Monaghan had to dig deep before advancing to their fifth consecutive final, at Summerhill yesterday. The holders missed two penalties, one in each half, and trailed for most of the match after former All Star, Christine O'Brien, pointed to give Meath a first-minute lead. Playing with the aid of a stiff first-half breeze, Meath were well worth their 1-6 to 0-2 interval lead with the goal coming nine minutes before the break from Eimear McAuley.

However, Monaghan were the stronger side in the second half and, although they still trailed 0-8 to 1-8 with 11 minutes remaining after Mairead Kelly struck an upright with her second penalty, Edel Byrne put them in front seven minutes from the finish and they stayed there.

Monaghan: B McAnespie; M Murphy, C Brady, A O'Reilly; M Kelly, E McElvaney, N Kindlan (0-1); J Greenan, L Farrelly; M Kierans (0-2), E Byrne (0-5), J Treanor; A Larkin (0-3), B Swift, D Dempsey (0-1). Subs: A O'Reilly for Swift; K McGuinness (0-1) for Dempsey.

Meath: M Fox; J Quinn, M Price, P McNelis; D Mangan, M Dennehy, A-M Fox; D O'Carroll, N McNelis (0-1); L McKeever, D Shaw (0-1), C O'Brien (0-2); E O'Carroll (0-2), E McAuley (1-1), D McGoldrick (0-1). Subs: B Dennehy for A-M Fox.

Referee: F O'Driscoll (Dublin).