Meath 2-10 Wexford 2-14

Meath and Wexford played their Leinster under 16B final in the grounds of Portlaoise on Saturday in glorious sunny weather and the supporters of both teams were served up a cracking game. The throw in was delayed by 15 minutes to allow the streams of supporters in to watch the game as the venue was also holding the Under 14 Finals as well. 

The match began at 2.15pm and Wexford were first out of the blocks with a score on 3 minutes from the boot of corner forward Kate Tomkins from a free. Meath immediately responded with a well taken point from Jessica Briody within a minute. Meath struck again with the full forward hitting the net 3 minutes later to raise the first of the green flags. Tomkins pointed another free for Wexford on 9 minutes as the match moved up and down the pitch with relentless speed. Anna Donnelly fired over a point to put Meath further ahead immediately and repeated the feat a minute later as Meath seemed to take control with slick inter passing. Lucy O’Connell pointed on 10 minutes to further assert control which was a purple patch for Meath. Wexford composed themselves and slowly worked themselves back into the game and were rewarded with a goal from Leah Roban, a move she started on the left wing and got on the end of quick passing to finish well. In response Erin McNulty swung over a superb left footed shot on the quarter mark from 30 yards out to point for Meath. Kate Tomkins landed a free on 16 minutes to keep Wexford within striking distance. Meath attacked again but hit 3 wides in a 3-minute spell up to the 21st minute which lost them momentum. Wexford again pointed a free on 24 minutes from Tomkins who was beginning to punish every infraction. Meath had another attempt but failed to hit the target and Wexford drew the game level with a point on 29 minutes from the industrious Maura Doyle in midfield. This seemed to give Wexford renewed vigour and they completed their half with another pointed free from Tomkins before referee Ciaran Groome sounded for the interval. 

Wexford a point to the good at half time 1-06 to 1-05.

The second half continued as the first half finished as Wexford were faster to the breaking ball and in the competitive early exchanges they gained the upper hand. A free after 2 minutes from Tomkins again was quickly followed by another a minute later. Anna Donnelly pointed for Meath on 39 minutes to keep Meath ticking over but good running from Katie Ní Lusaigh and Caoimhe McGonigle was a constant threat to the Meath defences. Kate Tomkins was set up for a point from play on 41 minutes and quickly followed up a minute later with another. Jessica Briody fired over a response from Meath on 43 minutes and Katie Ryan responded for Wexford a minute later. Meath went up the field again at pace and Áine Downes punished Wexford with a well taken free on the three-quarter hour mark. Mega Hayes the Wexford centre back burst through the Meath defence and pointed on 49 minutes and Anna Donnelly responded with a free on 50 minutes. Kate Tomkins repeated her free taking skills again on 53 minutes and Jessica Briody broke through again on 58 mins to reduce the deficit to 3 points. Meath felt they had a chance to make further inroads but Wexford broke down the field and eventually the ball ended up in Emily Roban’s hands and she fired the ball to the net despite the brave attempts by the Meath defence. Meath had another free and Áine Downes struck the upright with a powerful shot and the ball broke down the field as Meath scrambled to contain the attack they conceded another free. Up stepped Tomkins once more to cap off a fine display, earning player of the match, to point the resultant free on 62 minutes. In a final act of the game Downes fired to the net with time up. The resultant kickout was met with the sound of the final whistle and Wexford were ecstatic in the celebrations. Disappointment for the Meath girls who fought bravely but will feel they left large parts of the game behind them.

Fulltime Score: Meath 2-10 Wexford 2-14

Meath Team and scorers: Ava Fitzsimons, Ava O’Toole, Hannah Briody, Niamh Byrne, Sophie Foran, Niamh Summerville, Eabha Hanley, Aoife Donohoe, Ashley Kosturik, Lucy O’Connell (0-1), Anna Donnelly (0-5, 1f), Ella McGlue (c), Grace Hanley, Jessica Briody (1-3), Erin McNulty.

Subs: Áine Downes (1-1f) for Grace Hanley 42 mins, Cara Brennan for Kosturik 50 mins, Abigail Gough for O’Connell 52 mins, Isabel Delaney for McGlue 58 mins

Wexford Team and scorers: Ava Skye Byrne, Ríona Byrne, Ellie Twomey, Clodagh Doyle, Rebecca Keating (c), Megan Hayes (0-1), Lucy Beggy, Caoimhe McGonigle (0-1), Maura Doyle, Eimear Kehoe, Leah Roban (1-0), Katie Ní Lusaigh, Kate Tomkins (0-11, 8f), Katie Ryan (0-1), Emily Roban (1-0).

Subs: Emma Deegan for Ní Lusaigh 40 mins, Katie Whelan for Kehoe 45 mins

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