Nelson refuses to lay blame at another's door after Ladies NFL Div 1 defeat
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Meath’s Niamh Gallogly is challenged by Mayo’s Danielle Caldwell at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday. Martin CostelloImage 2 of 6
Meath manager David Nelson was left scratching his head following Saturday’s NFL Div 1 loss to Mayo in Pairc Tailteann. Photo: Martin Costello/www.cyberimages.net Martin CostelloImage 3 of 6
Meath’s Emma Duggan in discussion with referee Eddie Cuthbert during Saturday’s NFL Div 1 clash with Mayo. Martin CostelloImage 4 of 6
Meath’s Aoife Minogue claims possession ahead of Mayo’s Ciara Needham and Shauna Howley during Saturday’s NFL Div 1 clash at Pairc Tailteann. Photo: Martin Costello/www.cyberimages.net Martin CostelloImage 5 of 6
Meath’s Aoibhin Cleary escapes the challenge of Mayo’s Clodagh McManamon. Martin CostelloImage 6 of 6
Meath’s Ailbhe Leahy races away from Mayo’s Hannah Reape. Martin CostelloSUPPORTERS had already made up their minds but Meath manager Davy Nelson wasn’t about to launch criticism of referee Eddie Cuthbert following Meath home defeat in the Ladies NFL Div 1 at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday.
“I would have a deep appreciation of how difficult a job it is to referee,” Nelson said afterwards.
“I don’t get involved with referees, I only get involved with what I can control, but going forward it is something the LGFA need to look at. It seems to present a problem in every match, what is a tackle, what is a foul in that contact area? I certainly wouldn’t be blaming that on our defeat, our defeat was in our own hands.
“I never talk about referees because it is a massively difficult job. That man came here today to have a good game. What we have to do is look at ourselves and we have to improve on this display.
“Congratulations to Mayo, they were pointless coming here and we knew they would be coming into the game with a lot of intent; however I thought we left it behind us. We didn’t take our opportunities, gifted them scores and we paid the price.
“We expected Mayo to take the game to us in the second half with the nature of the elements, we scored two points in the second half against the wind, and Mayo scored three points against it in the first.
"We only conceded six points which was excellent but unfortunately the two goals would be something we would be very disappointed with and those scores were massive on a day like this.
"It was insurmountable, they were of the soft variety and we have to look at ourselves here.”
Nelson also lamented missed opportunities in the opening half.
“We had a golden chance of a goal early on, we took a point instead but I thought the goal was on,2 recalled the Meath manager.
"Then there were a couple of frees that on another day Stacey Grimes would put over in her sleep but that can happen with any free taker.
“I thought we should have been ahead by more than four at half-time, every point is precious. I was very happy with the start to the second half but then the errors came and hurt us badly.
“We battled well following the concession of the second goal but the yellow card for Maire O’Shaughnessy didn’t help matters. We just made too many mistakes to win the match and we have to tidy up on those, but we know the quality we have in this team.”
The Meath boss marked this game down as a pivotal one in the group.
“Had we won it would have set us up nicely. But now we have to go to Kerry and it will be very difficult down there and then we have Waterford at home and finally Cork away. So there is nothing easy in this division and you have to fight hard for everything.”
On the injury front Nelson is hopeful that captain Shauna Ennis is back for the trip to the Kingdom.
“We had a terrible week with injuries and sickness, we were without Shauna today while Emma Duggan had a setback after doing so well when coming on against Galway in the previous game and couldn’t play any part either.
"There are a few more players that we need to get back on the pitch and give game time to in the coming weeks,” concluded the Meath boss.