Meath boss 'delighted' to overcome Kerry in LGFA All-Ireland semi after 'being written off the last year'
Before and after Jack O'Connor's men fell to a comprehensive defeat to Meath in Tullamore last month, there were a few grumblings in the Kingdom about just how neutral Glenisk O'Connor Park was for a game between the two green and gold counties.
But any advantages the male Meath players enjoyed at the home of Offaly GAA for that group game were dwarfed by the way the Royal County turned the midland venue into a real home atmosphere on Saturday afternoon, outnumbering their Kerry counterparts by around ten to one and making that advantage count on the pitch too by doing their bit to try and nudge Maggie Farrelly to give those 50/50 calls to the Leinster County, not to mention adding to the growing sense of momentum by hailing every sideline ball, every turnover and every contest win as if it was the final whistle.
It was all a world away from the comfortable outing that Kerry enjoyed in the 2024 quarter-finals, where they brushed Meath aside by double scores in Tralee.
Many pundits felt that 0-16 to 0-8 win was a sign of the end of an era for the 2021 and 2022 All-Ireland champions – but Saturday evening, Meath manager Shane McCormack said that once he got a few key players back into the side, he knew his team would always be leading contenders.
'We've been written off for the last year and a half and we had been rebuilding,' he said afterwards.
'A lot of girls came back as well and it was great to have them, these girls would run through a brick wall for you. Their determination and energy was the biggest thing there today.
"We were two points up at half-time after playing against the wind and we just said to keep the scoreboard moving. Kerry got their goal but we didn't panic and I was delighted to see the composure'.
Former Footballer of the Year Vicki Wall, who missed most of 2024 and only came on as a substitute in that game in Austin Stack Park, would have been earmarked by most as the most valuable returnee to the Meath panel.
It was her sister Sarah who picked up Player of the Match honours on Saturday however, while Robyn Murray in goal was another crucial ingredient in the win, both for the way she cleaned up her own sector and also for the accuracy of her kickouts.
'I'm delighted for Sarah, she's been phenomenal, she came back into the setup last year and she's made the six spot her own with great leadership and composure, and we saw that with the goal as well'.
The tumultuous roar that greeted the centre back's goal was one of many moments that cemented the feeling that this was always going to be Meath's day.
'The crowds came out in their droves, and today it wasn't Navan it was Tullamore and I'd say it was double the crowd, so my thanks to all the fans and supporters, we really appreciate it,' McCormack beamed.
Given the final margin however, and the comprehensive manner of Meath's win, Kerry manager Mark Bourke could only acknowledge that while 2025 was a 'great year', with Munster and National League honours secured, they were clearly second best yesterday.
'I thought the hungrier team won,' said the Tralee man.
'Meath were there to the breaking ball. They were hunting in packs, they were overlapping in numbers, and we weren't doing that'.
'I thought we started well in the second half, we got a goal, but Meath brought it up another gear in terms of the hunger and intensity. That's the difference.
'It takes time to replenish twelve new players again. If anyone doesn't understand that they shouldn't be involved in it. But there's really a lot of talent in Kerry football. You could see it there.
'I'm very happy with the year. You play these games knowing that you could go in to lose. But did everyone do their best, did everyone buy in? Everyone bought in, everyone did their best. Did we lay it out right?
"I think we did. Games are going to be won and lost. So, on to the next game,' he concluded.
Scorers for Meath: E Duggan (0-5, 4f), K Cole (1-0), S Wall (1-0), C Smyth (0-2), M Farrelly (0-2), A Cleary (0-2), S Ennis (0-1).
Scorers for Kerry: S O'Shea (0-5, 4f), D O'Leary (1-0), N Ní Conchúir (0-2), A Galvin (0-1), C Evans (0-1).
MEATH: R Murray; MK Lynch, Á Sheridan, K Newe; A Cleary, S Wall, K Kealy; O Sheehy, M Farrelly; M Thynne, N Gallogly, C Smyth; E Duggan, V Wall, K Cole.
Subs: S Ennis for Newe (32), K Bermingham for Sheehy (40), N McEntee for Cole (56).
KERRY: ME Bolger; E Lynch, C Lynch, D Kearney; A O'Connell, E Costello, A Dillane; M O'Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, N Ní Conchúir, C Evans; D O'Leary, S Ó'Shea, J Lucey.
Subs: R Dwyer for Lucey (37), R Rahilly for Kearney (38), K Enright for Galvin (50), F O'Donoghue for A O'Connell (52), N Quinn for Dillane (53).
Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).
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