MEATH LADIES
Leinster Championship Semi Final
Meath v Dublin
Naomh Mearnóg, Portmarnock.
3rd July 2011 @ 1pm.
Half Time: Meath 0-05 v Dublin 0-04
Full Time: Meath 0-10 v Dublin 0-09

In the sun-soaked pitch of Naomh Mearnóg in Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, Meath proved the theory that third times a charm by dumping last year's Leinster and All Ireland champions, Dublin, out of this year's Leinster Championship by a solitary point.

Meath had met Dublin twice this year already prior to today's clash, with the Jackies coming out on top on both occasions. However today was not their day and it was a huge Royal team effort that produced a wonderful display of football that booked the Royals into the Leinster Final on July 17th against Laois.
Meath began defiantly and early Dublin challenges were well defended by the rock solid Meath defence. Dublin's Elaine Kelly opened up the scoring for the Jackies with a point on three minutes, but the St. Brigids player had to earn every step as the Meath defence gave nothing away cheaply. A foul on Shauna Bennett a minute later created Meath's opening score through the experienced boot of Elaine Duffy who converted the free on five minutes. On the resumption, Katie O'Brien this time was fouled and Duffy doubled Meath's advantage from a similar spot straight through the uprights. Not to be outdone, Dublin rallied back and two points in quick succession from Sinead Aherne and Amy Ring put Meath on the back foot momentarily.
The sides were level for the first time on ten minutes when a patient build up by the Royals involving Gráinne Nulty, Kellie Allen, Elaine Duffy and Vivienne McCormack ended with McCormack splitting the posts with ease. At the other end, Caitriona O'Shaughnessy and Eileen Rahill closed the door on several Dublin attacks, with McCormack back in support at times. Meath took the lead once more on 15 mins through Elaine Duffy but this was cancelled out on 17 mins with Aherne pointing for Dublin. While the Meath defence was under pressure they handled remarkably well with Aedin Murray, Orla Sheridan and Louise McKeever clinging to the Dublin forwards and ensuring they weren't even given an inch of space. Aedin Murray in particular was given the job of marking All Star Sinead Aherne, and the Navan O'Mahonys and DCU player did not disappoint, keeping Aherne to just four points for the 60 minutes. The half back line of Fiona Mahon, Caitriona O'Shaughnessy and Kellie Allen worked well and moved the ball forward whenever possible. Dublin attacks went wide in vain and frustration began to show on the faces of the Jackies. After a super period of play, Meath almost took a massive step into the final but referee Des McEnery ruled on a square ball. On the resumption, Meath went on the attack again and this time it was Vivienne McCormack that was fouled about 20 yards out on the left hand side. Katie O'Brien crucially stepped up and put the ball between the uprights to sneak Meath into a half time lead of the smallest margins - Meath 0-05, Dublin 0-04. While the teams made their way into the shade for half time, the crowd was left to recover in the Dublin sunlight after a thrilling thirty minutes of action. Would Dublin recover or could Meath finally shock the Capital side and knock them out of contention for the 2011 Leinster Championship?
The answers were soon to be found in an enthralling second half which started where the first half left off with Meath dominating possession - playing against a breeze that seemed to pick up in the second half. Elaine Duffy gave the Royals hope and a lead of two points with a converted free on 35 mins after the industrious Jenny Rispin was fouled. On the resumption, Meath regained possession and just as Meath's third point was well worked, so too was Gráinne Nulty's point - with Fiona Mahon, Eileen Rahill, Mary Sheridan all patiently maintaining possession and waiting for space to open up. When it did, Meath Captain Nulty wasted no time in splitting the posts to ensure Meath were leading by three. While Meath had opportunities to extend their lead further, Duffy dragged two frees wide and Royal supporters prayed that they wouldn't prove costly!

Lyndsey Peat reduced to the defecit to a brace with a point on 39 mins. Aherne reduced the gap to the minimum on 44 mins from a free and it started to look all too familiar for the Royals. With Dublin tails up, they leveled the game for the second time on 46 mins and Meath needed all the support they could get from those who had travelled to the sunny Portmarnock venue. Meath needed some inspiration and fresh legs.

They needn't have worried. Introduce 2006 All Star Geraldine Doherty whose fresh legs and accurate kicking proved the match winner for the Royals. Doherty pointed for Meath on 48 mins to leave them in front once more and added a second point almost identical to the first two minutes later to leave the Royals two in front. The game was hanging on a knife edge and with Meath confidence growing they continued to harass and attack the ball at every opportunity. Mary Sheridan and Eileen Rahill worked superbly in midfield and all over the field Meath players were working extremely hard. Aherne was judged to have been fouled on 50 mins and duly converted the free to reduce the gap once again to one point. Hard working corner forward Elaine Kelly got the leveler on 52 mins and once again Meath had to dig deep and find yet another gear. While Dublin got on the attack again, centre forward Lyndsey Peat was left loose and her goal bound effort was remarkably punched away by Meath goalkeeper Irene Munnelly and out to safety. This seemed to encourage the Royals once again and while Doherty dragged a free wide on 55 mins, her next effort just three minutes from time proved to be the match winner as Doherty slotted the ball between the posts from play. It was left to the Royals to run down the clock - so Jenny Rispin won possession of the ball and prayed for the full time whistle. When it eventually came, scenes of cheers and excitement proved why ladies football is one of the fasted growing sports in the country. Meath finished with a flourish and a huge sigh of relief - Meath 0-10 to Dublin's 0-09.

Meath have significantly improved since the National League final back in early May and if Paula Cunningham can maintain this level of commitment, energy and hunger in the Senior team then it will take quite a remarkable team to beat them. They will play Laois in the Leinster Final on Sunday 17th July in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow. Laois bet Kildare in the other semi-final in Kildare today by the minimum of margins also, 0-17 to 1-13. The stage is nicely set for the Leinster Final. It was very much a team performance in Portmarnock today with exceptional performances from Aedin Murray, Vivienne McCormack, Kellie Allen and Elaine Duffy. Meath still have work to do ahead of the Leinster Final, but will for the moment revel in the fact that they have finally beaten the Jackies at the third time of asking!

Meath Team & Scorers: Irene Munnelly, Louise McKeever, Aedin Murray, Orla Sheridan, Fiona Mahon, Caitriona O'Shaughnessy, Kellie Allen, Mary Sheridan, Eileen Rahill, Elaine Duffy (0-04), Katie O'Brien (0-01), Vivienne McCormack (0-01), Jenny Rispin, Grainne Nulty (0-01), Shauna Bennett.

Subs: Geraldine Doherty (0-03) for Duffy (45 mins), Orlagh McLaughlin, Bridgetta Lynch, Philomena Sheridan, Roisin Nulty, Ashley Leavy, Tara Ryan, Adelle Carolan, Stephanie Byrne, Cliona Murray, Samantha Monaghan, Mary Coyne, Kathy Butler, Lauren McCann, Adrienne McCann.
Referee: Des McEnery (Westmeath)

This Wednesday evening sees the 'Clash of the Titans' in the Meath Ladies Senior Championship when last year's champions St. Ultans will set about defending their title, taking on Seneschalstown in the first round. The game is fixed for a throw in time of 7.30 in Bective GFC and is sure to be an entertaining match with no fewer than 15 Senior County players involved! In a venue TBA Na Fianna will hope to build on their opening round victory over Donaghmore-Ashbourne when they take on Royal Gaels also on Wednesday evening at 7.30.

Congratulations to Seneschalstown who represented Meath in Feile na n-Og in Cork this weekend. The team was unlucky not to progress to the knockout stages after winning two of their three round games. Congratulations also to Stacey Grimes who was runner up in the Skills Competition. Tweet

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