Meath qualify for another Leinster LGFA SFC final after impressive win over Kildare

Having captured All-Ireland and league crowns, the provincial championship has been the one title that has eluded the county in recent years but they will get another chance to set the record straight when they again take on Dublin in this year’s decider at Croke Park.

Prior to that, the counties will clash in the final round of the group stage at Parnell Park next Sunday but that is now a dead rubber after both won their round two ties.

Visitors Kildare, with a growing reputation following a recent Division 2 league success on the back of an All-Ireland intermediate title, provided a stern test but Meath’s greater knowhow was a decisive factor throughout.

The Lilywhites brought plenty of enthusiasm and no little skill and closed a nine-point gap to just three with 10 minutes remaining but Meath showed all of their experience as they not only kept their opponents at arm’s length but finished strongly to record a thoroughly deserved win.

Goalkeeper and captain Monica McGuirk made an important block in the closing stages, while Máire O’Shaughnessy, who covered every blade of grass, the tearaway Niamh Gallogly, Mark Kate Lynch, Megan Thynne and Emma Duggan also played crucial roles, as well as youngsters Ella Moyles and Nicole Troy, in their first championship season, and Ciara Smyth, who enhanced their reputation.

Meath had the advantage of a stiff breeze throughout the opening half and made the most of the elements in their favour as they raced into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead by the 13th minute. Five different players contributed with Aoibhín Cleary, O’Shaughnessy, Smyth and Shelly Melia all hitting excellent scores.

The hosts lost Áine Sheridan to an injury after 15 minutes, while Kildare were hampered by the loss of midfielder Hazel McLoughlin, who was forced off after picking up a knock early in the second quarter.

Meath were ahead by 0-7 to 0-2 when Marion Farrelly pounced on a short kickout and passed to Moyles who found Duggan and the Dunboyne star found the net to take her tally to 1-3 by the 18th minute.

Kildare replied with points from Ellen Dowling (free) and Ruth Sargent but Meath then struck for a decisive second goal on 29 minutes. Katie Newe and Smyth combined to set up Gallogly cutting in from the left and the wing-back produced a great finish low to the net.

That left Meath nine points clear and they eventually finished the half leading by 2-7 to 0-5.

Kildare started the second half in determined mood but they managed four wides and just one point, from Dowling, in the opening six minutes of the half. Farrelly blasted over the crossbar after Kildare ’keeper Mary Hulgraine lost possession as she progressed from goal but Kildare enjoyed a productive spell after that during which they reduced the deficit to 2-8 to 0-11.

Niamh Farrelly (two frees), Erin Brereton-Foley and Neasa Dooley (two) were on target for Diane O’Hora’s side in that period to set-up an interesting final 10 minutes.

Meath, though, held firm and substitute Meadhbh Byrne, Thynne and the outstanding Gallogly were all on target to firmly quench the Kildare revival.

Sarah Munnelly hit the game’s final point before McGuirk kept her goal intact with that late save.

MEATH: Monica McGuirk; Áine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Nicole Troy; Niamh Gallogly 1-1, Lisa Young, Katie Newe; Máire O’Shaughnessy 0-1, Aoibhín Cleary 0-1; Megan Thynne 0-1, Shelly Melia 0-1, Ciara Smyth 0-1; Ella Moyles, Marion Farrelly 0-1, Emma Duggan 1-3 (0-2f). Subs: Ciara Lawlor for Sheridan (15), Meadhbh Byrne 0-1 for Farrelly (40), Aisling McCabe for Cleary (59).

KILDARE: Mary Hulgraine; Fiona Troute, Ellie O’Toole, Mia Doherty; Lauren Murtagh, Ruth Sargent 0-1, Lara Gilbert; Grace Clifford, Hazel McLoughlin 0-1; Trina Duggan, Ellen Dowling 0-2 (1f), Claire Sullivan; Neasa Dooley 0-2, Niamh Farrelly 0-4 (4f), Aoife Rattigan. Subs: Laoise Lenehan for O’Toole (15), Leah Doran for McLoughlin (19), Erin Brereton-Foley 0-1 for Rattigan (41), Sarah Munnelly 0-1 for Doherty (55), Holly Tyrrell for Clifford (58).

REFEREE: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath).