Bord Gáis Energy National Ladies Football League Round 3

Meath 0-08

Monaghan 1-08

Meath travelled to Tyholland in Monaghan  yesterday (Sunday 19th) to take on last year's All Ireland finalists in round three of the National League. Monaghan last year knocked out the Royals out of contention for silverware in the 2011 All Ireland Quarter Final.

It was the home team  who came out of the starting blocks first and notched up 1-02 before Meath made their first score . Monaghan corner forward Caoimhe Mohan got Monaghan  off to a good start with a point in the second minute. All Star forward Ciara McAnespie doubled Monaghan's advantage in the sixth minute. The Meath defence really struggled to cope with the pace of the Monaghan forwards in the opening period. Good teamwork from wing forwards Theresa McNally and Cora Courtney opened the Royal defence and when Irene Munnelly came off her line Caoimhe Mohan took her chance to lob the ball into the left corner on ten minutes. This set back seemed to shock Meath into action as they began attacking in droves. The midfield partnership of Fiona Mahon and Shauna Bennett worked doggedly and the Meath forwards ran every inch of grass in pursuit of the ball. Katie O'Brien got Meath onto the scoreboard from a converted free from a difficult angle in the 12th min.

Scores were proving hard to come by on both sides as both defences were on top of their game. Mohan added to her tally on 18 mins, but it was clear that Meath were getting the better of their markers and were retaining possession a little easier than earlier in the game. After some difficult attacks that fell short, Mary Sheridan kicked a high long range point on 21 mins and this unleashed the Meath forwards. On the resumption, super running from Emma Troy combined with Kate Byrne saw the Duleek-Bellewstown player point on her first senior inter-county match. It was all Meath traffic at this point, with Aoife Thompson also getting in on the action on 24 mins, swiftly followed by Meath captain Katie O'Brien on 25 mins who also pointed with ease to leave Meath behind by just one point. With Meath moving the ball well it was only a matter of time before they drew level - and on 27 mins after another swarming attack Kate Byrne was fouled, and Katie O'Brien made no mistake with the free to level the match - Meath 0-06, Monaghan 1-03. It was Monaghan however who got the last score of the half, when after 12 mins of no scoring Ciara McAnespie sent Monaghan in at the break just one point up. The half time whistle blew to the relief possibly of both sides - Meath 0-06, Monaghan 1-04.

Substitute and 2011 All Star Niamh Kindlon doubled Monaghan's advantage on 35 mins, but this half was much tighter. The game was played in a narrow manner with neither team willing to give up. Cathriona McConnell pulled the Farney County clear on 36 mins and sent Meath chasing a three point lead. Vivienne McCormack who had made darting runs all afternoon pointed her first on 37 mins while Monaghan missed some chances at the other end. A short kick out by Munnelly to Jenny Rispin on 45 mins and McConnell picked up the loose ball and placed it firmly over the black spot. The Meath defence were not to be outdone so easy and Aedin Murray pushed her team on, creating attacking opportunities. The Navan O'Mahonys player has really made the full back position her own, tackling some of the country's top players.

Today was no different as she closely marked Ciara McAnespie, keeping the 2011 All Star to just two points. While further Meath attacks came to nothing, they never gave up and were rewarded on 50 mins when McCormack doubled her tally for the match bringing Meath's defecit down to just two points. While Meath supporters were hoping for a miracle, Meath ran out of time. There was just time for one more Monaghan point which came in the form of a Theresa McNally free to put just three points between the teams. Later efforts were all spurned wide after solid Meath pressure. It finished in Tyholland with Monaghan the happier, but only just, Meath 0-08, Monaghan 1-08.

All in all it was a solid Meath performance. Handling errors cost the Meath side dearly at times and this is something manager Paula Cunningham will want to work at in training, but they defended really well, and attacked when given the chance. They were positive in their approach and this attitude will surely save them well for the rest of the League. In Katie O'Brien, they have a very hard-working captain who gives her all for the cause and is a terrific role model for the younger newer members of the panel. Best for Meath on the day were Aedin Murray, Emma Troy, Fiona Mahon, Katie O'Brien and Vivienne McCormack.

The National League takes a break next weekend. Attention turns to last year's Under 19 Division One Final between Boardsmill and Oldcastle. This match is fixed for Saturday 25th but time and venue is still to be announced. Division One and Two League relegation finals also take place. Blackhall Gaels and Duleek-Bellewstown will compete to save themselves for relegation in Division One while in Division Two Dee Rangers will want to defeat Summerhill to maintain their recent good form. Up next for the Meath Ladies is a home tie against All Ireland Champions Cork on Sunday 4th March where their work will be most definitely cut out for them.

The Meath Ladies County Board would like to congratulate Katie O'Brien on her appointment as Meath Ladies Captain for 2012, and also to Mary Sheridan and Jenny Rispin who have been appointed as joint Vice-Captains.

Meath Team & Scorers: Irene Munnelly, Hazel Dennedy, Aedin Murray, Orla Sheridan, Emma Troy, Eileen Rahill, Kellie Allen, Shauna Bennett, Fiona Mahon, Mary Sheridan (0-01), Katie O'Brien (0-03, 2F, Capt.), Vivienne McCormack (0-02), Jenny Rispin, Aoife Thompson (0-01), Kate Byrne (0-01).

Subs: Laura Dempsey for Byrne (45 mins), Colleen Jordan for Thompson (52 mins).

Monaghan Team & Scorers: Fiona Callan, Joanne Courtney, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Grainne McNally, Laura McEnaney, Aoife McAnespie, Nicola Fahy, Eileen McKenna, Theresa McNally (0-01), Cathriona McConnell (0-02), Cora Courtney, Ciara McAnespie (0-02), Ellen McCarron, Caoimhe Mohan (1-02).

Sub: Niamh Kindlon (0-01) for McCarron.

Meath travelled to Tyholland in Monaghan  yesterday (Sunday 19th) to take on last year's All Ireland finalists in round three of the National League. Monaghan last year knocked out the Royals out of contention for silverware in the 2011 All Ireland Quarter Final.

It was the home team  who came out of the starting blocks first and notched up 1-02 before Meath made their first score . Monaghan corner forward Caoimhe Mohan got Monaghan  off to a good start with a point in the second minute. All Star forward Ciara McAnespie doubled Monaghan's advantage in the sixth minute. The Meath defence really struggled to cope with the pace of the Monaghan forwards in the opening period. Good teamwork from wing forwards Theresa McNally and Cora Courtney opened the Royal defence and when Irene Munnelly came off her line Caoimhe Mohan took her chance to lob the ball into the left corner on ten minutes. This set back seemed to shock Meath into action as they began attacking in droves. The midfield partnership of Fiona Mahon and Shauna Bennett worked doggedly and the Meath forwards ran every inch of grass in pursuit of the ball. Katie O'Brien got Meath onto the scoreboard from a converted free from a difficult angle in the 12th min.

Scores were proving hard to come by on both sides as both defences were on top of their game. Mohan added to her tally on 18 mins, but it was clear that Meath were getting the better of their markers and were retaining possession a little easier than earlier in the game. After some difficult attacks that fell short, Mary Sheridan kicked a high long range point on 21 mins and this unleashed the Meath forwards. On the resumption, super running from Emma Troy combined with Kate Byrne saw the Duleek-Bellewstown player point on her first senior inter-county match. It was all Meath traffic at this point, with Aoife Thompson also getting in on the action on 24 mins, swiftly followed by Meath captain Katie O'Brien on 25 mins who also pointed with ease to leave Meath behind by just one point. With Meath moving the ball well it was only a matter of time before they drew level - and on 27 mins after another swarming attack Kate Byrne was fouled, and Katie O'Brien made no mistake with the free to level the match - Meath 0-06, Monaghan 1-03. It was Monaghan however who got the last score of the half, when after 12 mins of no scoring Ciara McAnespie sent Monaghan in at the break just one point up. The half time whistle blew to the relief possibly of both sides - Meath 0-06, Monaghan 1-04.

Substitute and 2011 All Star Niamh Kindlon doubled Monaghan's advantage on 35 mins, but this half was much tighter. The game was played in a narrow manner with neither team willing to give up. Cathriona McConnell pulled the Farney County clear on 36 mins and sent Meath chasing a three point lead. Vivienne McCormack who had made darting runs all afternoon pointed her first on 37 mins while Monaghan missed some chances at the other end. A short kick out by Munnelly to Jenny Rispin on 45 mins and McConnell picked up the loose ball and placed it firmly over the black spot. The Meath defence were not to be outdone so easy and Aedin Murray pushed her team on, creating attacking opportunities. The Navan O'Mahonys player has really made the full back position her own, tackling some of the country's top players.

Today was no different as she closely marked Ciara McAnespie, keeping the 2011 All Star to just two points. While further Meath attacks came to nothing, they never gave up and were rewarded on 50 mins when McCormack doubled her tally for the match bringing Meath's defecit down to just two points. While Meath supporters were hoping for a miracle, Meath ran out of time. There was just time for one more Monaghan point which came in the form of a Theresa McNally free to put just three points between the teams. Later efforts were all spurned wide after solid Meath pressure. It finished in Tyholland with Monaghan the happier, but only just, Meath 0-08, Monaghan 1-08.

All in all it was a solid Meath performance. Handling errors cost the Meath side dearly at times and this is something manager Paula Cunningham will want to work at in training, but they defended really well, and attacked when given the chance. They were positive in their approach and this attitude will surely save them well for the rest of the League. In Katie O'Brien, they have a very hard-working captain who gives her all for the cause and is a terrific role model for the younger newer members of the panel. Best for Meath on the day were Aedin Murray, Emma Troy, Fiona Mahon, Katie O'Brien and Vivienne McCormack.

The National League takes a break next weekend. Attention turns to last year's Under 19 Division One Final between Boardsmill and Oldcastle. This match is fixed for Saturday 25th but time and venue is still to be announced. Division One and Two League relegation finals also take place. Blackhall Gaels and Duleek-Bellewstown will compete to save themselves for relegation in Division One while in Division Two Dee Rangers will want to defeat Summerhill to maintain their recent good form. Up next for the Meath Ladies is a home tie against All Ireland Champions Cork on Sunday 4th March where their work will be most definitely cut out for them.

The Meath Ladies County Board would like to congratulate Katie O'Brien on her appointment as Meath Ladies Captain for 2012, and also to Mary Sheridan and Jenny Rispin who have been appointed as joint Vice-Captains.

Meath Team & Scorers: Irene Munnelly, Hazel Dennedy, Aedin Murray, Orla Sheridan, Emma Troy, Eileen Rahill, Kellie Allen, Shauna Bennett, Fiona Mahon, Mary Sheridan (0-01), Katie O'Brien (0-03, 2F, Capt.), Vivienne McCormack (0-02), Jenny Rispin, Aoife Thompson (0-01), Kate Byrne (0-01).

Subs: Laura Dempsey for Byrne (45 mins), Colleen Jordan for Thompson (52 mins).

Monaghan Team & Scorers: Fiona Callan, Joanne Courtney, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Grainne McNally, Laura McEnaney, Aoife McAnespie, Nicola Fahy, Eileen McKenna, Theresa McNally (0-01), Cathriona McConnell (0-02), Cora Courtney, Ciara McAnespie (0-02), Ellen McCarron, Caoimhe Mohan (1-02).

Sub: Niamh Kindlon (0-01) for McCarron.