Meath put the disappointment of Gala All Ireland junior defeat behind them

Gala All Ireland Camogie Semi- Final – played in Nowlan Park Kilkenny Saturday 8th August.

Offaly 0-16 Meath 1-8

The Faithful County flush out the Royals, as they book their place, for the second year running, in the Gala Ireland Junior Camogie Final in Croke Park on Sunday the 13th September against Waterford.

Meath go down by five points as they fail to go that one step further. 

Offaly took the game to Meath from they throw in, settling more to the task as they made their mark in the opening minutes. Showing a sharper touch on the ball and with more experience behind them, they wanted another chance to make amends for last years All Ireland Final disappointment.   Meath were not far off the mark and showed some great character with some excellent displays of Camogie.

Centre field player Karen Nugent opening the proceedings with a well taken point. Meath did make some efforts during the opening spell as Kristina Troy & Jane Dolan tried to pave a way in by they experienced Offaly half back line of Sheila O’Sullivan, Michela Morkan & Aoife Kelly.

Offaly added two additional points from play before Meath’s Captain Jane Dolan opened her teams account with a pointed free. They Offaly forwards were singing out of the same hymn book in the first half as five out of their six forwards secured points. Meath made some nice passages of play on a number of occasions from centre field to their forwards where Anne Marie Fagan , Elizabeth Lynch & Frances Lynch secured points.  The teams went in at half time on the score line of Offaly 0-10 Meath 0-4.

After the resumption Meath gave a better account of themselves with players tightening up on a number of positions and playing to their potential. Aoife Thompson at full back gave a solid performance and she was helped by Aileen Donnelly who delivered some fine long range ball to her forwards.

Jane Dolan got the first score of the second half from a placed ball and this was followed by a pointed free from Offaly’s Michela Morkan.   The only goal of the game came in the 39th minute which gave Meath some hope as Jenny Rispin hit the back of the Offaly net. This was followed almost immediately by a point from Elizabeth Lynch which put two points between the teams.

With each team battling for possessions, bringing some excitement from the side lines, as both were edged on by their management teams and supporters.  Offaly had Croke Park in their sight as they out scored Meath from the 40th minute to full time with a further five points, Michaela Morkan taking four from placed balls & Siobhan Flannery 1 point from play, to Meath’s two coming from Aileen Donnelly & Jane Dolan both from frees.  

Meath : Emily Mangan, Edel Guy, Aoife Thompson, Aine Keogh, Stephanie Horan, Aileen Donnelly 0-1, Louise Donoghue, Frances Lynch 0-1, Anne Marie Fagan 0-1, Sinead Hackett, Laura Flynn, Kristina Troy, Elizabeth Lynch 0-2 , Jane Dolan 0-3, Debra Wigglesworth.

Subs: Jenny Rispin 0-1 for Debra Wigglesworth, Dearbhla O’Carroll for Laura Flynn

Offaly: Audrey Kennedy, Fiona Stephens, Lorraine Keena, Karen Brady, Sheila O’Sullivan, Michaela Morkan, Linda Sullivan, Karen Nugent, Marion Crean, Michelle Davis, Elaine Darmody, Aoife Kelly, Tina Hannon, Siobhan Flannery, Arlene Watkins.

Subs: Jean Brady for Tina Hannon, Debbie Flynn for Siobhan Flannery.

Meath play in the Leinster Championship Final on Sunday 16th August against Wicklow at 2pm in Donaghmore/Ashbourne

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