Meath round-up

“

Gala All Ireland Junior Championship

Meath 2-11 Antrim 3-6

Meath had a great win over Division 2 National League Finalists Antrim in Kiltale on Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm. Meath who play in Division 3 of the National League had everything to play for in this their first game of the Gala All Ireland Championship.

John Davis had his team well prepared for this game having played a number of high profile challenge games in the last few months, these games certainly stood to the Meath team as the gave a huge performance against Antrim.

Meath were certainly up for this match in all areas of the playing field as each player impressed throughout the game at different stages.  Top scorer Elizabeth Lynch was on fire as she had a personal tally of 2-5 for her afternoons work.

Meath were expecting a battle on their hands as Manager John Davis had discussed each player from the Antrim team with the Meath girls and what way he wanted Meath to play.

Meath had the electronic scored board working early in the game as Elizabeth Lynch pointed from a free in the first 2 minutes, this score seemed to settle Meath. Laura Flynn playing at wing half forward gave Meath’s full forward Kristina Troy a well timed pass which she put over for Meath’s second point. 

Antrim showed their strength throughout with some hard pulling on the ball. Meath blocked down a lot of the Antrim play on a number of occasions during the game.  Meath’s Elizabeth Lynch grabbed their third point form play before Antrim registered their first score in the ninth minute a point from their midfielder Rhona Torney.

Antrim’s Emma McMullan was a danger with every attempt on the Meath goal, but the Meath defence stood firm with some nice clearances from the Goalie Emily Mangan and Aoife Thompson defended very well which helped Meath advance up field giving they forwards every chance to gain possession. Meath’s goal which Elizabeth Lynch got to was put away unaware as the referee was also unsure as he checked with his umpires. 

Antrim’s Emma McMullan pointed from a free. Clare Laverty was tacking down some good ball at centre field. Elizabeth Lynch gave a lovely pass across goal to Kristina Troy as she got her second point. Antrim found the going though as the found it hard to break down the Meath defence who were solid during for the majority of the first half.

The was some good combination play as Meath’s Sinead Hackett, Elizabeth Lynch & Frances Lynch got a point a piece before the interval.  Antrim did have three wides before Grace & Emma McMullan put two more points on the board leaving the score at half time Meath 1-7 Antrim 0-4.

On the resumption of the second half, after a mini camogie game at the half time interval which was played by Drumree Camogie Club, Both teams got right back into the action as they provided a very competitive game for all to watch.  Antrim’s centre half forward Charlene Hamill got the opener of the second half a point from play this was followed by another wide from Antrim.

It was not until almost mid way into the second half before Meath’s Sinead Hackett got her second point and within the next minute sharp shooter Elizabeth Lynch got Meath second goal coming from a pass from Laura Flynn. Meath dominated for the next ten minutes with Elizabeth Lynch getting two crucial points and Elizabeth Oaks also got Meath’s final score in the 50th minute.

Antrim gained a lot of vital ball in the last ten minutes as Meath seemed to sit back a little. It was with five minutes remaining that Antrim turned they game around with three goals in the space of a few minutes this goals were almost detrimental to Meath as the game went down to two points between the teams.

Antrims’ goals came from Clare Laverty And full forward Grace McMullan got another two just to put the cat among the pigeons. After such a fine performance Meath could not wait for the final whistle to go as Referee Alan Lagrue played into 3 minutes of injury time.

Meath :Emily Mangan,Holly Geraghty,Lorna Donegan,Emma McNally,Aoife Thompson,Aileen Donnelly,Louise Donohue,Ann Maire Fagan,Edel Guy,Laura Flynn,Frances Lynch 0-1, Elizabeth Oakes 0-1,Elizabeth Lynch 2-5,Kristina Troy 0-2,Sinead Hackett 0-2

Subs: Stephanie Horan for anne Marie Fagan, Jane Dolan for Elizabeth Oaks, Maura Keogh for Emma McNally.

Antrim: Chrissie Doherty,Kelly Maybin (Captain),Mairead Graham,Bernie McKinley,Sarah McNicholl,Sinead Laverty,Emma Connolly,Clare Laverty 1-0,Rhona Torney 0-1,Michaela Convery,Charlene Hamill 0-1,Ashling McCaul,Emma McMullan 0-3,Grace McMullan 2-1,Mariosa McGourty,Sarah McNicholl

Kiltale Camogie team defeated by the narrowest of margins in All Ireland Feile na nGael final.

Meath camogie can stand tall and be proud as Kiltale Camogie Club reached their first All Ireland Club final last weekend.  Kiltale had the honour of representing Meath in Feile na nGael in Laois/Offaly.  They emerged victorious from the group stages of the competition after defeating Birr-Offaly, Glenealy- Wicklow and Drumcullen/Lusmagh-Offaly.  Kiltale got off to a flying start with a comprehensive win against their hosts Birr.  Best for Kiltale were Katie Quinn, Aoife Weston & Ciara Donoghue.  Final 3-9 to 0-1.

Kiltales next match was against a much fancied Drumcullen/Lusmagh.  This was a titanic battle with both teams putting in a great performance.  Niamh Courtney, between the posts for Kiltale, proved essential with some excellent saves.  Other great performances from the full back line Chelsey Weldon, Emma Mc Loughlin & Fia O’Brien.  In midfield Cheyanne ‘Brien and Jessica Moriarty ran their socks off and were key to Kiltales win. Dara Mc Cormack had a great game at wing forward.  Final score 3-2 to 2-1. 

Kiltale needed to win their last group match against Glenealy, Wicklow to ensure a semi final spot.  This match proved to be a mother and father of a battle.  Amy Hegarty, Taylor Little and Aoife Weston were outstanding.  With two minutes to go Niamh Courtney again saved Kiltales bacon with a superb save in the dying moments of the game.  Final Score 2-3 to 2-2.  The scenes were emotional as Kiltale reached a National semi final for the first time in their short club history. 

Kiltale girls faced the much fancied Naomh Brid side from Coolderry, Offaly who beat Dunboyne in preliminary rounds.  This match was to be Kiltales finest hour.  With tremendous travelling support Kiltale raised their game to a new level.  Naomh Brid had no answer to the onslaught from Kiltale.  Tossie Byrne Kiltale Manager, stated at half time, that for the first time ever he couldn’t take any player to task .  Every player on the field was tremendous.  Sarah Kelly gave an exhibition at corner forward.  Kate Lawless was a force to be reckoned with at full forward scoring goals galore. Final Score 6-4 to 1-0.

Cheyenne O’Brien Kiltale Captain had the honour of leading her team onto O’Brien Park, Tullamore for the Division 3 All Ireland Final against the Kerry County Development team.  Club v County, nevertheless Kiltale weren’t over awed.  This was a great match with outstanding performances from Cliodhna O’Sullivan.  Kerry loaded their back line and thwarted Kiltale attacks.  Kiltale were guilty of missed opportunities fro frees which proved to be the difference between Kerry & Kiltale.  Kerry emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins to take the All Ireland title from the Kiltales grasp.

Joan O’Flynn President of the Camogie Association and Valerie Curtis Chairperson Meath Camogie spoke in the Kiltale Dressing room after the game.  They both congratulated Kiltale on a superb fast and skilful game.  They stated that the team represented their Club & County with pride and passion and that they should hold their heads high and recognise this wonderful achievement.

U14 B Championship Final – 20th June 2009

Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-1 V Ratoath 1-0.

Despite the fact that there were only two scores in the sixty minutes of this game, this was no reflection of the excitement and intensity of this championship final. With the wind behind Donaghmore/Ashbourne in the first half they maintained a lot of the possession in their half. Sarah O’Conor made sure that little or nothing got past her making life easy for goal keeper Rebecca Wilson. Anticipation was high for Don/Ash to score after numerous attempts that unfortunately went wide. Eventually Katie Byrne found space and scored a brilliant point from play.

Half Time Score. Don / Ash 0-1 Ratoath 0-0

The second half saw a more determined Ratoath team come out. Despite great defending from Don/Ash, Ratoath continued to apply the pressure. With 10 minutes to go a free in to Ratoath, saw the ball eventually make its way into the Don/Ash net. From then on it could have gone either way. Both teams battled on well, with Don/Ash making some shuffles to try to regain the lead. With only 5 minutes left to play Lauren Battersby