Royals return to the Kingdom after triumph over Tipp
Quarter-final draw pairs Meath with Kerry - again
Meath...2-15
Tipperary...2-12
It's a case of de ja vu all over again after Meath were drawn to play Kerry in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals today.
Meath earned their place in the draw that took place at Pairc Tailteann after Shane McCormack's side had defeated Tipperary 2-15 to 2-12 in this final group game.
Last year Meath were also paired with the Kingdom away at the quarter-final stage and it didn't turn out to be a memorable occasion for the Royals as they were blown off course on a stormy day down south and lost 2-8 to 0-10. They also lost to Kerry in the league earlier this year, 0-5 to 1-15. Now the opportunity is there to exact a measure of retribution.
The TG4 cameras were in place at the Brews Hill venue on Sunday for this clash with Tipperary and the home team put in a show, conjuring up their best performance of the year so far to win.
There was no sign of any stage fright among the Meath ranks (at least for most of the sun-splashed afternoon) as they built on a 1-11 to 1-4 interval advantage before powering their way to the finish line.
This was a contest Meath simply had to win to advance and they completed the deal - although they fell away in the closing stages giving the Premier County a brief glimpse of redemption.
However, the home teams's defensive battlements stayed secure and strong to retained the lead they had held since the 12th minute.
It was hardly surprising that at the interval and at the final whistle the Meath players were warmly applauded by their supporters who were greatly pleased by the quality of the football produced by the Girls in Green on a bright summer's day.
Some of Meath's attacking play was of the highest quality with the tempo set proving too much for their opponents - until that final 10 minutes of so when the initiative was conceded partly because of a number of changes made by the home side.
With at least two players having received ticks manager McCormack understandably wanted to avoid one of his charges having to endure a spell in the sinbin.
The power in the Meath attack was underlined in the way they fashioned their opening goal late in the opening half. The ever tenacious, hard-running Niamh Gallogly won the ball from a Kerry kick-out, staring a counter-offensive that concluded with Marion Farrelly finishing to the net. That score went a long way to providing the Royals with their commanding interval advantage.
Meath's second goal was a classic team goal just three minutes into the second-half. The move started with goalkeeper Monica McGuirk and ended after a series of passes, with the alert Meadbhh Byrne directing the ball to the net with her hands from close range. That put Meath 2-11 to 1-6 in front and well on their way.
A major element of Meath's command performance was their ability to convert opportunities into scores. The influential Emma Duggan played a leading role clipping over four excellent points from play (six in all) while Farrelly also added three first-rate scores from play to add to her well-taken goal.
Byrne and Kerrie Cole capped high-energy performances with two points apiece while Gallogly and Rachel Casserly were others to raise white flags, converting well-worked moves into something tangible on the scoreboard.
Full-back Mary Kate Lynch didn't get on the score-sheet but she had a fine game. She helped to curtain Tipperary's star player Aishling Moloney who still ended up with nine points, three frees.
Overall Meath defended stoutly (they were well-organised and composed) but they were exposed on occasions with Anna-Rose Kennedy and Neassa Towey breaking through for goals. Emma Morrissey also had an effort rebound off the bar.
Towey's goal arrived late in this drama and was part of a strong Tipperary surge that caused Meath some concern - and left their supporters feeling nervy.
A high ball was played into the Meath goalmouth. McGuirk appeared to lose track of the ball in the sun, it escaped her clutches and Towey pounced.
Yet despite that blow they held out to deservedly win - and earn another quarter-final clash against the Kingdom.
However, the game and its outcome was put into perspective when towards the end of the contest a spectator fell ill in the stand and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
SCORERS
Meath - Emma Duggan 0-6 two frees; Marion Farrelly 1-3; Meadhbh Byrne 1-2; Kerrie Cole 0-2; Niamh Gallogly 0-1; Rachel Casserly 0-1.
Tipperary - Aishling Moloney 0-9 three frees; Anna-Rose Kennedy 1-1; Neassa Towey 1-0; Emma Morrissey 0-2.
TEAMS
Meath - Monica McGuirk; Sarah Wall, Mark Kate Lynch, Nicole Troy; Niamh Gallogly, Kerrie Cole, Katie Newe; Maire O'Shaughnessy, Aoibhin Cleary; Megan Thynne, Shelly Melia, Ciara Smyth; Meadhbh Byrne, Marion Farrelly, Emma Duggan. Subs - Aine Sheridan for Newe, Rachel Casserly for Cole both 43 mins, Aisling McCabe for Smyth 50m, Ciara Lawlor for Melia 61m, Lisa Young for Thynne 63m.
Tipperary - Lauren Fitpatrick; Elaine Kelly, Lucy Spillane, Emma Cronin; Cliona O'Dwyer, Maria Curley, Sarah English; Laura Morrissey, Anna-Rose Kennedy; Clara English, Aishling Moloney, Emma Morrissey; Marie Creedon, Angela McGuigan, Emer McCarthy. Subs - Neassa Towey for McCarthy 36 mins, Katelyn Downey for L Morrissey, Ciara O'Hora for Creedon both 47 mins, Kate Delaney for English, Laura Dillon for E Morrissey 51m.
Referee - Philip Conway (Armagh).