BORD GÁIS NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE – DIVISION 2 – ROUND 1

Half time:

Kildare 1 – 10 – Meath 1 – 01

Full time:

Kildare 2 – 17 – Meath 2 – 07

Referee: Tony Lennon – Dublin

Meath Ladies got off to the worst possible start in the Bord Gáis National Football League at Celbridge on Sunday when they were beaten by a strong Kildare side. Kildare set out their stall as early as the first minute when full forward Áine Gately sent the ball high over the bar for a point almost from the throw in. Indeed Kildare were to send over five unanswered points before Meath registered their first score.

Orla Sheridan started the move when she picked up a loose ball at the half way line and passed it onto Ger Doherty who then found corner forward Bridgetta Lynch free on the 20 metre line. Lynch made no mistake when she buried the ball in the back of the Kildare net. But Kildare were having the bulk of the possession and went on to register another goal and five points before Jenny Rispin pointed from a free in the twenty ninth minute. Kildare went into the break with a 1 – 10 to 1 – 01 lead.

It was Meath who started the stronger in the second half and Jenny Rispin was on target once again when she sent over a fine point from a narrow angle. But with Miriam Murphy and Deirdre Gately in devastating form Meath were once again finding the going tough. Kildare went on to notch up another goal and five points before a free from Jenny Rispin managed to stem the flow of scores from Kildare. Substitute Stephanie Byrne put her name on the scoreboard with a fine point whilst Rispin latched onto a loose ball and sent it into the back of the net. Kildare were finding it hard to score at this stage and managed only one more point before the end of the game. Meath had a further three scores courtesy of Rispin (2) and Lynch (1).

Meath found the going tough but won’t be too worried at this early stage of the season. A lot of work has been done with some more to do before the girls reach their full potential.

Next on the horizon is Sligo. This game will take place on Sunday next February 14th at Pairc Tailteann. Time tbc yet. This will be the first time a Meath Ladies side has taken on a Sligo side in the NFL.

MEATH TEAM AND SCORERS:

Irene Munnelly, Claire Coffey, Philomena Sheridan, Maria Kealy, Áine Fagan, Kellie Allen, Ciara Dempsey, Mary Sheridan, Ashley Leavy, Aedin Murray, Geraldine Doherty, Orla Sheridan, Elaine Duffy, Jenny Rispin (1 – 05), Bridgetta Lynch (1 – 01).

Meath subs:

Roisin Nulty for O. Sheridan, Eve Wardick for Leavy, Stephanie Byrne (1pt) for Allen, Samantha Martin for Duffy and Therese Cosgrave for Dempsey.

Kildare team:

Therese Martin, Aoife Herbert, Donna Barry, Angela Lyons, Maria Moolick, Niamh Quinn, Aisling Lambe, Aisling Holton, Brianne Leahy, Miriam Murphy, Tracy Noone, Deirdre Gately, Áine Gately, Lisa Higgins and Catherine O’Malley.