Meath 2-7 Laois 2-6

By Kieran Devaney in Mountrath

Grace Coleman’s 61st minute converted free earned Meath their first points of 2023 in the opening round of the Very Ireland National Camogie League against Laois in Mountrath. 

Laois had Meath on the ropes on a number of occasions as they netted twice over the hour to swing the momentum back in their favour but a somewhat new looking Meath team battled back to survive this early year test.

It's been a long time since a Meath starting forward line didn’t include Jane Dolan or Sinead Hackett but their recent retirements will open the door for some new blood. There were other notable absentees namely Aoife Minogue who is on Football duty as the Meath ladies took on Mayo in Pairc Tailteann at the same time.

The first 5 minutes of the game were scrappy as both sides got to grips with conditions. A mix of wind and mist coupled with the soft ground hampered any thoughts of an early advantage. The home side eventually broke the deadlock in the sixth minute with a free through Susie Delaney. Meath responded well with three points in a row. Ellen Burke opened Meath’s account from play, Coleman fired over a free and the first goal chance of the game fell to Olivia O’Halloran on 10 minutes when she showed good pace but couldn’t keep her shot down and fired over the bar.

Maggie Randle, at the other end, was called into action early when she dove, full stretch, to stop Grainne Delaney’s low shot. However, on 14 minutes, there was no stopping Karla Whelan’s shot when she fired past Randle to register the first goal of the game and the home side led again.

The Meath squad for the opening round of the National Camogie League against Laois

Grace Coleman responded for Meath with another free and shortly after that she linked up with Nadine Doyle, getting on the end of a nice one-two to finish from distance into the wind.

Meath were two points ahead on 25 minutes when Abbye Donnelly opened her account with a point but Laois responded instantly when Susie Delaney raised their second green flag to restore their lead. That lead was short lived though as Donnelly fired home a goal of her own in added time to give Meath a 1-6 to 2-1 lead at the break.

Laois were quick out of the blocks after the resumption and three points on the bounce from Susie Delaney, Grainne Delaney and Aiva Coss had the hosts in front on the 40 minute mark. Meath responded like they did in the first half with a second goal. This time, Olivia O’Halloran pulled on a batted down ball to fire Meath into the lead again.

Laois captain, Clodagh Tynan, stepped up to level things in the final quarter when she converted a 21 yard free and then from play three minutes later. As the clock reached the 30 minute mark it looked like the points would be shared but Coleman converted a late free when she was fouled just inside the 45 to give Meath the win.

Meath - Maggie Randle, Sophia Payne, Claire Coffey, Rachel O'Neill, Tracy King, Maeve Clince, Leah Devine, Ellen Burke (0-1), Susan Kealy, Robyn Dunne, Abbye Donnelly (1-1), Nadine Doyle, Emma O’Connell, Grace Coleman (0-4) Olivia O’Halloran (1-1) Subs : Aoibhin Lally, Emma Hanafin, Rachel Moran, Caroline Quinn

Laois – Aedin Lowry, Fiona Scally, Sarah Fleming, Aisling McAuley, Aimee Collier, Clodagh Tynan (0-2), Mary Hyland, Aiva Coss (0-1), Leah Daly, Grainne Delaney (1-1), Alice Walsh, Gemma Hoare, Susie Delaney (0-2) Karla Whelan (1-0), Andrea Scally Subs: Amy Flanagan, Luisne Delaney, Eimear Hassett.

Kieran Devaney in Mountrath

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