Meath lose and Mick O'Dowd steps down

Meath exited the All-Ireland SFC 2A today at Owenbeg when they lost by three points (1-11 to 1-14) against Derry and manager Mick O'Dowd stepped down from his position immediately after the game.

Wind-assisted Meath were ahead by 1-8 to 0-4 at the interval with the goal coming from a Michael Newman tap-in after 26 minutes, it was one of three goal chances that the Royal County created in the opening half as they dictated for long periods.

Newman added three points (two frees)with a brace each from Graham Reilly and Cillian O'Sullivan and the opening point from Padraic Harnan after only two minutes. Derry stayed in touch with three points from Mark Lynch (one free) and James Kielt.

However, Derry dominated the second-half and reeled of six points in as many minutes after the resumption and when Niall Loughlin rifled to net for the hosts with three minutes remaining it sealed the victory for Derry.

Meath only managed three points after the resumption and they finished without Donal Keogan who was replaced due to to concusssion.

Meath – Paddy O'Rourke; Seamus Lavin, Donal Keogan, Mickey Burke (0-1); Darragh Smyth, Cian O'Brien, Alan Douglas;Padraic Harnan (0-1), Harry Rooney; Donnacha Tobin, Graham Reilly (0-2), Cillian O'Sullivan (0-2 frees); Brian McMahon, Donal Lenihan, Michael Newman (1-4 three frees). Subs – Eamonn Wallace for McMahon 42 mins, Dalton McDonagh for Newman 52m, Andrew Tormey (0-1) for Lenihan 60m, Sean Tobin for Keogan 64m.