Meath held by in-form Galway
Substitute Aoife O’Rourke scored a last minute free to give Galway a share of the spoils in an enthralling NFL Div 1 0-9 to 0-9 draw with holders Meath at Pairc Tailteann this afternoon, writes Ivan Smyth.
The reigning champions were playing their first game at Páirc Tailteann this year in front of a huge home support and the majority of the crowd looked set to go home happy when Emma Duggan put Meath ahead after 56 minutes.
The All-star forward, who was a half-time substitute, kicked three points but it wasn’t enough for the win.
The opening half was a tense affair with both sides showing their defensive solidity. It was the hosts that started the quicker as an incisive attacking move culminated in wing back Niamh Gallogly firing over.
Maghnus Breathnach and Fiona Wynne’s side survived a scare when Olivia Callan’s shot almost deceived Alannah Griffin in the Galway goal, but she did enough to prevent the concession of a goal.
Galway settled and produced a move of real quality as Olivia Divilly and Kate Slevin combined to set up Shauna Brennan to arrow over the equaliser.
From the restart Meath’s kickout didn’t travel the required distance and Slevin slotted the resulting Galway free.
With the boisterous Meath fans providing loud support, Davy Nelson’s players were boosted when Galway’s Leanne Coen was sent to the sin-bin.
However, it was Galway who responded well to their numerical disadvantage as Slevin converted a placed ball after Megan Glynn was fouled.
Meath needed a score and after the home side won a turnover deep in their own territory, they countered quickly with Meadhbh Byrne kicking a badly needed score as Galway led 0-3 to 0-2 at the break.
Eva Noone and Slevin scored early in the second half for Galway but Meath responded through Stacey Grimes and Ciara Smyth.
Three Slevin efforts helped Galway inch ahead again, but in a vastly improved and thrill-a-minute second-half Duggan kicked two of her own to keep Meath in touch.
Boosted by the crowd Meath kicked for home and looked in a strong position as Grimes, Gallogly and Duggan helped them lead by one.
However, with just seconds left on the clock Galway were awarded a free and O’Rourke stepped up to ensure the spoils were shared.
SCORERS
Meath - Emma Duggan 0-3 one free; Stacey Grimes 0-2 frees; Niamh Gallogly 0-2; Meabhdh Byrne 0-1; Ciara Smyth 0-1.
Galway - K Slevin 0-6 three frees; A O’Rourke 0-1 free; S Brennan 0-1; E Noone 0-1.
TEAMS
Meath - Monica McGuirk; Katie Newe, Mary Kate Lynch, Aine Sheridan; Niamh Gallogly, Shauna Ennis, Aoibhin Cleary; Maire O’Shaughnessy, Aoife Minogue; Megan Thynne, Meabhdh Byrne, Niamh O’Sullivan; Orlaith Callan, Stacey Grimes, Ciara Smyth. Subs - E Duggan for Callan half-time, Ailbhe Leahy for Smyth, Ali Sherlock for Byrne both 47mins.
Galway - A Griffin; K Geraghty, S Ní Loingsigh, E Gavin; C Cooney, L Ward, A Molloy; A Davoren, L Coen; S Brennan, O Divilly, C Miskell; M Glynn, K Slevin, L Noone. Subs - E Noone for Glynn half-time, H Noone for E Noone, J Burke for Brennan both 47mins, A O’Rourke for Miskell 56m.
Referee – Gavin Finnegan (Down).