Murray to the rescue as Meath survive Waterford scare

Robyn Murray was absolutely exceptional in goals as Shane McCormack's side maintained their 100% record in the Ladies NFL.

Meath 2-11

Waterford 1-13

Tom Gannon reports

Meath survived a second-half onslaught from Waterford and just held on for victory in the third round of the Ladies NFL Div 1 at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

Meath held a seven-point lead with 25 minutes to go, and after their second-half performance against Mayo last Monday, no one in Navan was expecting anything other than a comfortable cruise to the finish line for the Royals. No one except Waterford, who rallied hard to get back into the contest and they very nearly stunned Shane McCormack's side.

The Royals' blushes were spared by an incredible acrobatic save at the death from their goalkeeper, Robyn Murray. It was the third crucial stop that Murray made in what was a player-of-the-match performance from the Navan O'Mahonys netminder.

Kerrie Cole had another massive performance and finished with a nice tally of 2-2 to bring her goal record so far in the league up to five. Ciara Smyth is another player who is quickly becoming a very important asset to Shane McCormack. The Skryne woman contributed three points.

When they were needed most, the spine of the Meath defence really stepped up their efforts. Mary Kate Lynch and Sarah Wall made some vital interceptions which ended up being crucial to the Royals victory.

20 seconds into the contest, Orlaith Sheehy picked out Kerrie Cole with a nice pass, and Cole buried the ball to the back of the net which gave Meath an early boost. Waterford got their tally underway a few minutes later courtesy of a point from Brid McMaugh.

In what was a lovely passage of play, Vikki Wall picked out her sister Sarah Wall with a quick free, before the older of the pair linked up with Cole and Ciara Smyth and soon found herself in front of goal. In what can only be described as a blatant penalty, Sarah Wall was dragged to the ground only to look up and see that the referee had waved play on.

It wasn't long before Meath did raise an umpire's flag again. Smyth went on a fantastic individual run from deep in her own half. The Skryne woman played a quick one-two with Cole before tapping the ball over for a fantastic individual score.

Waterford responded with a free from Aine Power before Cole and Marion Farrelly stretched Meath's lead to four. Smith and McMaugh traded points as the first quarter drew to a close.

A patient build-up from Meath was polished off with a score by Cole but a few minutes later, some slightly sloppy defending led to Lauren McGregor finishing to the back of the Meath net.

Meath responded well to Waterford's goal with two points in quick succession from Smith and Farrelly. The Deise hit back with a free from McGregor but it was Meath who finished out the half strongest as Vikki Wall and Niamh Gallogly added their names to the scoresheet. The Royals went in at the break holding a 1-9 to 1-4 advantage.

Waterford's Hannah Power got proceedings underway in the second-half but it didn't take long for Meath to respond and that woman again, Kerrie Cole got on the end of a Smith free that dropped short to secure her and Meath's second goal.

Aine O'Neill and Vikki Wall traded points but in between those two scores, Robyn Murray made the first of three vital second-half stops after Kellyann Hogan broke Meath's last line of defence.

McGregor then secured the next three points in the contest. Murray was once again called into action as she denied substitute Niamh Power a goal-scoring opportunity.

Vikki Wall settled the ship with what transpired to be Meath's final score. That point would turn out to be very important as Waterford started to gain momentum.

A well-struck score from Eve Power and two in a row from Katie Murray left just two points between the sides. McGregor's shot in the 61st minute of the contest looked destined for the net but somehow Murray got a hand to it and palmed it over the bar. The incredible save secured victory for Meath in a clash that they will feel very lucky to come away from with the win.

Meath - Robyn Murray; Aine Sheridan, Sarah Wall, Katie Newe; Niamh Gallogly (0-1), Mary Kate Lynch, Clodagh Millington; Karla Kealy, Vikki Wall (0-3); Megan Thynne, Orlaith Sheehy, Ciara Smyth (0-3); Meadhbh Byrne, Marion Farrelly (0-2), Kerrie Cole (2-2). Subs - Ella Moyles for Farrelly halftime, Nicole Troy for Kealy 39m, Katie Bermingham for Cole 47m, Orla Smith for Millington, Amy Gaffney for Byrne 62m

Waterford - Gemma Corcoran; Karen McGrath, Rebecca Casey, Maeve Ryan; Eve Power (0-1), Emma Murray, Aine O'Neill (0-1); Kellyann Hogan, Hannah Power (0-2); Katie Murray (0-2), Brid McMaugh, Aine Power (0-1, one free); Lauren McGregor (1-5, four frees), Clare Walsh, Carragh McCarthy. Subs - Alice Hahesy for Power 28m, Chloe Fennell for Walsh, Niamh Power for McCarthy both 38m, Aoife Brazil for O'Neill 56m.

Referee - Raymond McBride