Teenagers were not traumatised by 47-point defeat

Some 11 years and a few months ago Meath lost to Dublin in the All-Ireland Junior Camogie Championship at Ratoath by 47 points (0-3 to 10-20) on Sunday 25th June 2006.

Meath faced Dublin's second team in that encounter and two teenagers who started that day have journeyed with the team since. 

For Dunboyne woman Sinead Hackett and Kiltale's Louise Donoghue the challenge of facing Cork in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie final at headquarters is a far cry from that chastening experience in Ratoath in 2006.

Then, the teenagers were new faces on a team that had rarely won a game of any consequence.

Drafted into the starting 15 from promising under-age teams, the duo recalled that Ratoath debacle at last week's media night. 

SINEAD HACKETT

“I was very young at the time, it was my first year with the team, spirits were quite low after the game, but we felt we were better than what was produced on the day,” she commented..

“The following year John Davis was brought in as manager and things started to improve, John instills belief into the players and we have had success since then, it was slow and steady progress .

“We have won two All-Ireland titles and three National Camogie League titles, that wasn't a bad response to the defeat by Dublin in Ratoath, hopefully now we can take the step up to the senior grade

“We know that we have the ability to beat Cork on Sunday and it's just up to us collectively now at this stage to go out and get the job done,” she added.

LOUISE DONOGHUE

“I've always played camogie and I probably didn't grasp the seriousness of the 47-point deafet at the time, I was very young and that was a positive I suppose, I got over it very quickly, I would get over it quite as quickly now,” said the Kiltale player.

“When we lose a game now, it's a bit more difficult to get the enthusiasm to go training the next night, that sort of thing.

“Look at where we are now, and look back at that day in 2006, we have made tremendous progress and we are now only one step away from the senior grade.

“We have a group of minor players in the panel and they are making it very competitive for places, that's a good thing for Meath camogie.

“Looking to the game against Cor, they beat us last year in trim by a point, we beat them this year, it will be a tight game, I have no doubt about that.

“We played a number of challenge games this year against good quality opposition so we know what we are capable of, that's what really counts now,” she added.

There is a ring of confidence about the Meath panel ahead of Sunday's televised decider against Cork - a belief that Meath can make the leap to the top grade.