Stephens"s score earns narrow win

BEFORE this All-Ireland Junior Camogie championship encounter at Clane on Saturday evening the Meath players were already aware that they were through to the last four because of previous results. It could have been an occasion for Meath to take it easy and save themselves for the semi-finals. Instead they recovered from a sluggish start to win the game and ensure that they will go into the semis on the back of a hard-earned victory. The crucial score came in the closing stages when Meath put together an attacking move and Dunderry"s Mags Stephens finished to the net for the only goal of the game. The Lilywhites started the game with a greater hunger and after some early goalmouth action Susie O"Carroll pointed. It took some time for the Meath players to find their tempo. They found it difficult to get the ball into the forward areas where real damage could be inflicted. Aileen Donnelly floated the ball wide from a free with Jane Dolan also despatching a shot the 'wrong" side of the posts. Kildare continued to pile on the pressure at the other end and they notched up another point on the 20th minute mark to go further ahead. Meath eventually notched their first score of the game after 21 minutes when Dolan split the posts from a close-range free. Shortly afterwards Stephanie Horan set up Dolan who again pointed. At the break Kildare led by 0-4 to 0-3 but it could have been worse for the Royal County girls as shortly before the break Emily Mangan made a vital catch on the goal-line after the ball was lofted into the square. While Kildare eventually gained a point from the move Meath were relieved not to concede a goal. Early in the second-half Meath drew level with a free from Donnelly. Almost immediately afterwards, a free at the other end was converted by O"Carroll as the Lilywhites edged ahead once more. Steadily the tempo of the game increased. Stephanie Horan, who had moved to a more advanced outfield position, took a sideline cut which found Lizzy Oakes and she pointed. Oakes had a 'goal" disallowed soon after as Meath started to perform with greater fluency. Dolan pointed to put Meath ahead for the first time with Donnelly also tagging on a point. Kildare re-ignited their challenge to hit back with a brace of points to level matters again as the balance of the game flowed to-and-fro. Stephens flashed a shot just wide before Kildare edged a point ahead with another O"Carroll score. Just when it looked like Kildare were poised to go on and win Meath conjured up the only goal of the game. Laura Flynn won possession, passed to Stephens who this time finished to the net to give her team the two-point lead they held onto until the end. While Meath achieved their win they will know a better performance will be required for the All-Ireland semi-final against Carlow on Saturday, 9th August. Last year Meath made it to three finals losing them all. Already this year they have reverse that trend by winning the National League Div 4 crown earlier this year. They will seek to continue that winning form in the championship with Carlow now awaiting in the semi-final. Meath - E Mangan; E McNally, K Ward, H Geraghty; E Guy, A Donnelly (0-2), L Donoghue; M Stephens (1-0), L Flynn; F Lynch, L Oakes (0-1), S Hackett; L Lynch, J Dolan (0-4), S Horan. Subs - A Keogh for Lynch, K Troy for Hackett.