The 2013 season finally came to an end for the Meath minors on Friday afternoon with victory at the All Ireland minor blitz held in Naomh Mearnóg, Portmarnock. The minor team were victorious in the shield final, defeating Westmeath. It has been a long year for the minors, defeat to Dublin for the second year in a row in the Leinster final knocked them out of contention in the championship, however the two-day All Ireland blitz was a chance to show the country that Meath are a force to be reckoned with.

Ten teams took part in LGFA's first ever All Ireland minor blitz, including New York who took honours by defeating Down in the Plate final. New York's team also had a Royal element, with Seneschalstown's Paddy Curtis training the team, fresh from winning the New York championship with Cavan Ladies. Indeed it was perhaps ironic that Meath's first match on the Thursday afternoon was against the American side. Meath got all three points, beating New York by 3-06 to 1-02.

After winning their opening match, the Meath team had a mixed bag of results. Defeat to Clare in round 2 by 5-02 to 2-02 was disappointing, however a good performance, despite defeat, to Cork in round 3 had Royal tails back up again. Meath led for much of the game against Cork, with the Rebels finding the back of the net twice to win on a 2-05 to 0-06 scoreline. Cork went on to win the competition outright, just highlighting that Meath are among the top teams in the country. Meath's last game on Thursday was against neighbours Westmeath and Meath triumphed on a 2-07 to 0-03 score. With Thursday over, Meath finished in third place in group A, guaranteeing a spot in the shield semi-final on Friday morning against Kildare.

Friday morning and the Meath team took off where they finished the previous day, comfortably defeating Kildare by 1-08 to 0-04, Naoise de Graaff with Meath's goal. This set up a shield final against Westmeath who had defeated Wexford in the other semi-final. In the shield final, Meath were unrelenting, leading from the throw-in. Meath were solid at the back, Niamh Sheridan, Sarah Powderly, Amy Gaffney, Katie Queeney, Ellen Hennelly and Michelle Peel providing Meath with the perfect platform to attack. Meath were 1-06 to 0-02 ahead at the break, Laura Murray scoring 0-04, Kelly Harris contributing 1-01 and Maeve Scanlon 0-01. Laura Murray added Meath's second goal at the start of the second half and with fire and guts Meath continued their scoring spree in the second half. Minor Captain Laura Dempsey went on a scoring splurge, finishing with 1-04 to her credit. Emma Healy, Murray and Becky O'Toole all contributed points in the second half. Full time score was Meath 3-13, Westmeath 0-04. National President Pat Quill presented the All Ireland Minor Blitz Shield to Captain Laura Dempsey and Vice-Captain Michelle Peel.

It is most definitely a good sign for the future of ladies football in Meath. The minor squad are a hard-working, determined and focused group of players, where it is a case of all for one and one for all. With many now on the fringes of the U21 and Senior teams, Meath can take nothing but positives from the experience in Naomh Mearnóg. Meath Ladies County Board would like to thank the management team for their hard work this year and congratulate the players on this achievement.

The Meath Minor panel for the blitz at Naomh Mearnóg were; Ciara Donoghue (Moynalvey), Siofra Cleary (Donaghmore-Ashbourne), Niamh Sheridan (Simonstown), Sarah Powderly (Navan O'Mahonys), Katie Queeney (Na Fianna), Michelle Peel (Donaghmore-Ashbourne, vice-capt), Ellen Hennelly (Walterstown), Aisling Cassidy (Simonstown), Lauren Patterson (Navan O'Mahonys), Laura Murray (Royal Gaels), Aine Bennett (Oldcastle), Maeve Scanlon (Royal Gaels), Kelly Harris (Simonstown), Naoise de Graaff (Simonstown), Laura Dempsey (Boardsmill, Captain), Emma Troy (Boardsmill), Helen Regan (Boardsmill), Hannah McKeown (Ballivor), Gillian Hawdon (Oldcastle), Aoife Dunne (St. Colmcilles), Riain O'Keeffe (Donaghmore-Ashbourne), Alicia Curtis (St. Michaels), Becky O'Toole (Donaghmore-Ashbourne), Grace Malone (Dee Rangers), Catriona Keoghean (Skryne), Orlagh Geraghty (Donaghmore-Ashbourne), Saoirse McGrath (Skryne), Amy Gaffney (Ratoath), Anna Rothwell (St. Colmcilles), Emma Healy (Oldcastle). Tweet

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