Meath 0-03, Cork 7-22

Despite a valiant Royal effort, the result was never in doubt in the TG4 Qualifier against the All Ireland Champions, Cork on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon. Cork took a commanding lead into half time (2-11 to 0-01) before opening fire in the second half and finishing with 7-22 to their credit. However Meath put in a courageous performance, fielding an exceptionally young squad that featured seven of the Minors who won the Leinster Championship earlier this season.

First half plaudits go to Meath netminder Monica McGuirk who pulled off several remarkable saves throughout the opening half to keep Meath in contention while early efforts by Kate Byrne, Vikki Wall and Marion Farrelly went wide of the mark. Meath's sole score of the opening half came from the determined boot of Vikki Wall in the 20th min. Meath were saved from a third goal in the opening half when Valerie Mulcahy hit the crossbar and saw her effort go wide. Megan Thynne, Ellie O'Neill, Marion Farrelly and birthday girl Aideen Guy showed well for the Royals in the opening half despite trailing 2-11 to 0-01 at the break.

The floodgates were opened in the second half when Cork Captain, Ciara O'Sullivan led by example and got her team's third goal. As Cork continued to plunder the Rebel net, Vikki Wall hit back with two points in the 54th and 56th minutes. While the Rebels were the clear winners on the day, Meath battled hard throughout and kept pushing right until the very last whistle, a trait which proves Meath football will be back fighting next season. For now however, the journey to find a new senior inter-county manager begins while the players return to their clubs to prepare for the resumption of the Coca-Cola Club Championships.

The Meath Ladies County Board would like to thank Anne, Packie, Bertie and Christina for all their time and dedication to the Meath Seniors this year and would like to especially thank Jenny Rispin for stepping into the bainisteoir's shoes and preparing the team for today's game. Onwards and upwards for the Royals and we wish the Rebels well on their challenge for their tenth All Ireland Title.

Meath Team & Scorers: Monica McGuirk, Megan Lyons, Julianne Scanlon, Shauna Ennis, Aideen Guy, Paula Dunne, Kate Flynn, Kate Byrne (C), Niamh Lister, Ellie O'Neill, Samantha Monaghan, Megan Thynne, Victoria Wall (0-03), Marion Farrelly, Sarah Powderly. Subs: Áine Bennett for O'Neill, Kelsey Nesbitt for Farrelly, Hannah Heskin for Lyons, Leah Kelly, Anna Rothwell, Nicole Byrne, Katie Bellew, Síofra Cleary.

Cork; Martina O'Brien, Marie Ambrose, Bríd Stack, Aisling Barrett, Vera Foley, Deirdre O'Reilly, Geraldine O'Flynn, Annie Walsh, Briege Corkery, Ciara O'Sullivan (C), Aisling Hutchings, Orla Finn, Valerie Mulcahy, Áine O'Sullivan, Rhona Ní Bhuachalla.

Referee: Gerry Carmody

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