Monaghan 3-08
Meath 2-08

A hat trick of Monaghan goals in the second half of this highly fought contest paved the way for a third successive defeat for the Royal County at Ashbourne. Many might feel that the Royals could be in trouble, however Lar Wall and Martin Connolly, Meath's joint managers will be happy with the steady progress their team is making. In fact,

Meath were the better team for large amounts of this contest, they led at the break and minor errors allowed Monaghan in to attack in the second half. Another loss perhaps, but this season is a marathon, not a sprint.

It was Monaghan who were first on the scoreboard with two point in the opening minutes of the fixture from Cathriona McConnell and Eileen McKenna. Meath pulled a point back courtesy of a Katie O'Brien free, after O'Brien herself had been fouled. Monaghan extended their lead with scores from the very impressive McKenna and Ellen McCarron. Meath's response came midway through the half when an Aine Bennett effort was saved by Monaghan netminder Aisling Tierney, Colleen Jordan chased up the stray ball, found Vivienne McCormack in space and the Clann na nGael player needed no second urgings to send a high ball back into the square, indeed it even travelled past Tierney and landed in the top left hand corner of the net. Game on! McCarron and Geraldine Doherty traded scores with before Sinead McCormack added Meath's third point with a super high effort about 30m out. Meath's pressure was continuous, with Katie O'Brien, Geraldine Doherty, Vivienne McCormack and Bridgetta Lynch Meath's protagonists. Tight defending by Emma Troy and Lauren McCann saw off Monaghan dangers and forced them wide. Katie O'Brien had the final say of a tense first half with a lovely point creeping inside the near post when she sent her marker the wrong way. A string of Meath wides at the end of the half highlighted their dominance and it was definitely the Royals that went in the happier at the break, Meath 1-04, Monaghan 0-06.

The second half got underway with Monaghan down one player having had Ciara Duffy sin binned at the end of the first half. Colleen Jordan pointed for the Royals in the 33rd min to put them three in front, however their lead was levelled when Caoimhe Mohan put the ball past Irene Munnelly in goals in the 35 th min. The teams traded scores once again, both frees with Doherty pointing for Meath and McConnell for Monaghan. Doherty put Meath a point in front on 43 mins from a tight angle. Monaghan's response was immediate, a goal from McConnell and a point from McCarron to put them a goal up. 2-7 to 1-7. Doherty again pointed on 48 mins reducing the gap to two. With Emma Troy and Jenny Rispin firm at the back, Meath were doing all in their power to dig out a result. Monaghan however had other ideas and scored their third goalcourtesy of substitute Ciara Duffy on 50 mins. Meath still determined worked the ball further up the pitch once more. Bridgetta Lynch was fouled and referee Gavin Corrigan awarded a penalty which substitute Aine Bennett duly put away with aplomb. With just two points between the teams and five minutes to play Meath pressed their attack, however Monaghan had the last say when Caoimhe Mohan pointed. Despite a late attempt from Emma Troy it finished in Ashbourne with Monaghan three points to the good, incidentally the same margin they defeated
Meath by last year in the league. It finished in Ashbourne, Meath 2-08, Monaghan 3-08.

Despite this being Meath's third loss in the campaign, Meath have huge reason to be optimistic. With a break in the league next weekend Meath will use it to rest up and celebrate last season. The team has improved on each round of the league and they can confident heading into ties against Tyrone, Donegal, Mayo and Laois. The reintroduction to the panel of Shauna Bennett and Eileen Rahill will only serve to strengthen Meath's management's team selection. Best for Meath today were Katie O'Brien, Emma Troy, Vivienne McCormack, Bridgetta Lynch and Geraldine Doherty.

Meath Team and Scorers: Irene Munnelly, Orla Byrne, Aedin Murray, Lauren McCann, Shauna Ennis, Maire O'Shaughnessy, Emma Troy, Sinead McCormack (0-01), Vivienne McCormack (1-00), Tracy King, Bridgetta Lynch, Katie O'Brien (0-02, 1f), Geraldine Doherty (0-04, 1f), Colleen Jordan (0-01), Aine Bennett (1-00).
Subs: Sinead Coyle for King, Jenny Rispin for Bennett, Shauna Bennett for Orla Byrne, Niamh Lister for Lauren McCann, Laura Bagnall for Maire O'Shaughnessy.

Monaghan: Aisling Tierney, Aoife McAnespie, Nicole Fahy, Christina Reilly, Grainne McNally, Sharon Courtney, Yvonne Connell, Eileen McKenna (0-3), Caoimhe
Courtney, Therese McNally, Caoimhe Mohan (1-1), Anita Newell, Cathriona McConnell (1-2), Ciara McAnespie, Ellen McCarron (0-2).
Subs: Ciara Duffy (1-0), Sharon Courtney and Niamh Kindlon

Referee: Gavin Corrigan Tweet

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