U14 girls reach Leinster decider

May 09, 2008
Meath U14s secured their place in the Leinster Final when they accounted for Wicklow in this fast free flowing high scoring game. Meath 7 - 13 Wicklow 7 - 09 Meath had comprehensively beaten Wicklow in the round robin series game, but, this was a much improved side that travelled to Meath on Wednesday evening. Wicklow were first off the mark when Aoife Kavanagh sent over a point in the first minute, but it was Meath who seemed to settle the quicker and their first three shots on target all resulted in goals courtesy of Aine Bennett, Jacinta Maher and Rachel Flynn. It would be a further 6 minutes before Wicklow were to score again. Meath kept the pressure on were rewarded with a goal and four points unanswered. Wicklow however did not lie down and they continued to put pressure on the Meath defence. Their persistence was rewarded when Kavanagh and Kayleigh Crammond netted a goal a piece in the last few minutes of the half. Meaths Aine Bennett calmed things down with a goal in the last minute of the half. This sent the Meath girls into the break with a comfortable 5 - 07 to 2 - 05 scoreline. The second half was a tough encounter with both teams scoring freely. Wicklow were once again first to score with a point from full forward Kavanagh. Meath not to be outdone scored a goal of their own when Maher once again found the back of the net. It was end to end football. In a quiet spell for Meath the Garden county girls notched up another couple of goals and they were within catching distance of the Royals. By the 27th minute Wicklow had clawed their way back to within four points of the home side. But Meath with a Leinster final in their sights were not giving up easily and when ref John McLoughlin blew full time on the game a collective sigh of relief went up all over the Ratoath pitch. Meath will now play Laois in the final on May 17th at a venue and time tbc. Meath have already beaten Laois in the round stages but it should be a very close game on the day. Meath - Sarah Stanley, Kate Jennings, Cliona Murray, Ceilidh Dalton, Laura Bagnall, Lauren McCann (0-1), Karen Blaney, Sinead Coyle (0-3), Laura Dempsey (0-1), Katie Callaghan (0-2), Adrienne McCann (2-2), Laura Murray (0-2), Aine Bennett (0-2), Jacinta Maher (2-2), Rachel Flynn (1-0). Subs - Orla Bracken for Bennett, Laura Patterson for Maher, Deirdre Moroney for Flynn and Niamh Lister for Jennings

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