The Waterford ladies will enter the relegation play-offs next month after a 1-13 to 1-8 defeat to Meath on an afternoon of sunshine and showers in Fraher Field.
All Star forward Emma Duggan fired 1-4, including a late goal, as the Royals advanced to the All Ireland Quarter Finals. In Jenny Rispin's first game in charge, Orlagh Lally landed four points from play while Niamh Gallogly got two. Waterford sharpshooter Lauren McGregor grabbed 1-4 for Pat Sullivan's side. She found the top corner on the full time hooter. She has shot 9-18 this year across league and championship.
Throw in was delayed as players from both teams staged a sit down protest in the middle of the field. They received a round of applause from the supporters. Female inter county players are seeking a charter guaranteeing minimum standards for 2024.
Bríd McMaugh opened the scoring after five minutes for the hosts. Wind assisted Meath took control as Niamh Gallogly, Orlagh Lally and Stacey Grimes opened up a 4-1 lead. The visitors were also guilty of seven first half wides.
The pre-match sunshine quickly turned to thunder and lightning. Despite the inclement weather, McMaugh fisted over on 24 minutes for Waterford after a driving run from Annie Fitzgerald. All Star attacker Emma Duggan was tightly marked but she eventually popped over her first point of the afternoon. Lally landed her third to make it 7-2 approaching the break. Just before the half time hooter, Waterford were awarded a close range free and Lauren McGregor converted.
Kate McGrath narrowed the gap to three 70 seconds into the second period. Niamh O'Sullivan and Duggan split the posts at the other end. McGregor nailed a free for the hosts before Kellyann Hogan fired over a point from 40 metres (0-9 to 0-6).
That was as close as Waterford got. Duggan dispatched two frees before Meadhbh Byrne raised a white flag. McGregor got two frees to bring her total to four.
A late Orlagh Lally point wrapped up victory for Rispin's Royals. With two minutes left, Meath sub Ali Sherlock set up Duggan who slotted the ball into the corner of the Waterford net. Just before the full time hooter, McGregor rifled to the top corner of the cobwebs. Her ninth goal of the season.
Scorers for Waterford: L McGregor 1-4 (4fs), B McMaugh 0-2, Kate McGrath, K Hogan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Meath: E Duggan 1-4 (2fs), O Lally 0-4, N Gallogly 0-2, S Grimes (f), M Byrne, N O'Sullivan 0-1 each.
Waterford: E O'Brien; C Murray, L Mulcahy, A Murray; A Waring, Karen McGrath, E Murray; B McMaugh, E Power; A O'Neill, A Fitzgerald, K Hogan; K Murray, L McGregor, Kate McGrath.
Subs: H Power for Waring (39), C Hynes for C Murray (56), C McCarthy for McMaugh (57).
Meath: M McGuirk; A Sheridan, MK Lynch, K Newe; M Thynne, S Ennis, N Gallogly; M O'Shaughnessy, V Wall; M Byrne, E Duggan, O Lally; N O'Sullivan, A Minogue, S Grimes.
Subs: S Melia for O'Shaughnessy (51), C Smyth for Grimes (51), A Sherlock for Byrne (57), O Gore for O'Sullivan (58).
Referee: K Phelan (Laois)
