Meath hard-pressed to defeat Roscommon in NHL Div 2B
Meath had to work hard for their fourth successive NHL Div 2B victory when they got the better of Roscommon by 2-16 to 1-16 at Ashbourne tonight.
This game was originally scheduled for Athleague two weeks ago but was postponed due to the weather conditions and an unplayable pitch.
Roscommon conceded home advantage and travelled to Ashbourne tonight while the referee Rory McGann travelled from Clare and the fourth official made the trip from Sligo.
On the pitch Meath dictated the opening half and were ahead by 2-10 to 0-7 at half-time, but they were clinging on in the second-half as Roscommon made a brave bid for a first win.
Roscommon had the deficit down to a point (1-16 to 2-14) by the 67th minute, but they lost Jason Kilkenny to a second yellow card and Meath managed a couple of late points for a fortunate victory.
Sean Quigley top-scored for the winners with nine points while Neil Heffernan struck for two first half goals.
Cathal Kenny's goal 13 minutes into the second-half brought Roscommon back into contention and they reduced the deficit to the minimum in the closing stages.
Meath finished with those two late points from Quigley and Kevin Keena to seal the win.
Meath will play Wicklow in the fifth round on Sunday week in a totally meaningless game as both teams have already qualified for the final
Roscommon will face Mayo on Sunday week buoyed by tonight's performance in search of their first win in 2B.
Meath – S McGann; L Ferguson, S Whitty, C Reilly; P Kelly, K Keoghan, D Reilly (0-1); M O’Grady, S Quigley (0-9); M O’Sullivan (0-1), C McCabe, J Walsh; L Martyn, G McGowan (0-2), N Heffernan (2-1). Subs - D Kelly for P Kelly and S Brennan for Walsh both half-time, P Farrell for McGowan 45 mins, K Keena (0-2) for Martyn 49m, D Healy for McCabe 58m