Meath Ladies Match Report

Half Time: Meath 2-07 v Wicklow 1-05
Full Time: Meath 5-12 v Wicklow 3-09

Meath recovered from their defeat to Dublin in round 1 of the Leinster Championship to annex two points with victory over Wicklow in round 2 this weekend. The Royals were given a dream start when Sinead Coyle hit the back of the net in the opening minute of the game. Playing against a stiff breeze was not to keep the Royals out, as Katie O’Callaghan added to Meath’s tally with the opening point of the contest on three minutes.

Defending well, Wicklow attacks were prevented time and again by Lauren McCann and Leanne McMorrow. In fact, Meath’s attack turned out to be its best defence, when clever work from Gael Colmcilles’ Jackie Kavanagh gave Callaghan a wonderful pass, and the Ratoath player split the posts for her second of the game on six minutes. Meath 1-02 to Wicklow’s no score. Wicklow weren’t to be denied scoring opportunities though and took one to pull point back on nine mins. On 11 mins they split the post again when awarded a free. This seemed to wake the Royals up a little, and hard working Emma Troy won a free on 50m which found Adrienne McCann in space. McCann expertly found Kavanagh and she split the posts for Meath’s third point. Although Wicklow split the posts again on 13 mins, Meath got a free, taken by Adrienne McCann who dropped it short. This was caught by Jackie Kavanagh who turned and slotted it into the back of the Wicklow net on 14 mins. Wicklow couldn’t stem the Royal scores, and Callaghan continued her good run of form, pointing again on 15 mins.

Adrienne McCann again became play-maker when she passed to Sinead Coyle, who made absolutely no mistake with the finish, bringing her tally for the day to 1-01. With 20 minutes gone, Wicklow began to put on pressure but good defensive work by the backs Cliona Murray, Leanne Mc Morrow and a great block by Hannah Cullen , Meath weathered storm for the moment but a lapse in concentration by Meath saw the Wicklow girls breeze through for a goal on the 22 min mark. Despite this, Meath responded quickly with a point by Jackie Kavanagh. Coyle added her second point, and Meath’s seventh of the half on 24 mins. Attack still reigned on the Wicklow goals, but the Wicklow goalkeeper collected on each occasion. Half Time, Meath were working well, five points ahead 2-07 to 1-05.

The second half started well for Wicklow when after 3 mins they added to their score by finding the back of the Meath net. Suddenly things looked too close for comfort for the Royals. However, these under 16s have a never say die attitude and it worked to their advantage in this second half.
Working the ball down field they put 3 points between the teams once more courtesy of Kavanagh. This seemed to light a spark in the Meath team, and a great pass from Meath full forward Katie Callaghan to Coyle resulted in Meath’s third goal on 36 mins. Wicklow responded with a point on 37 mins. Defence became attack once more when Emma Troy popped up to score Meath’s fourth goal on 38 mins. The Garden County weren’t out of this yet. They pointed again on 40 mins, and put pressure on Meath’s rear guard at every opportunity. A goal mouth scramble at the Royal net, was cleared impressively by Meath’s Sarah Powderly. Coyle and Kavanagh added further points in the 45 and 46 mins respectively.

Meath’s attack continued to plunder the Garden County, and Callaghan made it a glorious five for the Royals when she connected with a low ball to send it flying into the back of the net. However, the goals were traded as at the other end as a 13 metre free from Wicklow found the back of the net. Both teams added a further two points before the referee blew the full time whistle to leave the full time score Meath 5-12 to Wicklow 3-09. After defeat to Dublin this was a great comeback in the Championship by the Royal girls. With one remaining group game left, an away fixture to Laois fixed for the 11th April, victory in Wicklow was needed to boost hopes of a semi final placing. Best for Meath on the day were Katie Callaghan, Sinead Coyle, Leanne McMorrow and Lauren McCann.

Meath Team & Scorers: S. Powderly, H. Regan, C. Murray, L. Mc Morrow, K. Blaney, L. McCann, H. Cullen, D. Moroney, A. McCann, J. Kavanagh (1-05), S. Coyle (2-04), L. Lynch, E. Troy (1-0), K. Callaghan (1-03), A. Weston. Subs E. O’Hare for Weston.

The under 14s took a visit to the capital this weekend in round 2 of the under 14 Leinster Championship, but the girls from the Capital were ready for the Royal challenge and won the contest easy in the end. Meath 0-03 to Dublin’s 7-10. They now get ready to face the Lilywhites when Kildare take a trip to the Royal County on April 10th.
The Meath Ladies senior team are on the road once again next weekend (Sunday 28th March) when they travel down south once more to take on the Banner County in the fifth round of the Bord Gais Energy National Ladies Football League. Since their defeat to Kildare in the opening round Meath have gone from strength to strength and the new players from last year’s All Ireland winning under 16 team have made a huge impact. Victory over Clare on Sunday will give Meath hopes of reaching the knock out stages of the NFL a huge boost. Venue and time of game to be confirmed.