Meath Camogie Intermediate Round 2

When Dunboyne and Kilmessan meet, there’s rarely a quiet evening — and last night’s camogie clash was no different. KEPAK Park Dunboyne was the venue under lights for the first ever Adult camogie match to take place there. With a swirling wind at their backs in the first half, centre back Maeve Clince set about punishing a Kilmessan foul with clinical free-taking.

There was some wonderful interplay between Maeve Clince, Ellen Burke, Anna Kane and Amy O’Hara. Young flyer Eve Cunningham turned on the afterburners to bag a superbly worked goal, while another rising star, Tara Watters, landed a fabulous long-range point. Despite the calls to run it in, she backed herself and scored a wonderful wind-assisted point from distance.

As for O’Hara, her voice could be heard echoing down the main street as she demanded possession — and when she got it, she made no mistake, drilling home from the 14-yard line to rattle the net, her second of the night. Kilmessan, by contrast, were trailing by 1-9 to 2 points at half time, looking forward to the excitement of the wind supporting them behind their back.

The second half brought a change of ends and a wind advantage for Kilmessan, where they managed to poach a goal, threatening a comeback. But, similarly to the Donaghmore Ashbourne clash, Dunboyne coolly replied with a green flag of their own.

The score of the night belonged to superstar substitute Sinead Hacket, marking her return from injury in style. A deft flick over the head from O’Hara found Hacket in stride, and she finished with composure to the delight of the home support.

At midfield, the relentless pairing of Burke and Kane ensured Kilmessan never got a foothold. Kane capped her evening with a fine goal, while Burke chipped in a handsome tally of five points.

On a dark and blustery night, Dunboyne lit things up with a commanding performance — leaving their tally at 2/2 in the championship.

Next up: Na Fianna.