MEATH LADIES Leinster U-16 Championship Round 5 Meath v Wexford Ferns, Co. Wexford Saturday 3rd May Throw In: 3pm Half Time: Meath 3-11; Wexford 3-01 Full Time: Meath 4-18; Wexford 4-05 Meath cruised past an average Wexford team to take third place in the U-16 Leinster Championship and booked their place in the Leinster semi final against Laois on the 7th May. The wind proved to be a massive factor as it aided Meath in the first half to take a commanding lead, but hindered the Royals in the second half as they fought hard to take their scores against the wind. From the throw-in Meath had to defend hard and goalkeeper Samantha Monaghan was immediately into action saving a shot from the Wexford forwards. Sonya Murphy, Wexford's corner forward opened the scoring with a goal from point blank range. Almost immediately Meath responded in style with a goal of their own from top scorer of the championship thus far, Aisling O'Reilly. A minute later Meath went ahead through Laura Gilsenan. On five minutes, the game was level again as loose defending allowed Wexford point. However after that Meath took control and picked off their scores one by one. O'Reilly added a point from a free. On the resumption, Gilsenan fielded well to retrieve the ball and determinedly put the ball between the posts for her second of the afternoon, just six minutes gone on the clock. The Meath forwards worked well together and supported midfielder Blathnaid Keogh as she carved through the Wexford defence and slotted the ball over the bar for her contribution to the tally. Quick thinking by Meath's Kelly Allen allowed Vivienne McCormack to take a quick short 45' and although it came to no avail , it unsettled the Wexford backs who were clinging on to the game. Meath however continued to dominate the opening half and with sixteen minutes gone on the clock Meath had increased their score by 2-02, goals coming from Aisling O'Reilly, her second of the afternoon, and Bridgetta Lynch, her first match of the season, only back from injury. The points both came from O'Reilly as she continued to plague the Wexford defence. Half way through the first half Meath had built a commanding lead, Meath 3-06 to Wexford's 1-01. For the next ten minutes Meath still dominated, clearly showing manager Carley that he had his strongest team on the pitch. Points came from Ailibhe McHugh, after some good defending from Allen, Gilsenan, Lynch and a further two points from O'Reilly. With such a strong lead, it was unfortunate that Meath conceded two soft goals, a lapse in concentration and slack defending the cause of both goals. Carley will be eager to increase his team's concentration ahead of the semi final. Despite the two goals, Meath were definitely the happier of the two teams, leading at half time Meath 3-11 to Wexford's 3-01. Meath began the second half in what could only be described as a defiant mood and battled hard against the continued wind. Although Wexford did see more of the ball in the second half, they weren't as successful in their attempts on goal as Meath were in the first half. On the restart, Keogh picked up a loose ball in midfield and quickly found O'Reilly eager to take another shot which she successfully put over the bar her sixth point of the afternoon. Lynch added her second point of the afternoon. O'Reilly added a further point on 37 minutes. Meath added a further four points and a goal before the end, one each from O'Reilly and Gilsenan and two points and a goal from Megan O'Brien. In the second half despite the strong breeze Wexford only scored 1-04, this due to some good defending from Meath and some unlucky shots. Captain Rebecca Considine showed her leadership with determined defending. Overjoyed at the final whistle, Meath will now take on Laois in the Leinster semi-final on Wednesday 7th May in Laois at 7.30 and at a venue to be announced. Meath were best served by Samantha Monaghan, Rebecca Considine, Brenda O'Sullivan, Kelly Allen, Megan O'Brien, Laura Gilsenan, Bridgetta Lynch and Aisling O'Reilly. If they overcome the obstacle of Laois they will play the Leinster Final on May 17th. Meath Team & Scorers: S. Monaghan, A. Fagan, H. Lawless, A. Smith, R. Considine (capt.), B. O'Sullivan, K. Allen, S. Sheridan, B. Keogh (0-01), M. O'Brien (1-02), V. McCormack, L. Gilsenan (0-05), A. McHugh (0-01), B. Lynch (1-02), A. O'Reilly (2-07). Subs: M. O'Shaughnessy for Sheridan, O. Duff for Lawless, L. Young for McCormack, N. Collins for Smith, A. McLoughlin for McHugh. Referee: Dave McCabe Tweet

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