One point heartbreak for Kildare Ladies
Late scoring spree comes up just a point short
Kildare came agonisingly close to booking a place in next Sunday's LGFA TG4 Leinster senior final coming up just a point short after a tremendous late burst of scoring that saw them cut back a nine point deficit on forty minutes to that single point.
It was a game Meath held the upper hand after a first half goal from Emma Duggan on 16 minutes and a second green flag from Sarah Waall just before half time saw The Royals lead 2-6 to 0-6 at the break.
Meath extended that lead 2-11 to 0-8 on 47 minutes before a few changes from Kildare manager Pat Sullivan put life into the Kildare attack. Ellen Dowling (2) a few frees from Alannah Prizeman and that Ciara Wheeler goal, after being initially saved, saw the St Laurence's girl find the net.
Meath hit back with two points but The Lilies were not done yet and points from Mia Doerty, Róisín Byrne and Neasa Dooley left one in it, that coming in the 66 minute but time ran out for Kildare as final whistle arrived Meath winning 2-14 to 1-16 and will now take on Dublin in Next Sunday's Leinster final.
Kildare, after a heroic display, now have four weeks to prepaer for the All-Ireland series.
Scorers: Meath, Emma Duggan 1-6 (2 frees), Sarah Wall 1-0, Kerri Cole 0-2, Ciara Smyth 0-2, Orlaith Sheehy 0-1, Niamh Gallogly 0-1, Vikki Wall 0-1, Marion Farrelly 0-1.
Kildare, Alannah Prizeman 0-8 (6 frees), Róisín Byrne 0-3, Ciara Wheeler 1-0, Neasa Dooley 0-2, Ellen Dowling 0-2, Mia Doherty 0-1.
MEATH: Robyn Murray; Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Katie Newe; Aoibhín Cleary, Sara Wall, Karla Kealy; Orlaith, Sheehy, Marion Farrelly; Megan Thynne, Niamh Gallogly, Ciara Smyth; Emma Duggan, Vikki Wall, Kerrie Cole. Subs: Katie Birmingham for Orlaith Sheehy (43 minutes); Amy Gaffney for Megaan Thynne (50 minutes); Megan Collins for Kerrie Cole (51 minutes); Ciara Lawlor for Marion Farrelly (60 minutes).
KILDARE: Mary Hulgraine; Ruth Sargent, Laoise Lenehan cpt., Mia Doherty; Lisa Shaw, Laura Dunlea, Molly Aspel; Lauren Murtagh, Síofra Galvin; Ciara Moran, Ciara Wheeler, Neasa Dooley; Aoife Rattigan, Alannah Prizeman, Roisin Byrne. Subs: Lara Gilbert for Ruth Sargent (26 minutes); Lia Reilly for Ciara Moran (40 minutes); Gillian Wheeler for Aoife Rattigan (42 minutes); Ellen Dowling for Síofra Galvin (44 minutes); Ciara Price for Lauren Murtagh (61 minutes).
REFEREE: Bary Redmond, Wexford.