Meath denied in late drama

Meath's hopes of stunning Kilkenny in the Leinster Intermediate Camogie Chamopionship unravelled in a 10-minute spell in the second-half of Saturday's opening round at Trim when they were edged out 2-10 to 1-14..

Leading by three points and very much in contention Meath shipped 1-4 in that 10-minute period early in the second-half as Kilkenny pulled away.

Meath did claw their way back into the contest and had a late '45' to salvage a draw, but Aoife Carey's difficult strike his the upright and before the ball could hit the ground the referee blew the final whistle to signal another hard luck story for Anton O'Neill's brave young side.

The visitors opened the scoring with a point from play after four minutes before well worked points from Emma Regan and Erin Leddy put the home side in front for the first time.Roisin Heaney extended the Meath lead to four points when she pulled on a loose ball outside the square and fired to the net on 11 minutes.

Meath had the chance to stretch their lead further when awarded a penalty near the end of the opening quarter however Kilkenny 'keeper Sinead Farrell pulled off a brilliant save to deny Carey.

There was consolation for Meath a minute later when Carey sent over a fine effort from play for a 1-3 to 0-3 advantage.

Isobel O'Connor stretched the home sides lead to four points on 17 minutes and although Meath enjoyed a spell of dominance they were unable to make it count where it mattered most, on the scoreboard.

Kilkenny made light of going 10 minutes without raising a flag by adding two minors in as many minutes while Meath's Laura O'Neill was on hand for an excellent goal-line clearance on 27 minutes.

Aedin Slattery sent a perfect delivery to Amy Gaffney who slotted over from 20 metres out before Isobel O'Connor completed the first half scoring for Meath after good foraging work by goalscorer Heaney.

The Cats ensured it was a two point game with two further minors, the last in the fourth minute of injury time, to make it 1-6 to 0-7 at the break.

The trend continued in the second half with Kilkenny opening the scoring in the opening minute. Aoife Carey then sent two frees between the posts, but then Kilkenny made their decisive burst with 1-4 without reply in a 10 minute spell. Meath were by no means finished and substitute Ciara Foley grabbed a high ball in from Emma Regan and blasted to the back of the net.

Carey added another free to make it level pegging but a converted free for the visitors on 60 minutes edged them ahead and despite going close from Carey's '45' four minutes into injury-time Meath fell just short.

Meath - Tara Murphy; Laura O'Neill, Maeve Clince, Eimear Fagan; Aoibhin Lally, Rachael O'Neill, Leah Devine; Amy Gaffney (0-1), Erin Leddy (0-1); Isabel O'Connor (0-2), Aoife Carey (0-4), Aedin Slattery; Emma Rogan (0-1), Roisin Heaney (1-1), Ciara Flanagan. Subs - Ciara Foley (1-0) for Heaney, Ella O'Brien for Flanagan, Sophia Payne for Fagan.