Monday, July 17, 2017

There’s no shame in being beaten by a superior team. The hurt from this reversal will sting Roscommon this week but the young ‘Primrose and Blue’ players shouldn’t be too hard on themselves. Grace O’Brien’s charges may argue that they didn’t play to their potential but, even at their best, it would have been difficult to imagine Roscommon overcoming a more powerful and skilful Meath outfit.

Meath imposed themselves for large tracts of Saturday afternoon’s semi-final at a dull and windy Kinnegad. They should have been out the gate at half time but a combination of wayward shooting, last ditch defending and couple of fine saves from Roscommon goalkeeper Marie Kelly denied them.

Roscommon were blessed to be only two points behind at the break but the dam eventually burst in the second half. The arrival of the impressive Abbie Timmons bolstered the winners’ options up front, and the goals eventually arrived from full-forward Sarah Lynch, centre-forward Lauren Grier and substitute Paula Doran.

The match was a formality from a long way out but three consolation points from Roscommon’s two best players, Louise Brady (2) and Sarah Scally, took the edge off the final scoreline.

Roscommon competed well during the opening half but it was obvious that Meath’s attack was more purposeful. When they ran at their opponents, Roscommon were opened up far too easily. Some slick hand-passing procured a variety of openings from Meath players but, luckily from a Roscommon perspective, the bulk of chances weren’t taken.

Roscommon managed to open the scoring when Ciara Corcoran’s second minute effort just cleared the crossbar. But Meath soon began to dominate as Roscommon struggled to gain possession from their own kickout.

Impressive midfielder Anna Branagan restored parity in the tenth minute before captain Aoibhin Cleary made headway before bisecting the posts with her left foot. A foul on Ailbhe Leahy allowed Grier push her side two points to the good in the 13^th minute.

However, Roscommon supporters were on their feet a minute later when Sineád Glennon goaled after Brady’s initial effort cannoned back off the crossbar. Soon afterwards, Mikaela McHugh’s goal chance went abegging when she hit the side-netting.

Meath went up the other end of the field and Kelly had no option but to drag down Niamh Cassidy when the former Clann na nGael underage player was through on goal. Grier made no mistake from the resultant penalty.

Cleary flashed a point over the bar after Rachel Troy’s blocked effort fell into her path. Leahy and Cleary were on target again as the Roscommon defence began to creak.

Corcoran responded with a free in the 27^th minute before Roscommon propelled themselves right back into contention. McHugh made a dashing run and offloaded to Glennon who found the net with her second goal of the afternoon.

Kelly denied Leahy a certain goal but Meath did manage another score when Cassidy fielded Katie Newe’s ’45 and manufactured the space for a score.

Leading by 1-7 to 2-2 at the break, Meath put the game to bed early in the second half. Timmons pointed moments after her arrival before Branagan and Grier set up Lynch for a well-taken goal. Meath were rampant now and Timmons’ long delivery allowed Grier pounce for her side’s third goal.

Timmons found the target again before Cleary landed a lovely effort with the outside of her boot. Niamh Shanagher clipped over a nice point for Roscommon but Cleary responded with her fifth point of the game.

Meath substitute Caroline Quinn and Brady, who never stopped trying, saw their shots hit the woodwork but there was still time for Dorian to add a fourth goal for the Royals.

Brady and Scally grabbed consolation scores but there was no disguising that Meath were simply far superior.

 

 

 

 

 

MEATH: J. Bobbett; L. Kearney, O. Lally, M. Reidy; E. Cassidy, K. Newe, L. McDermott; A. Branagan (0-1), R. Troy; T. Fay, L. Greir (2-1, 1-0 penalty, one free), N. Cassidy (0-1); A. Cleary (0-5), S. Lynch (1-0), A. Leahy (0-1). Subs used: L. Quinn for E. Cassidy (3 mins), A. Timmons (0-2) for Troy (half-time), C. Quinn for Lynch (41 mins), P. Dorian (1-0) for Fay (52 mins).

 

ROSCOMMON: M. Kelly; M. Tiernan, S. Dowd, S. Fleming; A. McLoughlin, R. Wynne, A. Curley; L. Brady (0-3, one free), N. Shanagher (0-1); C. Corcoran (0-2, one free), S. Farrell, M. McHugh; L. Curran, S. Scally (0-1), S. Glennon (2-0). Subs used: A. Hanmore for Curran (half-time), A. Malone for Corcoran (34 mins), S. Caulfield for Glennon (48 mins), S. Hoare for McLoughlin (58 mins).

 

Wides: Meath – 9; Roscommon – 5.

 

Sin-binned: Meath – Kearney (59 mins); Roscommon – none.

 

Referee: G. Corrigan (Down)

 

Player of the Match: Aoibhin Cleary (Meath). The Royal County’s captain kicked five points from play and made herself available to land a variety of scores off either foot.

Lauren Grier and Niamh Cassidy were also dangerous up front, while the impressive Abbie Timmons announced her arrival at half time with two points from play. Anna Branagan impressed at midfield. Orlagh Lally and Laoise McDermott were the pick of the backs.

Shannon Dowd, Sarah Scally and the impressive Louise Brady played with great heart throughout for Roscommon. Sinéad Glennon justified her inclusion with two well-taken goals during the opening half. Goalkeeper Marie Kelly made some fine saves.