Meath 0-9   Roscommon 2-9

Two goals were all that separated Meath and Roscommon in this fixture but in truth it was much more than that. Gone was the free scoring forward line of the previous week and in its place a slightly disjointed shadow of the week before.

Meath would start the brighter giving the Roscommon backs a run for their money. Meath had several shots but didn't convert the chances. It wasn't until almost the fifth minute that Vikki Wall put over a peach of a shot from a tight angle. Again it would be another four minutes before Meath registered their second point when Emma White converted the first of her two scores.

Almost nine minutes into the game and Roscommon would register their first score, a point courtesy of midfielder Jenny Higgins. This was swiftly followed by a goal from Joanne Cregg who latched onto a ball amid a scramble in front of the Meath goal. Meath keeper McGuirk was unsighted and the ball rolled into the back of the net. Roscommon had taken a slender lead. Not to be outdone Meath clawed their way back into the game again with points from Kate Byrne, a second from Vikki Wall and one from Niamh O'Sullivan. Emma White was unlucky not to convert a goal chance when the Roscommon keeper made a fine save after White had let rip. It was going to be one of those days. Rebecca Finan then hit two for the Rossies to give them the lead again and with literally seconds from the half time whistle Fiona O'Neill drew the sides' level. Half time and it was all to play for.

The second half started much the same as the first with both sides having chances. Roscommon were first off the mark with a point before a high ball landed nicely for Alice Kelly who palmed the ball into the back of the Royals net. Meath were finding the going tough at this stage and time and time again the Roscommon backs were breaking down the Meath attack. Midway through the second half and Roscommon were gaining in confidence leading by 2-05 to six points.

On the 13th minute Vikki Wall managed to break through the defence and hit a rasper of a shot off the post. This came back into the hands of Emma White who managed to put the ball over the bar for a point. Meath were then awarded a free which Stacey Grimes duly converted.  

In the next 12 minutes Roscommon sent over four unanswered points. Meath had no answer to the Roscommon attack before Niamh O'Sullivan managed a point deep into injury time. Roscommon deserved winners on the day.

Meath will now play either Clare or Wexford in the next stage of the competition. Wexford have already accounted for Meath this year both in the rounds of the league and the division 3 final. Clare were Meaths quarter final opponents at this stage last year and lost out by a point on the day.

Whatever way you look at it this is going to be tough for Meath Ladies.

Meath: Monica McGuirk, Katie Bellew, Orlagh Lally, Orlaith Duff, Aoibhin Cleary, Shauna Ennis, Megan Thynne, Maire O'Shaughnessy, Kate Byrne (0-1), Fiona O'Neill (0-1), Niamh O'Sullivan (0-2), Stacey Grimes (0-1), Marion Farrelly, Vikki Wall (0-2), Emma White (0-2). Subs: Katie Newe for Bellew, Niamh Gallogly for O'Neill, Aoibheann Leahy for O'Shaughnessy, Orla Byrne for K. Byrne.

Roscommon: Helena Cummins, Honor Ennis, Rochelle Mullaney, Rachel Brady, Amanda McLoone, Aisling MacAuliffe, Sinead Kenny, Joanne Cregg (1-0), Jenny Higgins (0-3), Alice Kelly (1-0), Roisin Wynne, Laura Fleming, Sheila Brady (0-1), Rebecca Finan (2), Niamh Feeney. Subs: Sorcha Bruen (0-2) Jenny Downey (0-1)

Referee: Kevin Corcoran - Mayo

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