Quest for All-Ireland bid remains on target

Opportunity knocks for Meath when they take on Donegal in the Girls All-Ireland u-16 FC final next Saturday at Tarmonbarry, Longford, 2.30 with their manager Eamonn Murray asserting that the players have the character to claim glory. The Royal County girls clinched a place in the final two weeks ago with a 4-8 to 4-5 victory over Cork in the tense closing stages. Murray says that the determination of his players to overcome obstacles along the way is one of the main features why they are now preparing for a final showdown against the Ulster side. "This group of players have a lovely will to win, they are a great bunch, they have a wonderful belief in themselves and we have a great belief in their abilities," said Murray as the countdown continued to the final. However, the team's preparations weren't helped by the fact that the management or player didn't know where or when the game was played until Tuesday morning. Meath go in the game on the back of an unbeaten run in the championship having accounted for Laois, Wexford, Wicklow and Kildare. They also defeated Dublin twice including the Leinster final (5-15 to 3-5) before going on to get the better of Cork. Murray asserts that the hard work of the players in training and games since last November has played a big role in taking them this far. He also praised the efforts of a backroom team that includes Mary O'Shaughnessy (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Mary Coyle (Oldcastle), Ollie Callaghan (Ratoath), Marie Kealy (Dunshaughlin), Jenny Rispin (Summerhill), Maeve Murray and Emer Murray (Boardsmill). Among the Meath players who have impressed this season include Samantha Monaghan, whose lengthy kickouts have been an integral part of the team's strategy, the ever consistent Megan O'Brien and the highly versatile Kellie Allen who was 'player-of-the-match' in the Leinster final and who last week won gold in a showjumping competition in Belgium. Back and available for selection is Jacinta Maher who missed out on the semi-final because she was representing Ireland in an Olympic handball competition in Germany. The side is captained by sharpshooter Bridgetta Lynch. Last year the Meath u-14s, including a number of players in the current u-16 set-up defeated Donegal in an All-Ireland quarter-final before losing out to Galway. This time around Murray hopes to leads his charges to final victory. Seniors Meath seniors will continue their bid to advance to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals when they take on Kerry in the second round of qualifiers on Saturday, 7.0 at a yet to be determined venue. Following their impressive win over Armagh Brendan Dardis' side will be favourites to advance. However, Kerry will provide a stiff test of Meath's ambitions. When Meath exited the race for provincial honours following a drubbing by Dublin in Navan few gave them a chance of overcoming Armagh. However, in Breffni Park Meath made great use of the strong wind advantage they enjoyed in the opening half to lay the platform for victory over the Ulster girls. The concession of five goals against Dublin was a serious blow to Meath, but they kept Armagh at bay in the next game to advance. A similar shut-out against Kerry would go a long way towards securing victory, but Kerry will provide tough opposition and Meath will need to be at their best. Meath will also need to have star players like Grainne Nulty, Ger Doherty, Elaine Duffy, Jenny Rispin and Aimee Bennet in top form. If quality ball can be supplied to the lethal forwards then Meath should advance.