Meath 1-9
Waterford 0-10

by John Stack

A lively and hard-fought Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 encounter in Dungarvan GAA Grounds saw Meath edge out Waterford after a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout.

Waterford, who had won all three games to date, opened the scoring inside four minutes when Kellyann Hogan converted a free, but Meath struck back almost immediately with the game’s decisive score. A dangerous delivery from Ciara Smyth caused panic in the home defence and Orla Finnegan finished clinically to the bottom corner of the net in the sixth minute.

Meath’s direct running through the middle caused Waterford problems in the early stages, though Emma Murray steadied the hosts with a point after eight minutes.

A crucial goal-saving block by Laura Mulcahy denied Megan Thynne as Meath threatened to extend their lead, but the Royals still built momentum through scores from Rachel Casserly and Marion Farrelly. Casserly, operating at full-forward, proved a constant thorn in Waterford’s side and added another point soon after.

Despite this, Waterford began to settle. Hogan (free), Áine O’Neill and Maeve Daly all raised white flags as the Déise enjoyed a strong spell of possession. Daly was unlucky not to find the net, her effort well blocked by Mary Kate Lynch.

However, two missed frees proved costly and Meath finished the half strongly with quickfire points from Farrelly and captain Niamh Gallogly to lead 1-6 to 0-5 at the break.

Meath nearly extended their advantage immediately after the restart, rattling the crossbar, but Waterford responded well. Murray, linking effectively with Claire Walsh, clipped over two fine points to narrow the gap. Substitute Meadhbh Byrne made an instant impact for Meath with a well-taken score after excellent work again from the influential Smyth, who dictated much of the play from centre forward.

Hogan kept Waterford in touch from placed balls and Walsh added a fine point from play following strong work by Cora Murray.

But Meath always had a response. Byrne struck again late on, while Smyth came close to sealing the result with a goal chance that drifted wide.

Chloe Fennell’s late free kept Waterford in contention, but Byrne’s insurance point ensured Meath held on for a deserved victory after a composed and clinical performance. 

Scorers: Meath: O Finnegan 1-0, R Casserly 0-3, M Byrne 0-3, M Farrelly 0-2, N Gallogly 0-1.

Waterford: K Hogan 0-3f, E Murray 0-3, A O'Neill 0-1, M Daly 0-1, C Walsh 0-1, C Fennell 0-1f.

MEATH: R Murray; A Sheridan, MK Lynch, K Kealy; S Murphy, A Gaffney, K Bermingham; O Sheehy, N Gallogly; M Farrelly, C Smyth, M Thynne; E Duggan, R Casserly, O Finnegan. Subs: S Wall for Gaffney (20), M Byrne for Finnegan (HT), L Wood for Murphy (40), A Reilly for Farrelly (47), O Smith for Casserly (48), O Mallon for Duggan (57).

WATERFORD: K Gardiner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, R Casey; A O'Neill, K McGrath, E Power; E Murray, K Hogan; K Murray, C Walsh, M Daly; L McGregor, B McMaugh, R Browne. Subs: C Fennell for Daly (51), A McGrath for McGregor (52), H McGrath for Murray (57), L Ní hArta for Power (57). 

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).

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