Meath edged out by Carlow

Meath gave it their best shot, but just couldn't get the required victory in the third round of the Joe McDonagh Cup against Carlow at Dr Cullen Park as they were edged out 1-14 to 0-21.

Meath produced a battling first-half performance and were on level terms at the interval after Paddy Conneely's well-taken goal in the 32nd minute gave them a perfect boost.

Conneely also sent over five first-half points (four frees) with Shane Brennan, Adam Gannon and Gavin McGowan also claiming points from play.

Carlow were on the front foot for most of the half with Denis Murphy capitalising on defensive Meath infringements by converting seven frees while Chris Nolan (two), James Doyle and Paul Coady pointed from play.

Fifteen minutes into the second-half it was level at 1-12 to 0-15 as Meath got on terms with points from Alan Douglas, Conneely, Adam Gannon and Gavin McGowan while Carlow replied through Edward Byrne,  Murphy, Doyle and Nolan.

Meath hit the front at the three-quarter stage when McGowan split the posts but significantly, they only managed one more point and that was from Conneely in the 70th minute.

In between those scores Carlow upped the tempo and also produced a few cynical tackles as Meath went in search of a vital goal.

However, the crucial Carlow points arrived from three Nolan efforts (one free), Richard Kelly, Doyle and David English as the hosts carved out a hard-earned victory.