Royals just short after brave fight

TIPPERARY MEATH 3-19 2-19

MEATH ladies bowed out of the TG4 Intermediate Championship after a dramatic fightback fell marginally short in this semi-final at Semple Stadium last Saturday.

Tipperary led 3-17 to 1-10 at one stage in the second half and appeared to be cruising to an easy win.

However, Meath staged a courageous revival during which they dominated the final quarter but left themselves with two much leeway to make up.

After conceding 2-2 in the space of a little over a minute, the Meath girls found themselves trailing 1-7 to 2-11 at half-time, with their goal coming from St Michael’s Marion Farrelly.

Tipperary extended their lead in the third quarter before a penalty goal from Stacey Grimes kick-started a Meath revival. MEATH: Orlagh McLaughlin; Aideen Guy, Emma White, Emma Troy 0-2; Aoibhin Cleary 0-5, Vikki Wall 0-2, Niamh Gallogly; Maire O’Shaughnessy, Kate Byrne; Megan Thynne, Orla Byrne 0-1, Katie Newe; Stacey Grimes 1-4, Niamh O’Sullivan 0-3, Marion Farrelly 1-2. Subs: Paula Dunne for White, Niamh Lister for Newe, Bláthnaid Keogh for O Byrne.

Orla O’Dwyer of Tipperary takes on Katie Newe during the TG4 Ladies All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final.

Meath’s Emma White prepares to tackle Gillian O’Brien (Tipperary).