Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1037216
ladiesgaelic.ie // 19 TG4 INTERMEDIATE FINAL Volume 14 | Issue No 3 | PEIL Autumn THE TALKING POINTS But most of all the techniques and power they showed in the tackle tells us that they'll acclimatise into the top grade pretty quickly. Especially in the first quarter the Tyrone defence were tenacious, and it wasn't until Niamh O'Sullivan and Stacey Grimes began to find space that they were tested. And even then the likes of Joanne Barrett, Emma Brennan and Niamh Hughes all produced key dispossessions with Meath in their pomp before the break. WAS DEMOTION THE RIGHT THING FOR TYRONE? Make no mistake about it, this Tyrone team has the cut of a side that will go on and thrive at senior level. Just five and a bit years after competing in the All-Ireland senior final against Dublin in 2010, the decision was taken for Tyrone to set down a grade with the intention of rebuilding. A few talented minor teams had struggled to make the break through into the senior side, but after a couple of shots at making a return, the Red Hands are back in the big time. Last year just a kick of a ball separated Tyrone and Tipp in the final and Shane Roynane's side showed they were well able to compete despite their immediate relegation. Motivation won't be a problem ahead of the new season and if Tyrone can iron out a few kinks they'll be tough opponents in 2019. WHAT NOW FOR MEATH? After Eamonn Murray's side ended a 24- year wait for an appearance at Croke Park in this year's junior decider, ladies football in the county must surely experience a bounce. The game was in its infancy in the county when the team of 1994 picked up their first All-Ireland junior title. Amazingly they could not make it back to HQ again until this year and what a joy it was to see so many pockets of Meath supporters in the ground supporting their team. With just one player representing a senior club in this Meath team, the possibilities are endless of what could be achieved in the county. If all clubs buy in to the cause, and every talented eligibly player makes themselves available who knows that could happen in Meath ladies football. Their close neighbours in Dublin have laid out a nice template to follow, but winning the intermediate title in the coming years should only be the first rung on the ladder. INTERMEDIATE 2019? What a championship we have in store next season...the only sad thing is we have to wait until June to see it unfold. For sure Meath will be pushing hard to go one step further than this season, while the relegated Tipperary side will feel they are good enough to be competing with the country's top teams. Newly promoted junior champions Limerick will seek to settle into their new surrounding as soon as possible, but then you have a Sligo team who have lost in the last two All-Ireland intermediate semi-finals and Connacht champions Roscommon who are a coming, young side too. Derry, Clare, Longford and Wicklow will feel they could have had more fruitful campaigns this time round so watch this space. With the massive 50,000 attendance mark broken for the first time the ladies' game is in rude health. Who will be next to join the party at the top table? By DECLAN ROONEY BIG DAY KNOWHOW... With last year's TG4 intermediate All- Ireland final loss still fresh in their minds, Tyrone must be absolutely delighted with the performance they produced to oust Meath and make the return to the senior ranks for 2019. In the pre-match build-up it was wondered what benefit Tyrone would take from experiencing last year's final, and in the early exchanges it was quite lear which team felt more at home in their surroundings. Meath did kick the first point, but Tyrone settled quickly and scored an unanswered 3-1 by the 13 th minute. Considering they won by nine points in the end it shows how important that period was. But despite losing out Meath manager Eamonn Murray will take huge positives from Meath's season. Top of the list will be experience they now have of playing in Croke Park, and maybe – like Tyrone – they can use that knowhow and disappointment to drive them to new heights next season. NAILING THE BASICS... When you look back at this year's TG4 All-Ireland intermediate final both teams will come out of it with huge credit, but it seems that Tyrone's ability on the ball set them apart from their rivals. Like their compatriots in the men's game, Gerry Moane's side looked a class part in transitioning from defence into attack. Their half-back line looked comfortable carrying the ball at pace, while the playmaking abilities of the experienced Neamh Woods at midfield was a sight to behold too.