 1 campaign on a winning note at Páirc Tailteann on Sunday.
The victory left Meath finishing in fourth spot, while defeat for the Rebel county cost them their place in the top tier for the first time since 2003.
Meath made a number of changes, both positional and personnel, and played a much faster-paced game with an abundance of quick delivery into the forwards which eventually reaped its reward. The hosts were the better of the teams throughout but a combination of poor finishing and the concession of a slack goal left them trailing by 0-6 to 1-4 at half-time.
They could have been further behind shortly after the restart when Cork were awarded a penalty following a foul on Dáire Kiely but Meath goalkeeper Robyn Murray brought off a fine save from Kiely’s spot-kick and that proved to be a turning point.
Less than a minute later, Emma Duggan converted a free to level and then the lively Shelly Melia found the net with a shot that seemed to deceive substitute ’keeper Caoimhe Richmond.
There was no comeback for the visitors after that and a dominant Meath stretched out their advantage from there to the finish to end a three-game losing streak.
The win was also a boost ahead of their opening round Leinster championship match at home to Laois on Sunday, April 21.
Murray, who started for the first time this season instead of captain Monica McGuirk, enjoyed a fine hour with the penalty block the highlight and she also came to her side’s rescue on a couple of other occasions as well. Karla Kealy, in her first outing at this level, excelled at wing-back, while Aisling McCabe, who was given the nod to start beside Máire O’Shaughnessy at midfield, brought a presence to that area of the pitch that was lacking in recent matches.
Melia, who switched to attack, also enjoyed a productive hour and gave worthwhile assistance to inside forwards Duggan and Marion Farrelly.
Two excellent points within as many minutes by Duggan was just the start that Meath needed but they failed to add to their tally for the remainder of the opening quarter and instead hit five successive wides.
Megan Thynne eventually got
the hosts moving again by blasting over the bar following a one-two with Melia. Emma Cleary, who had opened Cork’s account from a free, added a second to leave it 0-3 to 0-2 after 23 minutes.
Farrelly then hit a great point for Meath before a malfunction from a kickout ended with Lydia McDonagh providing the pass for Sadhbh O’Leary to finish to the net and put Cork ahead.
Duggan’s third point of the half levelled proceedings but Kate O’Driscoll and Máire O’Callaghan hit quick-fire points to restore the Cork lead.
Aisling McCabe reduced the deficit to the minimum on the stroke of half-time.
As well as failing to convert from the penalty spot, Cork also hit four wides in a seven minute spell after half-time. Meath grew in confidence following that goal from Melia and Duggan and Farrelly (two) were on target with points as Meath opened up a 1-10 to 1-5 advantage by the end of the third quarter.
Meath were finding openings in the Cork rearguard at that stage but Farrelly saw a rasping shot come off the crossbar while Ella Moyles lost possession when in a good position to find the net.
The host were ahead by 1-13 to 1-6 when the second goal eventually arrived on 57 minutes with Richmond unable to hold a shot from Duggan and Melia pounced to force the ball over the line. Meath might have had another goal in added time but instead had to be satisfied with a point from substitute Amy O’Leary.
Overall, though, it was much better in all areas of the pitch from Shane McCormack’s side and they can now look forward to the Leinster and All-Ireland campaigns with renewed optimism.
MEATH: Robyn Murray; Kate Newe 0-1, Áine Sheridan, Nicole Troy; Niamh Gallogly, Mary Kate Lynch, Karla Kealy; Máire O’Shaughnessy, Aisling McCabe 0-1; Megan Thynne 0-1, Shelly Melia 1-0, Lisa Young; Ella Moyles, Marion Farrelly 1-3, Emma Duggan 0-7 (2f). Subs: Aoibhin Cleary for Kealy (40), Olivia Gore for Moyles (52), Ailbhe Leahy for Thynne (55), Ciara Doherty for Melia (58), Rachel Casserly for Farrelly (58), Orlaith Mallon for McCabe (58), Amy O’Leary 0-1 for Duggan (59), Isabel O’Connor for Newe (60), Emily McCann for Troy (60), Ciara Lawlor for Young (60).
CORK: Sarah Murphy; Melissa Duggan, Sadbh McGoldrick, Ellan Twomey; Laura O’Mahony, Sarah Leahy 0-2, Katie O’Driscoll 0-1; Máire O’Callaghan 0-1, Abbie O’Mahony; Emma Cleary 0-2 (2f); Dáire Kiely, Amy McDonagh; Kaitlin Smith, Lydia McDonagh, Sadhbh O’Leary 1-0. Subs: Caoimhe Richmond for Murphy (HT), Aoife Healy for McGoldrick (HT), Éabha O’Donovan 0-1 (1f) for McDonagh (HT), Libby Coppinger for A O’Mahony (36), Emma Hurley for Smith (43), Bianna Smith for Kiely (43), Kate Redmond for McGoldrick (52), Anna Ryan for Twomey (52), Noelle O’Mahony for L O’Mahony (55), Dara Kiniry for Cleary (59).
REFEREE: Andy Marron (Monaghan).