Sensational finish at Stradbally

An exciting, controversial finish and an absorbing encounter tonight as Meath qualified for the semi-finals of the O'Byrne Cup in a sensational game at Stradbally when they finished up on a level terms (Meath 2-13, Laois 1-16) with an added time penalty goal from Kevin Ross earning Meath's ticket to the last four.

A 68th minute substitute Declan Smyth was surging forward when referee Fergal Kelly spotted an infringement off-the-ball in the Laois square and after consulting with an umpire awarded the penalty that Ross converted.

Colm Begley countered with a laois point to earn the draw, but Meath go through.

This was a game that generated a lot of interest and a large contingent of Meath supporters had plenty to talk about on the way home as the hosts may feel a little bit aggrieved with that late decision.

The game featured a first start between the posts for Joe Sheridan in a competitive game. The Seneschalstown man had already played in that position in a challenge game against Roscommon in Kiltoom before Christmas.

The first-half was a lively and high-scoring encounter with Meath taking a 1-10 to 0-10 interval advantage from Donal Lenihan's first-quarter goal after Paddy Kennelly made the opening with a long ball that broke kindly.

Meath enjoyed a 1-9 to 0-4 advantage at one stage in that opening half, but Laois finished strongly and closed the gap.

Meath's first-half point men were Kevin Ross and Graham Reilly (three each), Lenihan, Bryan McMahon, Cillian O'Sullivan and Cian O'Brien while Gary Walsh (three), Sean Ramsbottom (two), Cormac Murphy, Donie Kingston, Niall Donoher, Kevin Meaney and Colm Begley sent over for Laois.

Andy McEntee introduced Alan Forde at half-time for Brian Power and Adam Flanagan replaced David McQuillan six minutes into the second-half.

Flanagan went in at midfield with Menton moving into the rearguard, but the hosts resumed that second-half smartly and after Cian O'Brien extended Meath's lead with a fine point.

Laois had a goal and two points from Kingston for 1-12 to 1-11 lead by the 39th minute.

As the game gathered momentum the score remained at a one-point advantaghe to the hosts by the end of the third-quarter.

Meath substitute Sean Tobin drew the sides level when he pointed with almost his first touch, but Walsh countered and restored the Laois advantage
with 13 minutes remaining.

David Conway then blasted a Laois goal chance over the bar to make it 1-14 to 1-12 with eight minutes remaining as Meath battled to regain the initiative.

Another Meath substitute, Bobby O'Brien, sent over an important point to leave the minimum in it, but Kingstown replied with a point at the other end almost instantly as the clocked ticked down into the final five minutes.

However, there was that sensational finish as Meath earned a draw and will now play the semi-final in Páirc Táilteann on Sunday week.

Meath - Joe Sheridan (Seneschalstown); Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), David McQuillan (St Patrick’s), Mickey Burke (Longwood); Conor Downey (Na Fianna), Brian Power (Ratoath), Sean Curran (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Bryan Menton (Donaghmore / Ashbourne), Cian O’Brien (Ratoath 0-2); Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey 0-1), Graham Reilly (St Colmcille’s 0-3), Paddy Kennelly (Dunderry); Bryan McMahon (Ratoath 0-1), Kevin Ross (Castletown 1-3), Donal Lenihan (Dunboyne 1-1). Subs - Alan Forde (Navan O'Mahonys) for Power half-time, Adam Flanagn (Clonard) for McQuillan 41 mins, Bobby O'Brien (Ratoath 0-1) for Kennelly 45m, Sean Tobin (Simonstown Gaels 0-1) for Lenihan 52m, Fiachra Ward (Wolfe Tones) for McMahon and David Toner (Curraha) for O'Sullivan both 60m, Declan Smyth (Dunsany) for Downey 68m.

 

See the Meath Chronicle on Tuesday for Fergal Lynch's report and analysis on the game plus reaction from Andy McEntee