Meath Blitz Louth Minors

MEATH LADIES

Leinster Minor Championship, Division Two; Round Two

Meath v Louth

Saturday 28^th February at 1pm

Trim GAA

 

Half Time: Meath 7-07, Louth 1-01

Full Time: Meath 9-13, Louth 2-03

A 5-05 haul from St. Michael’s player Marion Farrelly were among the highlights as Meath comfortably defeated Louth in Trim this afternoon. Meath’s dominance in Division Two continued after their defeat of Wicklow on Valentine’s Day. Today, Meath were relentless, attacking in waves and proving as solid at the back. Conditions were not ideal and although the wind favoured the opposition in the opening half, the Royals proved superior in all areas of the pitch and played some lovely fluid football.

The Royals were ahead by two goals with three mins gone on the clock – Vikki Wall and Kelsie Nesbitt on target for the home side. Ruth Hanna pointed for Louth on 4 mins but this was cancelled out by Marion Farrelly who opened her account for the afternoon with a converted free on five mins. Farrelly added to her opening score with her first of five goals on 6 mins. Megan Thynne pointed on 7 mins from a tight angle before Aoife Minogue also got on the scoreboard after some great teamwork by Katie Bellew. Farrelly pointed twice on 14 and 16 mins after great defensive work by Minor Captain Hannah Heskin and Emma White. Thynne found her scoring boots again on 20 mins and a minute later had another shot saved off the post. Goal number four came on 22 mins – a move that began in the Royal back line – Heskin leading by example and finding Niamh Gallogly. Farrelly wrong footed her marker and slotted the ball past Louth keeper Nadine Weldon. A minute later and Farrelly had her hat trick – Katie Dowling finding Aoife Minogue. The Clann na nGael player’s surging runs down the wing opened up the Louth defence at will – and Minogue’s final pass gave Farrelly just enough time to fire to the net. Thynne pointed once more on 24 mins before Nicole Byrne made a fine save for the Royals a minute later. Meath continued to attack throughout the first half – Farrelly grabbing her fourth goal on 28 mins. Louth found their way through the Meath defence on 30 mins, however this was cancelled out a minute later as Farrelly grabbed her fifth goal of the game in injury time.

Half Time: Meath 7-07, Louth 1-01

With such a commanding lead at half time, the Royals might be forgiven for sitting back and protecting their lead. What happened of course was the complete opposite, Vikki Wall pointed on 31 mins before Farrelly pointed a minute later. Wall showed her strength once again with a point on 33 mins and got her second goal with a fine individual run which fell deceptively over the Louth keeper’s head on 43 mins. Byrne was pressed into service on 45 mins and despite the Royals best efforts Catherine McGlew slipped in for Louth’s second goal on 47 mins. Vikki Wall grabbed her hat trick on 51 mins – incredibly the Royals ninth goal. Vikki Wall and Kelsie Nesbitt limped off early after they clashed into one another and Meath were finishing with 13 players having already used all five substitutes. Substitute Roisin Commons converted a fine point on 57 mins with Farrelly getting her eleventh and final score of the contest on 58 mins. While Louth tagged on two points in injury time, they were little more than consolatory, the Royals marching on into Round Three unbeaten.

Full Time: Meath 9-13, Louth 2-03

Meath’s win this afternoon is as comfortable as the scoreline suggests. Louth, to their credit never gave up, with Chloe Murphy particularly impressing for the Wee County. Meath however dominated midfield – with Katie Bellew and Ellie O’Neill developing a really strong partnership in the middle. The Meath forwards; Megan Thynne, Hannah Mulvaney, Kelsie Nesbitt, Vikki Wall, Aoife Minogue and Marion Farrelly were invincible and will look with optimism to the next round – an away trip to Carlow on the 14^th March. Alongside the high scoring, what will impress Meath minor manager, Eamon Murray, the most is the consistency in defending and commitment in the tackle. With the majority of this panel only up from U16, there is tremendous optimism for the future.

 

MEATH TEAM & SCORERS: Nicole Byrne, Emma White, Gemma Donohue, Hannah Heskin (C), Regina Hand, Katie Dowling, Niamh Gallogly, Katie Bellew, Ellie O’Neill, Hannah Mulvaney, Vikki Wall (3-03), Aoife Minogue (0-01), Megan Thynne (0-03), Marion Farrelly (5-05), Kelsie Nesbitt (1-00).

Subs: Roisin Commons (0-01) for Thynne (HT), Odharnaith McKenna for Minogue (HT), Karley Leavy for Gallogly (HT), Caoimhe Clynch for White (44 mins), Amy Mulvaney for Byrne (49 mins), Florence Smith for Hand (50 mins).

Louth: Nadine Weldon, Aisling McEntaggart, Alannah Conlon, Aoife Gregory, Caoimhe Byrne, Catherine McGlew, Chloe Murphy, Cliona Smith, Eimear Curtin, Emer Byrne, Emma Thompson, Eva Gardiner, Eva Hoey, Hannah O’Neill, Jenny Mulrey.

Referee: John Doherty (Dublin)