Meath lose out to Strong Cavan Side

Full Time: Meath 0-04, Cavan 1-13

 

Meath’s final league game of 2015 was played in the fabulous facilities of Killygarry GAA against Cavan on a sunny, if cold, Sunday afternoon. The Breffni County had already qualified for semi-finals but needed a win in order to force a play-off for top spot alongside Donegal. To their credit, Meath showed determination, skill and guts but in the end it was Cavan who took the honours.

 

It was the home side who raced into an early lead – with early scores from Sarah Murray, Geraldine Sheridan, Aishling Sheridan and a brace from Aisling Doonan. Sharp defending from Michelle Peel, Niamh Sheridan and Aideen Guy kept the Cavan attack at bay. Nicole Byrne, playing in her second Senior game in nets was sharp throughout – came off her line on a number of occasions to maintain Royal possession. Navan O’Mahony’s Jacinta Maher got Meath’s first score on thirteen minutes with a well finished point. A minute later however Cavan had the only goal of the contest, Grainne Smith’s shot evading Byrne’s outstretched hand and into the top corner. Jacinta ‘Speedy’ Maher doubled Meath’s score on 17 mins with a converted free. With Cavan upping the ante – Meath’s defence responded – a certain goal was blocked down by Boardsmill’s Emma Troy to force the game’s first ’45. Cavan tagged on a brace of points before Meath got their third point of the half – a third point for Maher after Troy was fouled twenty metres out. Cavan would have been further ahead but Meath defences held strong.

 

Half Time: Meath 0-03, Cavan 1-07.

 

As Cavan rang in the changes at half time, Meath focused and threw everything at the home side, Ellie O’Neill covering almost every blade of grass on the field. Sharp defending from Aideen Guy forced a shot to skim off the Byrne’s crossbar and for the Royal side luckily away wide. Indeed it was the Royals that got the first score of the half. Meath Senior Captain, Kate Byrne finding the black spot from thirty yards out on 38 mins. It was to be Meath’s only score of the half as Cavan began to find holes in the Royals’ rearguard. Claragh O’Reilly got Cavan’s opening score of the half on 39 mins with Eirinn Galligan pointing on 41 mins. O’Reilly claimed a further point from a free on 43 mins while there were also scores for Doonan, Beth Farrelly Magee and Catriona Smith. Surging runs from Emma Troy, Niamh Crowe and Kate Byrne fell short of their final target and it was the home county that ran out easy winners in the end.

 

Full Time: Meath 0-04, Cavan 1-13.

 

Meath Team & Scorers: Nicole Byrne, Niamh Sheridan, Michelle Peel, Aideen Guy, Niamh Lister, Ellie O’Neill, Emma Troy, Kate Byrne (C, 0-01), Síofra Cleary, Jacinta Maher (0-03), Alex Goodman, Niamh Crowe, Kate Lawless, Kate Flynn, Julie Donnellan.