National Ladies Football League Division 2A Round 3
Meath 4-18 Clare 0-05
A SOBERING end to an otherwise enlightening National League campaign for Clare as bogey side Meath completed a facile victory to book their place in the Division 2 Semi-Finals in Páirc Tailteann in Navan on Sunday evening, reports Eoin Brennan.
Having been unceremoniously dumped out of last year’s All-Ireland Intermediate Championship by the same opposition at the penultimate stage by 21 points, Clare were made to suffer an even greater reverse as the hosts remained relentless throughout.
A blistering start of seven points inside as many minutes of the throw-in signalled Meath’s intent with Emma Duggan and Stacey Grimes to the fore. Meath’s disciplined all-out defence and all-out counter-attack style proved exceedingly frustrating for a Clare side that hit a wall every time they attempted to penetrate the home rearguard.
Points from Roisin Considine and Roisin Looney at the end of the opening two quarters were in contrast to a constant stream of Meath scores to hold a 0-13 to 0-02 advantage by the break.
Clare’s best chance of a backlash arrived five minutes into the new half but typifying their luck, Fidelma Marrinan’s effort cannoned back off the crossbar while Chloe Moloney’s offload to Cliodhna Blake from the rebound drifted wide.
Meath wouldn’t be as forgiving at the other end as they would put the result beyond any shred of doubt with four goals in the last twenty minutes through the lethal Stacey Grimes (2), Bridgetta Lynch and substitute Emma White.
However, a fifth major would be prevented at the death when Clare goalkeeper Micaela Glynn tipped away a White penalty.
New senior side Meath comfortably advance to a semi-final against Cavan next weekend whereas Clare now switch to championship mode as the All-Ireland Intermediate series in mid-July.
Meath: Monica McGuirk (Duleek/Bellewstown); Katie Newe (Ratoath), Shauna Ennis (Na Fianna), Mary Kate Lynch (Summerhill); Aoibhin Cleary (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Emma Troy (Boardsmill), Aoibheann Leahy (Navan O’Mahony’s); Orlagh Lally (Clan na nGael), Máire O’Shaughnessy (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Vikki Wall (Dunboyne), Orla Byrne (Duleek/Bellewstown), Stacey Grimes (Senchalstown); Bridgetta Lynch (Oldcastle), Emma Duggan (Dunboyne), Niamh O’Sullivan (Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels)
Subs: Emma White (St Patrick’s) for Wall (25, inj), Megan Thynne (Dunsany) for Lally (33), Niamh Gallogly (Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels) for Cleary (42, inj), Meadbh Byrne (Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels) for O’Sullivan (48), Shelly Melia (Dunboyne) for Duggan (48), Aine Sheridan (St Michael’s) for Troy (49), Aoife Farrell (Simonstown) for Newe (50), Aisling McCabe (Summerhill) for Byrne (55), Kate Byrne (Duleek/Bellewstown) for O’Shuaghnessy (55), Olivia Gore (Rathkenny) for MK. Lynch (55), Megan Peters (Kilbride) for Leahy (55), Caragh Monaghan (Senchalstown) for Grimes (56), Ali Sherlock (Clan na nGael) for B. Lynch (56), Elaine Doyle (Dunboyne) for Ennis (57)
Scorers for Meath: Stacey Grimes (2-6, 5f); Emma White (1-1); Emma Duggan, Niamh O’Sullivan (0-3 each); Bridgetta Lynch (1-0); Orlagh Lally, Aoibheann Leahy (0-2 each); Aoibhin Cleary (0-1)
Clare: Micaela Glynn (Kilmihil); Orla Devitt (Éire Óg), Siofra Ní Chonaill (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), Ellie O’Gorman (Kilmihil); Lauren Griffin (Fergus Rovers), Tara Kelly (Cúil Gaels), Sinead Considine (Liscannor); Aisling Reidy (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), Roisin Looney (Cooraclare); Roisin Considine (Liscannor), Cliodhna Blake (Doonbeg), Caoimhe Harvey (West Clare Gaels); Laura Griffey (Burren Gaels), Fidelma Marrinan (West Clare Gaels), Lizzy Roche (Burren Gaels)
Subs: Catriona Callinan (Kilmihil) for S. Considine (HT), Chloe Moloney (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Griffey (HT), Ciara McCarthy (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Blake (42), Rebecca Doohan (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Griffin (48), Aine Keane (Miltown Malbay) for Marrinan (49), Sinead O’Keeffe (Banner Ladies) for Kelly (50), Carol O’Leary (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for Roche (50), Chloe Towey (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Harvey (50), Aisling Morrissey (Cooraclare) for O’Gorman (55), Joanna Doohan (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Looney (55), Eimear Keane (Miltown Malbay) for R. Considine (55)
Scorers for Clare: Roisin Considine, Chloe Moloney (2f) (0-2 each); Roisin Looney (0-1)
Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois)