Meath Match Report from U14 B Championship Semi-Final

All Ireland Under 14 ‘B’ Championship Semi -Final

Meath v Roscommon

Sunday 29th May 2011 @ 4.30pm

The Downs GFC, Co. Westmeath

Half Time: Meath 0-05 v Roscommon 2-05

Full Time: Meath 0-09 v Roscommon 2-06

            Roscommon proved the old adage that ‘goals win games’ when they defeated Meath by 2-06 to 0-09 in the Under 14 All Ireland semi final played in the terrific facilities of The Downs GAA club in Westmeath. Meath fought back gallantly in the second half but the Connacht County did just enough to keep the Royals at bay and book a place in the All Ireland decider.

            The game started slowly with both teams clearly nervous with the occasion and it was the Royals who eventually settled first, opening the scoring though Susan Kealey on four mins. Meath spurned some of their opening chances and Roscommon finally opened their scoring account on fourteen minutes with a well taken free converted by Rachel Fitzmaurice. This seemed to shake the Royals awake as the scores were unleashed. Stacey Grimes opened her scoring account on 15 mins after some determined work from Niamh Monaghan, Niamh Gallogly and Debbie Maughan. Kate Moran was rewarded for her fielding efforts with a point of her own on 17 mins. Grimes added her second point of the contest from a sideline kick on 18 mins and Meath were starting to look comfortable.

            However, Roscommon were not going to lie down and take defeat. Shauna Connell pointed a free on 20 mins, and in a ten minute spell Fitzmaurice inspired Roscommon to take a six point lead into half time. The opening goal scored in the 21st min saw Fitzmaurice cut through the Meath defence and place the ball firmly in the left hand corner of the net. On the restart, Roscommon were awarded a 21 yard free and Royal defenders left Fitzmaurice free, who dutifully pointed. With a brilliant interception from Niamh Gallogly, Meath pulled a point back on 25 mins when Amy Gilsenan sent the ball over the black spot. Roscommon however were flying high and added a further 1-02 to leave them a full six points ahead at the break.

            While Meath rang in some changes at half time, Roscommon maintained the same 15 and it seemed that the Royals plan was working as substitute Elizabeth Moreland opened the second half scoring on 42 mins. This was cancelled out a minute later by Shauna Connell who pointed her second free of the match. However with Meath raising their game in the second half, it made for a more interesting contest. Stacey Grimes made some terrific runs and was unlucky not to see them finish strongly. While both teams chalked up the wides, Meath were able to reduce the defecit to five points with Aoife Flattery taking a point on 52 mins. The Roscommon keeper Caoimhe O’Reilly came to her team’s rescue on more than one occasion in the last few moments. While Meath tried to grind out a goal from somewhere, the Roscommon defence simply refused to budge and never let Meath see sight of goals. Moreland added her second point of the encounter on 56 mins, while Grimes converted a free on 57 mins. Meath had their chances but a combination of super defending and narrow wides from the Royals left Meath with a mountain to climb. Unfortunately time ran out on the Royals and while they dominated the second half, Roscommon did just enough in the opening half to ensure their passage to the All Ireland Final. For Meath it was a tough defeat, final score in The Downs was Meath 0-09 to Roscommon’s 2-06.

Sign up to our email newsletter

sponsors

Partners & Supporters

PROVINCES

Counties

BRITAIN

INTERNATIONAL

See all LGFAClubs