Good display by Meath u-21 footballers

Meath u-21 footballers took a major step forward with a merited second round Hastings Cup victory against Roscommon at the Clann na nGael ground outside Athlone this afternoon in very heavy underfoot conditions as Syddan's Daire Rowe claimed an impressive tally of 1-9.

Meath were ahead by a point, 0-8 to 0-7, at the interval following a well-contested opening half during which the teams were level on three occasions.

However, Meath totally dictated the second-half with Ratoath's Joey Wallace rewarded for a big contribution with a brace of points.

At the back there was a solid display by Michael Flood, Dan O'Neill and Robert Garry, but it was Rowe's performance that illuminated a dull afternoon (weather) with his goal arriving in the 50th minute.

Meath – Johnny Lynch (Moynalty); Michael Flood (St Brigid's), Dan O'Neill (Wolfe Tones), Robert Garry (Rathkenny 0-1); Shaun Byrne (Donaghmore / Ashbourne), Thomas McGovern (Donaghmore / Ashbourne); Niall Kane (Simonstown Gaels); Robert Bourke (Trim), Niall O'Reilly (Wolfe Tones); Fionn Reilly (Gaeil Colmcille 0-1 '45'), Joey Wallace (Ratoath 0-2), Kevin Ryan (Summerhill 0-2); David Toner (Curraha 0-2), Thomas O'Reilly (Wolfe Tones), Daire Rowe (Syddan 1-9 seven frees).

Subs - Caolach halligan (Rathkenny) for Reilly 49 mins, Liam Ferguson (Gaeil Colmcille) for Ryan 52m, Ruairi O'Grady (St Colmcille's) for Wallace 57m.

Meath will go into next weekend's third round tie against Westmeath knowing that win will get them another game the following week in either the Cup semi-final or the Shield semi-final.

HASTINGS CUP STATS

GROUP 1
                   P W D L F A   Pts
Westmeath   2 2 0 0 33 18  4

Meath          2 1 0 1 32 27   2

Cavan         2 1 0 1 24 31   2

Roscommon 2 0 0 2 21 34   0

RESULTS

FIRST ROUND

Group 1

Cavan 1-13, Meath 0-12
Westmeath 0-14, Roscommon 0-10.

Group 2

Longford 2-13, Wicklow 0-5

Offaly 1-13, Leitrim 0-13.

SECOND ROUND
Group 1
Meath 1-17, Roscommon 0-11
Westmeath 4-7, Cavan 0-8.

Group 2
Leitrim 0-13, Longford 1-10
Offaly 2-12, Wicklow 1-6

NEXT UP

Saturday 16th January

Group 1
Meath v Westmeath
Cavan v Roscommon
Group 2
Longford v Offaly
Leitrim v Wicklow