Meath exit Leinster JFC at Pearse Park
Meath were punished for a dismal first-half performance at Pearse Park against hosts Longford last night where they exited the Leinster JFC on a 2-12 to 2-18 scoreline.
Meath trailed by 0-4 to 1-9 at the interval and looked like a well beaten team when they made a dejected walk towards the sanctuary of the dressing room. Meath were second all over the pitch in the opening 30 minutes and were fortunate to have points on the board from Ben Brennan and James McEntee (both frees), Oisin Kiernan and Anthony Burke.
Longford were denied a first minute goal by the crossbar, but found the net soon after when Brian Farrell left Nicky Judge chasing shadows, as he did for most of the half. Farrell added a brace of points as did Darren Gallagher, Pauric Gill and Rory Connor with Diarmuid Cooney completing the tally.
The performances of Oisin Kiernan from St Brigid's along with James McEntee, Stephen Crosby and substitutes Dara Rowe and Adam Gannon was vital as Meath were transformed after the break.
Two Chris O'Connor goals got the Royal County supporters cheering and put Longford briefly on the back foot.
McEntee, who was moved to centre-back, deserves huge credit for the first Meath goal as he won possession around his own 45 and started the move, Kevin Traynor was the link and he set up O'Connor who finished well at the end of the third-quarter.
O'Connor's second goal with nine minutes remaining reduced the deficit to only two points (2-10 to 1-15) and posed some serious questions for Longford who found the answers.
The hosts replied instantly with a Paul McKeon point, but Meath countered with points from James Toher and Crosby and that reduced the deficit to the minimum. Longford were there for the taking, but Meath couldn't finish them off.
When Longford's James McGivney embarked on a long solo from wing-back the alarm bells were ringing – he found Paul McKeon and Meath goalkeeper David Quirke had to pick the ball out of the net.
That score sealed the victory although Meath battled on and Dara Rowe was denied a goal by a smart save. On the positive side Meath won the second-half, a considerable achievement against a physically stronger Longford side.
However, it was the non-performance in the opening half, some poor decision-making and 13 wides that paved the way to the exit door. In mitigation – Meath were without Conor McGill, Neil Shortall, Ciaran Gillespie, Kevin Ross and David Raleigh who all featured against Wicklow.
Longford – P Collum; A Farrell, P Brady, G Smith; J McGivney (0-1), F Reilly, D Cooney (0-1); D Gallagher (0-2 one '45'), R McEntire; B McKeon (0-1), P McKeon (1-1), A Dalton (0-1); B Farrell (1-3), P Gill (0-6), R Connor (0-2 frees). Subs – D Farrelly for Farrell 13 mins, D Mimnagh for Gallagher 57m, P Kiernan for Connor 59m, D Quinn for Smith 60m.
Meath – David Quirke (Navan O'Mahonys); Nicky Judge (Ballinabrackey), Barry McConnon (Syddan); Ross Geraghty (Navan O'Mahonys), Cormac Rowe (Syddan), Oisin Kiernan (St Brigid's 0-2); James Toher (Trim 0-1), Kevin Traynor (Syddan); Bobby O'Brien (Ratoath 0-3), Ben Brennan (St Colmcille's 0-1 free), Chris O'Connor (Ballinabrackey 2-1); James McEntee (Curraha 0-1 free), Stephen Crosby (Drumconrath 0-1), Anthony Burke (Duleek/Bellewstown 0-1). Subs – Dara Rowe (Syddan 0-1) for C Rowe and Adam Gannon (Ballivor) for Burke both 34 mins, Conor Smith (St Ultan's) for Toher 58m.
Referee – Stephen Johnson (Louth).