By John Fallon
Meath interim manager Jenny Rispin said she was delighted that the reigning TG4 All-Ireland champions got the defence of their title off to a winning start when they defeated Waterford by 1-13 to 1-8 at Fraher Field.
All Star forward Emma Duggan fired 1-4, including a late goal, as they advanced to the quarter-finals with a hard-earned win in Dungarvan. Orlagh Lally landed four points from play for the visitors while Niamh Gallogly got two.
“Just delighted to be honest. Delighted for the girls,” said Rispin. “There’s been a spotlight on them for the last few weeks and for themselves to come out and respond, they deserve any accolades they get after today.
“We created a lot of opportunities. We had a few wides but we created chances up front. Some good attacking play and we found good gaps so happy from that perspective. From a defensive point of view, we were tight at the back and didn’t give Waterford too many opportunities.”
Lauren McGregor, who took her 2023 haul to 9-18 with a return of 1-4, did most for Waterford to challenge the champions of the past two years but while they now face a relegation play-off, manager Pat O’Sullivan is confident they can produce the goods.
“They know, in their heart and soul, how close they were today.
“We didn’t perform last week. Unfortunately, with the structure that’s there, you get your two games and that’s it.
“We know we’re facing a relegation play-off. We don’t want to be there, but we’re there, we just have to suck it up and get on with it now. We will and I have faith in them that they’ll prove how good they are.”
Dublin bounced back from their opening round loss to put Cavan to the sword by 5-15 to 1-8, with Carla Rowe leading the way with a superb 3-6 haul.
Eilish O’Dowd and Rowe got the goals in the opening half as they built up an unassailable 2-9 to 0-3 interval lead in Cavan.
Rowe, who cancelled Geraldine Sheridan’s goal for Cavan after the restart, could afford to miss a penalty after 58 minutes but still complete her hat-trick in the dying moments.
But Dublin knew what was on the line after their loss to Kerry and Sinéad Aherne said this was very much in their minds as they headed to Cavan.
“Obviously this was a must-win or we were out of the championship. Disappointing to lose last week. We came out today and built up a good lead in the first half and pressed on in the second.”
Dublin were clinical in front of the goals and Aherne said that was something they had worked on: “If you can get pressure on and work-rate going then we are going to create more chances for ourselves. We have been working on that in training; be as ruthless as we can.”
For Cavan manager Gerry Moane, he knew his side were facing a formidable side in Dublin but he was disappointed in the manner in which his side conceded the five goals.
“For 16 minutes we were as good as them. The first goal came from a turnover and the ball ended in the net. The second goal was a sucker blow before half-time. Overall the five goals we conceded was very disappointing from a Cavan point of view.”
There was real drama at the Box-It Athletic Grounds as a last minute penalty goal from Aimee Mackin saw Armagh claim their place in the quarter-finals, as Shane McCormack’s side came from five points down to defeat Connacht champions Mayo in a thrilling contest by 2-10 to 1-11.
“We’re absolutely thrilled,” said McCormack. “There are two words that sum it up, ‘accountability’ and ‘character’. The girls really showed that today. Going in five points down at half-time, we asked for someone to stand up.
“People talk about Armagh as being one of the top teams, but we have to go out and prove it, and in the second half we did.”
Mayo manager Michael Moyles said they need to get this disappointing loss behind them to face Laois next weekend.
“I’m disappointed. We had chances to win the game. We had seven weeks where we didn’t have a game, and we came up here with real intent of winning the game, and we felt as though we put ourselves in a good position to do so.
“We have a six-day turnaround now for the Laois game, so we just have to pick ourselves up.”
Galway booked a home quarter-final date after a 4-10 to 3-4 victory away to Tipperary, with Tracey Leonard, Lynsey Noone, Louise Ward and Kate Slevin getting the goals as they backed up their opening round win over Cork.
“It was about getting down here and getting the job done,” Galway joint manager Maghnus Breathnach. “The big thing for us was could we back it up for a following week especially after such an intense game against Cork.
“That was very, very important for us. We knew Tipperary had a good Munster campaign. They didn’t get the results and we knew it was going to be a tough battle but we were delighted with a nine-point win today.”
Aishling Moloney fisted home goals for the home side at the start and end of the game and Angela McGuigan also found the yet for a Tipperary side who will now face Cork with a quarter-final spot on the line.
Tipperary manager Peter Creedon said Galway were the better team on the day but they must now switch their focus to a showdown with Cork.
“Certain aspects of our play were good. The girls really tried hard and they kept going to the very end so that game is gone now and we have only six days to recover.
“We were here last year as well. We know where we stand. We have to go down to Clonakilty and regardless of whether we won today we would have still had to get something next weekend so it’s knockout football from now on.”
In the TG4 Intermediate Championship, Antrim, Monaghan and Leitrim join Kildare, Clare, Tyrone, Westmeath and Wexford in the quarter-finals after today’s results. The draw for the last eight will be made on Monday.
Kildare, Clare, Wexford and Antrim finished on top of their respective groups and will have home advantage for the last eight ties.
The relegation play-offs will be played on July 8, with Louth to play Roscommon, while Offaly will face Longford. The losers of both games will be relegated to the TG4 Junior Championship for 2024.
