MEATH LADIES
Aisling McGing Memorial Championship Round 1
Meath v Kildare
Monday 7th May at 2pm
Blackhall Gaels GFC, Co. Meath

Half Time: Meath 1-03 v Kildare 1-02
Full Time: Meath 2-08 v Kildare 2-03

At times it wasn't pretty but the Royals got through a tough rain soaked Kildare challenge to open their Aisling McGing Memorial Championship with a win today in Blackhall Gaels. Leading by a solitary point at half time, Meath pushed on in the second half to finish with five to spare. Many of Meath's players playing today donned the Royal jersey for the first time and gave a good account of themselves ahead of clashes with Cork, Dublin and Kerry in the upcoming weeks.

It was Kildare who got on the scoreboard first when Meath goalkeeper was dispossessed and Kildare's Serena Dowdall found the back of the net in the opening minute of the game. The teams traded scores on the 10th and 13th minutes with Meath's Leighanne Woods splitting the posts from a free. Kildare went a further point ahead courtesy of Sinead McHugh who was a thorn in the Meath defence in the opening stages. However this is as far as Kildare got to score in the opening half as Meath dominated possession for the remaining fifteen minutes. Meath missed several chances to go ahead, and pointed twice more from Rachel Andrews and Rebecca Goodwin, with Goodwin's point coming from a super through pass from substitute Tracy King. King's substitution proved a timely won as she closely marked Sinead McHugh for the remainder of the contest. At half time Meath were a point in front as the rain fell solidly. Meath 1-03 v Kildare 1-02.

The second half began still with the rain pouring and Oldcastle's Emma Healy popped over a point for her first of the contest to put two between the teams. A handling error allowed Kildare in for their second goal and put them a point ahead in the 38th minute. Fresh legs for the Meath side in the form of Shannon Clarke, Tara Ryan and McCann sisters Lauren and Adrienne proved crucial as Meath dominated possession once more. Healy added her second point from close range on 47 mins to bring the game level. Tara Ryan put Meath ahead after a Kildare free was intercepted by Shannon Clarke and the player from Duleek Bellewstown did superbly to find Ryan in space. While a blood injury to Meath's Treasa Sheridan did slow both teams down for the remaining ten minutes, Meath were all the more determined and Rachel Andrews pointed on 52 mins to put daylight and two points between the teams. A super long range point from Adrienne McCann on 56 mins stretched Meath's lead to three. Kildare pulled a point back on 58 mins to apply pressure to the Royals but up popped Emma Healy in the last minute to round up a loose ball from Tara Ryan, chase it to the corner flag and bring it back to finish superbly under Kildare keeper Aoife Molyneaux's legs and into the back of the net. It finished with Meath up by five - Meath 2-08, Kildare 2-03.

Meath showed a determination and grit which will serve them well in the remainder of their competition. Cork, Dublin and Kerry all lie in wait for the Royals with a trip to the Rebel County next up for Meath next Sunday 13th May. With the Royals only coming together they still have work to do after today but will be encouraged by their display. Best for Meath today were Emer Keane, Claire Donohue, Gemma Byrne, Briona Rowe, Emma Healy, Leighanne Woods and Tracy King. Congratulations to Briona Rowe from Dee Rangers who was named as Captain of the team, and to Treasa Sheridan from Dunsany who was named as vice-captain!

Meath Team & Scorers: Monica McGuirk, Kim Saurin, Claire Donoghue, Emer Keane, Eimear Brady, Kathy Butler, Gemma Byrne, Briona Rowe (C), Michelle Horan, Rebecca Goodwin (0-01), Treasa Sheridan, Emma Healy (1-02), Leighanne Woods (0-01), Rachel Andrews (1-02), Ailbhe McHugh.
Subs: Tracy King for Brady, Shannon Clarke for Horan, Tara Ryan (0-01) for Goodwin, Adrienne McCann (0-01) for McHugh, Lauren McCann for Butler. Aileen Coyle, Sarah Stanley, Niamh Keane, Niamh Crowe.

Upcoming Fixtures: Sunday 13th May:
Aisling McGing Memorial Championship Round 2: Cork v Meath in Cork. Venue and time tbc.
Leinster U14 Championship 'A' Final: Meath v Dublin - Venue and time tbc.

The Aisling McGing Championship is for counties that have second teams.
Remaining competition dates are as follows:
Rd 2: Away v Cork 13th May
Rd 3: Meath home v Kerry 20th May
Rd 4: Away v Dublin 27th May

Play offs: 9th/10th June
Semi finals: 16th/17th June
Final: 30 June / 1st July

Meath Senior B Management team: John Mulvany, Bryan Barry, Aisling Clery, Eugene McGillick. Tweet

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