Meath keep on top of rivals Dublin
FIRST-HALF goals from Meadhbh Byrne and Marion Farrelly were crucial in Navan yesterday as Meath got the better of provincial rivals Dublin on a 2-5 to 0-7 scoreline to make it two wins from two in Division 1 of the Lidl National Football League.
In the battle of the last two TG4 All-Ireland SFC winners, Meath built on last weekend’s impressive triumph against Mayo to maintain their 100 per cent start to the 2024 season. Carla Rowe contributed 0-4 for Dublin on her return to the first 15, but the Jackies’ search for a first victory of 2024 will continue into round three of the top-tier competition.
After Ciara Smyth traded points in the early exchanges with Dublin’s Ellen Gribben, excellent approach work from two-time TG4 All-Star Emma Duggan provided the platform for Meath attacker Byrne to slot a low shot to the opposition net in the sixth-minute.
Duggan subsequently extended the home team’s advantage with a superb point from play and after full-forward Farrelly coolly grabbed their second goal of the contest, the Royals found themselves seven points in front (2-2 to 0-1) heading towards the firstquarter mark.
Carla Rowe (free) and marauding half-back Martha Byrne did find the target for Dublin either side of a Duggan free as the play progressed, but despite losing Niamh Gallogly to the sin-bin on 27 minutes, the Royals brought a 2-3 to 0-3 buffer into the interval.
While Dublin were playing with the aid of a breeze in the second half, it wasn’t until nine minutes after the resumption that they added their next score. It was a free from Rowe that got them back up and running, but with the Dublin skipper converting another placed ball effort moments later, this game was still very much up for grabs.
Although Danielle Lawless and Ashling Nyhan joined half-time substitute Kate Sullivan on the field of play as Dublin attempted to turn the screw, Meath’s nerves were settled when Duggan knocked over a free on 52 minutes.
Rowe’s fourth point of the afternoon kept Mick Bohan’s side in the hunt during a tense finish to the action, only for a Farrelly free to offer the Royals ample breathing space in advance of a late point by Dublin’s Kate Murray.
Meanwhile, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh scored 1-4 off the bench to inspire Kerry to a six-point 2-11 to 2-5 victory over a dogged Waterford outfit at Fitzgerald Stadium in Division 1.
Ní Mhuircheartaigh entered proceedings in the 47th minute when Kerry were a point ahead but the Footballer of the Year then contributed a fine performance that included a beautifulyl lobbed goal in the 64th minute.
Waterford, playing into the wind and rain in the opening half, got off to a whirlwind start after 45 seconds when Kellyann Hogan scored a fortuitous goal as her tame shot slipped through the hands of an unsighted Kerry netminder Mary Ellen Bolger.
Bríd McMaugh followed with a point on five minutes and as Waterford continued to boss the opening exchanges a free from Hogan fell short for Mairead O’Brien to punch to the net .
That put Waterford 2-1 to 0-0 after 10 minutes before Kerry finally got moving.
Their comeback started when Niamh Carmody pointed her first of four frees in the half following a foul on Jadyn Lucey, and Lucey hit the back of the net soccer style in the 14th minute after being put through by Carmody.
Carmody added another free and then Emma Dineen put over when she might easily have goaled and suddenly Kerry were just a single point behind, 1-3 to 2-1, with eight minutes left in the first half.
Waterford needed a lifeline of their own and they got it when Áine O’Neill drove through for a good score but two Niamh Carmody frees saw the sides go in level at half time, 1-5 to 2-2.
Half-time substitute Danielle O’Leary gave Kerry the lead for the first time in the game four minutes into the second half and followed up three minutes later with another excellent score.
Alannah McNulty got one back for the visitors and the Kingdom outfit’s goal was living dangerously, however Mairead O’Brien’s effort was ruled out for a throw ball.
Ní Mhuircheartaigh then entered the game and popped over a free and by the 59th minute the sides were level at 1-11 to 2-5 apiece. Then came Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s goal after she was fed by Danielle O’Leary and Kerry were able to see out the remainder of the game.
At Duggan Park in Ballinasloe on Saturday, two goals from Lisa Cafferky secured a first victory of the campaign for Mayo as they held out for a 2-5 to 0-10 win over Connacht rivals Galway.
After leading by four points entering the final 10 minutes, Liam McHale’s charges had to resist a late fightback from the hosts who kicked three points through two Róisín Leonard frees and Ailbhe Davoren.
Mayo led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the break before Cafferky struck for her second goal going into the final quarter as Galway fell to a second defeat.
The Royals built on last weekend’s impressive win in Mayo