Meath 2-19   Tipperary 3-19

Meath Ladies bowed out of the TG4 Intermediate Championship in somewhat dramatic style on Saturday at Semple Stadium in Thurles. But, it wasn't for the lack of effort!

At the start of 2017 Meath Ladies Gaelic Football were at rock bottom! Struggling against the tide! They narrowly avoided the drop into Division four of the NFL by the skin of their teeth. They were in disarray. Meath Ladies couldn't even get a challenge game as they were deemed ''no hopers'' and ''not a good enough challenge''!!!

Upped stepped Eamon Murray and his team of Paul Garrigan, Paddy Dowling and Michelle Grimes. The management team didn't take long to put the girls through their paces and with Wicklow looming in the Leinster championship quarter final serious work got under way.

Still ranked as complete outsiders the girls had a point to prove. A home game and a comfortable win in Pairc Tailteann settled the nerves and Meath had won a precious victory in the Championship. Things were looking good and the spirit and determination had somewhat returned to the Meath camp. Round two saw Meath take on the Leinster favourites Wexford. Meath lost out to Wexford for the second time this year but with a much improved performance. A loss but a better display all round. The girls on the up now put Longford out of the championship at the Semi-Final stage. A Leinster adult Final for the first time in seventeen years and old foes Wexford would be the opposition and undeniable favourites. Meath dug deep in this game and with much nail biting and gasps from the crowd emerged victorious. Meath were Intermediate Leinster Champions. A few days off to take in the reality that we were Leinster Champions!

Back to the grindstone!

2016 Finalists Clare were next up and the girls by now were starting to believe. A long trip to Kinnitty, plenty of bumpy roads to negotiate before they even reached the pitch. Clare were out and out favourites for this game and when they hit a 2 - 02 salvo midway through the first half this seemed to spell the end for Meath even at this early stage.

Up stepped Captain Niamh O'Sullivan just before half time to blast a cracker of a goal to the back of the Clare net. This at least gave Meath a glimmer of hope going into the dressing room. But no one had seen the ''real Meath team'' until now.

The girls came out buoyed up in the second half and clawed their way back into the game. They fought tooth and nail to the bitter end and emerged victorious by a single point. Only now were people starting to take Meath seriously. A lot of this group for the most part are young and inexperienced at this level of football. But they had just landed themselves an All Ireland Semi-Final spot.

The opposition here were to be last years All Ireland beaten semi finalists Tipperary.

The game started at a frantic pace with neither side getting the upper hand until a fabulous point by Aoibhin Cleary popped Meath into the lead. Neither team were conceding an inch and going point for point. Up stepped Orla O'Dwyer to put the ball into the Meath net past the on rushing Orlagh McLaughlin to give the Tipp girls the advantage. In what can only be considered a ''minute of madness'' Meath conceded 2 - 02 without reply when Gillian O'Brian sent another ball crashing into the Meath net stunning the players and supporters alike. Ten minutes into the second half it looked all over. The Premier County were twelve points to the good.

For most of the final quarter the game belonged to Meath. They clawed their way back and when Stacey Grimes hit the back of the net from a penalty the girls found a new energy. The Royals hit 1 - 04 without reply. But it was a long way back for Meath and just one step too far. Once again a heart stopping display of football from Meath players. In the end the experience of Tipperary saw them over the line. Just!! A three point win for last year's beaten semi finalists and a final berth for them in Croke Park.    

This has been a topsy turvy year for Meath Ladies football. Time and time again Meath were dismissed as just another team to get points from. But to be fair to the girls and management have answered the critics and come back with a bang! They have stood up and been counted! Bet your life on this! They WILL be back.

Speaking after the game on Saturday Captain Niamh O'Sullivan said that although everyone was very disappointed at going out of the championship at this stage they would all be taking a lot of ''positives'' from the game and the season in general. She thanked the girls, the management and the county board for their support. Niamh also thanked the fantastic support of all the friends and families who travelled far and wide throughout the year.

Meath scorers: Stacey Grimes 1 - 04 (1-0 pen, 0-3f), Marion Farrelly 1 - 02, Aoibhin Cleary 0 - 05, Niamh O'Sullivan 0 - 03, E Troy (0 - 02)Vikki Wall 0 - 02, Orla Byrne 0 - 01.

Meath: Orlagh McLaughlin, Aideen Guy, Emma White, Emma Troy(0-02), Aoibhin Cleary (0-05), Vikki Wall(0-02), Niamh Gallogly, Maire O'Shaughnessy, Kate Byrne, Megan Thynne, Orla Byrne(0-01), Katie Newe, Stacey Grimes (1-04 (1p 3f), Niamh O'Sullivan(0-03), Marion Farrelly (1-02). Subs: Paula Dunne for White, Niamh Lister for Newe, Bláthnaid Keogh for O. Byrne.

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