Once again, Westmeath proved sticky opposition, and produced the scores when they needed to in the second half..
Meath’s All-Ireland Intermediate Championship campaign began on a losing note at home to Westmeath after the visitors emerged winners in the game under blue skies in Ashbourne on Sunday, 4-13 to 1-12..
It meant the Lake County were repeating their win of the recent Leinster semi final…
Meath trailed 1-7 to 0-7 at half time in yesterday’s match, but the introduction of the experienced Rachel O’Neill and Emma Regan seemed to injected fresh energy into their challenge, and an early second half goal from Roisin Heaney saw the hosts draw level..
However Westmeath’s ability to find goals at the right moments, soon put Meath on the back foot again, and their sharp attacking play proved decisive as they outscored Stephen Sheil’s side 3-6 to 1-5 in that second half, to pull away and secure victory.
The defeat was completing a fairly disappointing Championship weekend for Meath teams across the 3 codes, with the Minor footballers losing the Leinster Final on penalties on Friday night, and then the Senior footballers succumbing to Cork on Saturday..
Meath team on Sunday: Maggie Randle; Sophia Payne, Maeve Clince, Rachel Moran; Blathnaid Hughes, Leah Devine, Aoibheann Lally; Ellen Burke, Isabel O’Connor; Aoife Carey, Roisin Heaney , Aoife Minogue; Olivia O’Halloran, Ciara Foley , Ella O’Brien .
Meath Scorers:
Roisin Heaney (1-07, 5 frees)
Aoife Minogue (0-2)
Ellen Burke (0-1),
Ciara Foley (0-1),
Ella O’Brien (0-1).
Subs
Emma Regan for Isabel O’Connor
Rachel O’Neill for Sophia Payne
Grace Coleman for Aoife Carey
Abbye Donnelly for Blathnaid Hughes.