Meath Win in U16 Derby

With a dogged determined display, Meath u16s booked their place in the Leinster U-16 ‘A’ Final beating Laois in a sun drenched Dunganny. Meath led from the start scoring two goals in each half, but it was the defenders who shone, limiting Laois to just five scores over the 60 minutes, the visitors’ goal, a penalty in the second half.

Meath started brightly with early pressure from Abbie Timmons, Sorcha Gough, Leah Devine and Leah Reilly. Timmons, who had a fantastic game in the green and gold of the Royal County, got Meath’s scoring underway, splitting the posts in the first minute. Marie Luttrell levelled matters for Laois on the resumption before centre forward Erone Fitzpatrick handed the visitors the lead on six minutes. With Leah Devine running at pace at the Laois defence and Meath’s half back line of Sarah Wall, Anna Myles and Orla McLoughlin standing strong, the Royals launched their attacks and were rewarded with an opening goal on 11 mins, Abbie Timmons firing to the net. A tremendous save from Captain Judy Bobbett spurred the Royals on and Sorcha Gough converted a free on 19 mins to send the Royals three points clear. Patient build up and clever inter-play between Abbie Timmons and Leah Devine gave the Royals their second goal on 21 mins as Devine found the back of the Laois net. With Katie Newe, Kate McCarthy and Orlagh Lally in fine form, the Meath rearguard held strong and overturned Laois possession. Sinead Cullen split the posts for the visitors on 24 mins but it was the Royals who had the last say of the half, Timmons pointing on 29 mins to push the Royals into a six point lead at half time.

 

Half Time; Meath 2-03, Laois 0-03.

 

A Sorcha Gough free stretched Meath’s lead to seven at the start of the second half before Fitzpatrick converted a free a minute later. This was cancelled out on the resumption when Mollie Byrne split the posts after good work from Leah Devine. Meath got goal number three on 39 mins when Devine and Byrne set up Gough who shot to the net to loud cheers from the sideline. Laois pulled a goal back on 43 mins when Fitzpatrick converted a penalty. Gough pointed her fourth score of the contest on 44 mins and with Laois pressing for goals, Judy Bobbett was called into action on 48 mins to deflect a shot that would otherwise have been in the back of the net. With ten minutes remaining, Timmons hit the back of the net with a rasping shot for the Royals’ fourth goal of the contest after a scintillating solo run and super link up play with Gough. Anna Myles was also pressed into defensive service as she blocked down a dangerous Laois attack. There was just time for an Aedin Slattery point, a just reward for the Na Fianna midfielder who had chased and harried all afternoon.

 

Full Time; Meath 4-07, Laois 1-04.

 

This was a confident and relaxed Meath performance as each player set about their task and executed with aplomb. Defensively, Meath were rock solid, evidenced by their concession of just five scores over the course of the fixture. However, this Laois team were dangerous in attack with Fitzpatrick and Laois Captain Tinashe Chapwanya particularly impressing. Meath now face a lengthy wait until their Leinster Final, which is scheduled for June 26^th. For a second year in succession they will face Dublin and while last year’s encounter was a tight and tense affair, an even closer battle is expected. One thing is for sure, Peter Byrne’s management team will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the team are prepared for their Leinster Final battle.

 

A minute’s silence was impeccably observed by both teams and supporters before the game in honour of Wexford’s Ciara Ryan who passed away suddenly on Friday. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilís.

 

Meath Team & Scorers; Judy Bobbett, Katie Newe, Kate McCarthy, Orlagh Lally, Sarah Wall, Anna Myles, Orla McLoughlin, Aedin Slattery (0-01), Rachel Troy, Sorcha Gough (1-03, 2f), Leah Reilly, Laoise McDermott, Abbie Timmons (2-02), Mollie Byrne (0-01), Leah Devine (1-00).

Subs: Sophia Payne for Timmons, Marina Kelly for McLoughlin, Emma Moriarty for Gough, Eva Hunter for Byrne.

 

Laois: L. Darley, L. Dowling, E. Daly, E. Dunne, I O’Toole, T. Chapwanya (C), Z. Keegan, A. Daly, A. Dunne, A. Cuddy, E. Fitzpatrick (1-02, 1f), A. Delaney, S. Cullen, R. Fitzgerald, M. Luttrell (0-01).

 

Ref: Angela Gallagher (Dublin)