Armagh Sweep Meath Aside

 

 

Full Time: Meath 1-00, Armagh 6-16

 

Meath’s League woes continued this afternoon as they slumped to defeat against last year’s Ulster Champions, Armagh,in Silverbridge. The Orchard County took a commanding lead into half time and their dominance continued in the second half. The Royals had no answer for Armagh’s power and although their position in Division Two is safe for 2016 with Down the likely team to drop, Meath will want to finish the league strongly when they face Cavan in two weeks.

 

The opening half was a fast paced affair with Armagh getting to grips with the wind better than their Royal counterparts. Caroline O’Hanlon grabbed the game’s first score in the opening minute. The 2014 All Star kicked 1-07 from midfield for her side and was as effective in defence as she was in attack – a thorn in the Royal’s side all afternoon. A hat trick of goals for Aoife McCoy and a brace of goals for Fionnuala McKenna as well as numerous points gave Armagh a 6-07 to no score lead at the break. To be fair to Meath, Niamh Lister was a key figure in centre back who linked play well with Alex Goodman and Julie Donnellan upfront but the final ball eluded the Royal attack.

 

The second half was a quieter affair with Armagh picking off their points at will. A great save by Nicole Byrne, making her debut for the Meath Seniors, gave Meath some confidence at the back but the result was always going one way. Indeed Meath can thank the crossbar and the upright as well as Nicole, as a brace of Armagh shots rebounded and into Meath arms. It took its’ time, but the Meath score, when it came, showed the potential this Meath team have. A bravely won ball by Niamh Lister was chipped forward to fellow Simonstown player Ailbhe McHugh. McHugh offloaded to Jacinta Maher and the speedy O’Mahonys player gained ground before dispatching to Meath Senior Captain, Kate Byrne who did not need to be asked twice to finish emphatically to the net. It was small consolation yet it highlighted that we must be patient with this Meath team as they are a team for the future. It finished in Silverbridge, Armagh the firm winners, 6-16 to Meath’s 1-00.

 

Today’s defeat needs to be put down as a bad day at the office. Meath know they are capable of better and will have learnt a lot from today’s encounter. There will be brighter days ahead with an exciting U-21 Championship beckoning and a new look Leinster Championship to be played for.

 

Meath Team & Scorers: Nicole Byrne, Hannah McKeon, Kate Lawless, Aideen Guy, Aisling Sheridan, Niamh Lister, Síofra Cleary, Kate Byrne (C, 1-00), Emma Troy, Julie Donnellan, Ailbhe McHugh, Kate Flynn, Alex Goodman, Niamh Crowe, Shauna Ennis.

 

Subs: Rebecca Considine for Guy (HT), Katie Dowling for Lawless (HT), Niamh Sheridan for A. Sheridan (40 mins), Jacinta Maher for Flynn (45 mins).

 

Armagh: Katie Daly, Mairead Tennyson, Caoimhe Morgan, Marian McGuinness, Sharon Reel, Sinead McCleary, Lauren McConville, Caitlin Malone, Caroline O’Hanlon (C, 1-07), Aoife McCoy (3-01), Kelly Mallon (0-03), Sinead Finnegan, Louise Kenny, Fionnuala McKenna (2-03), Aimee Mackin (0-02).

 

Referee: Gavin Corrigan (Down)

Tesco NFL – Round 6

Armagh v Meath

Sunday 29^th March at 2pm

Silverbridge G.A.C., Co. Armagh

 

Half Time: Meath 0-00, Armagh 6-07

Full Time: Meath 1-00, Armagh 6-16