Meath 2-12, Sligo 2-14

Meath hopes of remaining in Division Two for 2017 were crushed on Sunday afternoon after a titanic battle with Sligo in Killeshandra. Despite the Royals leading at half time, Sligo upped the pressure after the break and came away with the spoils sending Meath into Division Three league for the first time in their history.

The game opened brightly for the Royals but it was Sligo that got the scoring underway first with a brace of scores from Stephanie O'Reilly and a free from Elaine O'Reilly on 5 mins. Meath's response was immediate with Niamh Gallogly splitting the posts after a fine run from the centre of the field. The teams exchanged scores a minute later with Gallogly on target again for Meath after well worked passes with Stacey Grimes. Great defending from Meath Captain Paula Dunne, Aideen Guy and Elaine Plunkett kept the Sligo attack at bay and Vikki Wall levelled matters from a free on 9 mins. Meath hopes were raised when Stacey Grimes found the back of Noelle Gormley's net with ten mins played. Ciara Gorman reduced the gap to two on 12 mins and while both sides went wide of the mark, Vikki Wall restored the Royals three point lead, a score which came from tremendous work from Blathnaid Keogh, Niamh O'Sullivan and finished strongly by Wall.

The teams traded scores once more on 16 mins, Elaine O'Reilly converting a free while Ailbhe McHugh split the posts for the Royals. Elaine O'Reilly converted her third free on 19 mins when Sinead McTernan was fouled. McHugh added her second point on 21 mins to restore Meath's three point advantage and a brace of scores from Grimes and Wall on 22 mins handed the Royals a five point lead, Wall's point fiercely hit and just scraping over the crossbar, unlucky not to have crept under. Sligo's Eilise Codd was sin binned on 23 mins but this spurred her team into action and they reduced the gap to two points with a Stephanie O'Reilly goal on 25 mins. An Elaine O'Reilly free on 27 mins reduced the gap to the minimum but it was the Royals that finished the half the stronger as a brace of points from the boot of McHugh restored a three point lead.

Half Time; Meath 1-10, Sligo 1-07

Sligo levelled matters early in the second half Denise McGrath hitting the back of Louise Dunne's net. The second half was nip and tuck, with neither side willing to give up until the full time whistle. Gallogly pointed for Meath on 34 mins after possession was won back superbly by McHugh, the Simonstown player found Shelly Melia who offloaded at just the right moment to Gallogly. Grainne O'Loughlin levelled matters once again for Sligo on 35 mins after a great run from centre back. With Sligo exerting the pressure, Stephanie O'Reilly put Sligo two in front with two points in quick succession on 39 and 41 mins respectively. A promising Meath attack was ruled out for a square ball before Royal hopes were raised when Blathnaid Keogh netted the Royals' second goal on 43 mins to go back in front.

The teams traded scores once more on 51 and 52 mins with Niamh O'Sullivan pointing for the Royals after Wall sent the ball across the Sligo defence. While Meath's attacking pressures continued, it was Sligo who broke through the deadlock and Amie Cawley Fox made the score 2-12 each with approximately eight minutes to play. With tempers flaring, Stephanie O'Reilly pushed Sligo in front once more on 56 mins from a wide angle on the left hand side. Meath's Emma Troy, Shauna Ennis, Síofra Cleary and Vikki Wall pushed forward looking for the score to restore parity but it wasn't to come. It was to get worse for the Royals though as two yellow cards in the space of a minute were dished out harshly to substitute Niamh Lister and Shauna Ennis, to force the Royals into finishing with thirteen on the field. Sligo's defence stood strong and they finished with aplomb, substitute Katie Walsh pointing in injury time to preserve their Division Two status for the 2017 season and send the Royals into Division Three.

Full Time; Meath 2-12, Sligo 2-14.

Undoubtedly this result is going to hurt the Meath Ladies. They were well in contention throughout this contest and some unlucky decisions went against them. Meath controlled the game for long periods and many players stood tall today for the Royal cause. With so many young players still finding their feet at Senior level, there will be brighter days for this Royal squad, but patience is a virtue and it's something the Seniors will need in abundance with the Leinster Senior Championship on the horizon.

Meath Ladies would like to offer their condolences to Skryne Ladies secretary Colette Monahan on the passing of her father yesterday. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam.

Meath Team & Scorers: Louise Dunne, Orla Byrne, Paula Dunne (C), Aideen Guy, Síofra Cleary, Shauna Ennis, Elaine Plunkett, Niamh Gallogly (0-03), Blathnaid Keogh (1-00), Julie Donnellan, Niamh O'Sullivan (0-01), Stacey Grimes (1-01), Ailbhe McHugh (0-04), Vikki Wall (0-03, 1f), Shelly Melia. Subs: Emma Troy for Donnellan (27 mins), Hannah Heskin for Guy (44 mins), Aoibhín Cleary for McHugh (44 mins), Niamh Lister for Byrne (56 mins), Marion Farrelly for Melia (56 mins).

 

 

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