Lally is the Royals’ star

ORLAGH LALLY scored 1-2 as Meath advanced to the Lidl NFL Division 1 final by beating Mayo at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones.

Michael Moyles’ Mayo side had led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time but the strong wind was best used by the reigning TG4 All-Ireland champions. Meath hit 2-8 in that second half to ensure victory.

Lisa Cafferky got the game’s opening score but a Stacey Grimes free cancelled that out two minutes later. Mayo were dominating possession and a long-range point from Shauna Howley saw them take the lead. The teams exchanged scores before Mayo built up a head of steam and a Sinéad Cafferky point meant they led by three at half-time.

But the floodgates opened as the second half got underway with Meath hitting 2-5 unanswered in the first ten minutes. Kelsey Nesbitt netted for Meath’s first goal on 35 minutes while a super pass from Vikki Wall set up Lally and she rifled home on 40 minutes to push the Royals into an eight-point advantage.

Mayo battled back into contention when Lisa Cafferky fired scored a goal in the 43rd minute. Points from Aoife Geraghty and substitute Ciara Needham reduced the deficit to three points. Duggan tagged on her fourth point and at the second half water break Meath led by 2-10 to 1-9.

In the final quarter, Mayo piled on the pressure but the Meath defence was unrelenting. Late points from substitute Emma White and Lally ensured the Royals march on to Croke Park once more.

MAYO: A Tarpey; É Ronayne (T O’Connor 58), R Flynn (S El Massry 58), D Caldwell; S Lally, F McHale, K Sullivan; S Cafferky, A Geraghty; S Howley, S Walsh, S Mulvihill; L Cafferky, C Whyte (C Needham 43), M Reilly (H Reape 54).

ScOrErS: O Lally 1-2, E Duggan 0-4, K Nesbitt 1-0, S Grimes 0-3 (3f), M Thynne 0-1, V Wall 0-1, E White 01.

MEATH: M McGuirk; K Newe, MK Lynch (O Duff 58), K Nesbitt (N Gallogly 50); A Ennis, E Troy, A Cleary; M O’Shaughnessy, O Lally; M Thynne, A Leahy, E Duggan; V Wall, S Grimes (B Lynch 58), N O’Sullivan (E White 50).

ScOrErS: L Cafferky 1-2, S Howley 0-4 (3f), S Cafferky 0-1, A Geraghty 0-1, C Needham 0-1. rEfErEE: Siobhan Coyle (Donegal).