Kerry maul Meath in ruthless display

Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh led the way with a haul of eight points as Kerry put in a clinical performance to dismiss Meath at Donaghmore-Ashbourne.

She kicked six of them from play and such was Kerry's dominance, particularly in the second half, Meath were limited to just scoring two points after the break and managed just a single point from play throughout the contest.

This result moved reigning Division 1 champions Kerry back up to second place in the table with just one game remaining.

Just 19 seconds had elapsed when Ní Mhuircheartaigh opened the scoring. One minute later she created a goal chance but her effort was saved by Monica McGuirk.

Ní Mhuircheartaigh scored her second point in the third minute. Meath kept in touch with Kerry in the opening 10 minutes with three frees from the boot of Emma Duggan.

Playing with the aid of a strong wind, Kerry kept the scoreboard ticking over with six unanswered points. Meath couldn’t create many scoring opportunities.

Emma Dineen shot wide in the 16th minute as the visitors dominated proceedings. Hannah O’Donoghue kicked over two fine points, while Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Niamh Carmody were also on the scoresheet as Kerry held a six-point lead at the break at 0-09 to 0-03.

McGuirk was called into action in the first minute of the second half, saving a shot from sub Danielle O’Leary. Kerry got their first score from a placed ball in the 33rd minute when Ní Mhuircheartaigh hit over a free.

Kerry played some good football and Meath couldn’t contain them. The lead was nine points in the 38th minute when Dineen fisted over.

Shelly Melia kicked over a terrific point for Meath in the 39th minute, their first in 30 minutes of play.

That score was cancelled out minutes later when Ní