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www.ladiesgaelic.ie | SUMMER 2022 | 13 INTERVIEW ROYALS ARE NO FLASH IN THE PAN year, but we grafted out a win [against Galway] and that's ultimately all we needed at the end of the day," Meath goalkeeper McGuirk said. "Especially going on all the results that happened...there was a lot of pressure going into this game (v Galway) after all those games. We just focused on ourselves. I think that one- hit wonder quote has probably now gone out the window." Nonetheless, Galway were perilously close to upsetting the apple cart in what was a compelling contest with the Royals at the Offaly venue. Seemingly on the way towards a convincing win, Meath were pegged back by a 1-2 blitz from the Westerners inside the final-quarter. Before Duggan's dramatic intervention, substitute Róisín- Leonard had an opportunity to edge Galway into the ascendancy that fell just short of the target. Extra-time was looming large at this point and McGuirk By Daire Walsh Regardless of how this weekend's TG4 All- Ireland senior championship semi-final showdown with Donegal transpires, Monica McGuirk is adamant the Meath Ladies footballers have firmly dismissed the notion that their extraordinary 2021 exploits were a flash in the pan. Having only sealed their return to the top- tier with an intermediate decider victory over Westmeath less than nine months earlier, the Royals sensationally dethroned a five-in-a- row chasing Dublin in the Brendan Martin Cup showpiece last September. Not only was this a first-ever senior triumph for Meath, but it was their maiden final appearance at the grade. Like any breakthrough sporting success, there were question marks surrounding Eamonn Murray's charges heading into this year and whether they had the wherewithal to maintain their challenge for top honours. However, Meath already have a LIDL National Football League Division One crown in the bag for 2022 and are just 60 minutes away from reaching yet another senior championship final. Despite being put to the pin of their collar by Connacht champions Galway at the quarter- final stage in O'Connor Park, Tullamore last Saturday evening, a last-gasp Emma Duggan point secured a 1-12 to 1-11 victory for the Leinster women. "That was a big thing. We didn't want to be one-hit wonders. We want to obviously go on and compete at a high level every year and we've proven to ourselves. Our wins haven't been pretty this Above: Meath goalkeeper Monica McGuirk during the TG4 Leinster LGFA Senior Championship Captain's Evening 2022 at Johnstown Estate Hotel in Meath Left: Cait Towe of Armagh in action against Niamh O'Sullivan of Meath during the TG4 All-Ireland SFC Group B Round 2 match between Armagh and Meath at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in Longford. 19 June 2022;