Déíse suffer two-point loss to Meath in first defeat of the season
Waterford's Karen McGrath is fouled by Meath's Orlaith Sheehy.
Waterford’s winning start to this year’s Lidl National Ladies Football League came to an end at the Dungarvan Club Grounds on Sunday afternoon last, when they lost out to last year’s All-Ireland runners-up Meath, who ran out two-point winners in a game played out in front of a good attendance.
The home side may have gone into this game as favourites in the eyes of some, having recorded wins over Armagh, Kerry and Dublin in the previous three rounds, but Meath were a side that nobody would write off too easily, even if they had a disappointing start to the league, they still were a side that won All-Ireland Finals in 2021 and 2022 beating Dublin and Kerry respectfully and last summer they were again back in the championship decider this time losing out to Dublin.
Waterford were first on the scoreboard in this game when Kellyann Hogan pointed from a free, but it was soon followed by the game's most crucial score at the other end when Orla Finnegan finished to the net from close range after Ciara Symth played the ball in and Waterford failed to clear a loose ball that fell in their goalmouth.
A brace of scores from Rachel Casserly for the visitors, with one from Emma Murray in between, meant the visitors lead by that early goal with 11 minutes on the clock.
Meath continued to pile the pressure on the Waterford defence, but for a timely block by Laura Mulcahy on a Megan Thynne effort, the visitors could have raised a second green flag. The visitors did, however, split the posts with efforts from Marion Farrelly and Rachel Casserly to edge further in front. In between the latter two scores, Maeve Daly had an effort taken off the line by the Meath defenders.
Waterford, however, recovered well, and points from Kellyann Hogan from a free, and efforts from Aine O’Neill and Brid McMaugh had an effort drop short, which was blocked and played out, but only to Maeve Daly fired over to help steady the ship.
Despite these scores, it was the visitors who finished the half the stronger of the two sides as Marion Farelly and Niamh Gallogly hit late points to give their side a 1-6 to 0-5 lead at the break.
Meath started the second half with Sarah Wall sending the ball crashing off the Waterford crossbar and going wide. The visitors created another chance for a three-point score later in the game, but Ciara Smyth was unable to divert the ball past Katelyn Gardiner as her effort went wide of the post.
Kellyann Hogan shot a brace of scores to narrow the gap. Meadhbh Byrne, however, widened it once more with a point at the other end.
Points from Kellyann Hogan and Clare Walsh kept Waterford in touch, but Meadhbh Byrne put a little daylight between the sides with another score at the other end with five minutes remaining.
Chloe Fennell made it a one-point game with a late free, but Waterford were unable to add another late score to get something from the game. Meath, however, secured all three points on offer for the win when Meadhbh Byrne landed a late score.
Waterford will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Saturday evening next when they take on Munster rivals Cork in what could be a very entertaining game at Pairc Ui Rinn.
Kellyann Hogan 0-5 (3f), Emma Murray, Aine O’Neill, Maeve Daly, Clare Walsh, Chloe Fennell (f) 0-1 each.
Orla Finnegan 1-0, Rachel Casserly, Meadhbh Byrne 0-3 each, Marion Farrelly 0-2, Niamh Gallogly 0-1.
Katelyn Gardiner; Cora Murray, Laura Mulcahy, Rebecca Casey; Áine O’Neill, Karen McGrath, Eve Power; Emma Murray, Kellyann Hogan; Katie Murray, Clare Walsh, Maeve Daly; Lauren McGregor, Brid McMaugh, Ruby Browne.
Chloe Fennell for Daly (51), Alana McGrath for Lauren McGregor (52), Hannah McGrath for Katie Murray (57), Lia Ní hArta for Eve Power (57).
Robyn Murray; Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Karla Kealy; Sinead Murphy, Amy Gaffney, Katie Bermingham; Orlaith Sheehy, Niamh Gallogly; Marion Farrelly, Ciara Smyth, Megan Thynne; Emma Duggan, Rachel Casserly, Orla Finnegan.
Sarah Wall for Amy Gaffney (20), Meadhbh Byrne for Orla Finnegan (HT), Lauren Wood for Sinead Murphy (40), Alanna Reilly for Orla Farrelly (47), Orla Smith for Rachel Casserly (48), Orlaith Mallon for Emma Duggan (57).
Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).
