Royals Rise in Dungarvan to Down League Leaders

• Feb 23,2026

Lidl National Football League Division 1  Round 4

Match Report 

Final Score:

Meath 1-09

Waterford 0-10

An early start for the Meath Senior Ladies saw them make the long journey to Dungarvan GAA to take on the Waterford Ladies in Round 4 of 

Division 1.

It had been over two weeks since their narrow four-point defeat to the Kingdom in Meathhill, and the Royals had a point to prove as they faced league leaders Waterford.

The game burst into life from the throw-in. Meath won the initial possession but were quickly turned over, allowing Waterford to register the opening score. However, the Royals responded immediately and with purpose.

The breakthrough goal came from a clever attacking move. A shot from Ciara Smyth dropped short into the path of Rachel Casserly and as the ball broke loose Orla Finnegan reacted quickest and booted it to the back of the net, putting the Royals ahead by two.

Confidence flowing, the Royals struck again. An interception from Karla Kealy turned defence into attack in an instant. A quick tap-and-go and a release to Megan Thynne, who picked out Sinéad Murphy. Murphy drove directly at the Waterford defence before delivering a perfectly timed pass to Rachel Casserly, who slotted over a well taken score stretch the lead to three.

Waterford answered with a point of their own, but Meath maintained control. The next three scores came courtesy of Rachel Casserly (2) and Marion Farrelly, pushing the Royals firmly into the driving seat. Scoreboard reading 

Meath 1-04

Waterford 0-02

Waterford rallied and struck for the next three scores to narrow the gap and swing momentum their way.

On 25 minutes, Sarah Wall was introduced in place of Amy Gaffney. Robyn Murray made important saves to deny Waterford and keep the Royals ahead.

Marion Farrelly’s first score on the board came from a second chance at a free, reacting quickest to the rebound after an Orla Finnegan pass to slot over and restore a goal cushion between the sides.

Captain Niamh Gallogly then produced a moment of leadership. Rising highest to claim the Waterford kick-out, she laid the ball off to Megan Thynne and continued her run forward. The return pass found the Meath skipper in stride, and she clipped over a superb point to stretch the advantage back out to four for the Royal County.

A brilliant catch from Áine Sheridan in defence, followed by another crucial save from Robyn Murray, denied the Waterford ladies any further scores before the break, ensuring Meath went into half-time with their lead intact and momentum firmly back in their favour.

Half-time score 

Meath 1-06

Waterford 0-5

There were changes from the restart, with Meadhbh Byrne replacing goal-scorer Orla Finnegan. Meath started brightly and created several chances, but Waterford battled hard and struck three unanswered points to narrow the gap despite efforts from Rachel Casserly, Sarah Wall and Ciara Smyth.

Smyth then picked out Byrne to steady the Royals and leave three between the sides.

Lauren Woods replaced Sinead Murphy but Waterford added another point to cut the deficit to two. Alannah Reilly came on for Marion Farrelly as the momentum swung, and another Waterford score left just the minimum between the teams.

Byrne responded with her second point of the game, while a Smyth goal chance rolled narrowly wide. A Waterford free again reduced the gap to one in a tense closing spell between the Division 1 rivals.

Emma Duggan was replaced by Orla Mallon just before Byrne later named Player of the Match ,stepped up to land the final score of the contest.

It sealed a hard-fought two-point victory for the Royal County, earning three vital league points and pushing Waterford off top spot at this stage of the campaign. All eyes turn to next Saturday 28th at 5pm as the Ladies take on Kildare LGFA in Hawfield in Round 5 of the Lidl Ireland National Football League 

Full-time score 

Meath 1-09

Waterford 0-10 

Scorers: Meath: 

Orla Finnegan 1-0,

Rachel Casserly 0-3

Meadhbh Byrne 0-3,

 Marion Farrelly 0-2, 

Niamh Gallogly 0-1.

MEATH: R Murray; A Sheridan, MK Lynch, K Kealy; S Murphy, A Gaffney, K Bermingham; O Sheehy, N Gallogly; M Farrelly, C Smyth, M Thynne; E Duggan, R Casserly, O Finnegan. Subs: S Wall for Gaffney (20), M Byrne for Finnegan (HT), L Wood for Murphy (40), A Reilly for Farrelly (47), O Smith for Casserly (48), O Mallon for Duggan (57).

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