Meath edged out in Aughrim with Laois next in Leinster semi
Despite losing by two points (1-8 to 1-10) to hosts Wicklow this evening, already qualified Meath can now look forward to a Leinster MFC semi-final against Laois on Saturday writes Brendan Graham.
Wicklow battled their way to that two-point victory over Meath in sweltering conditions at Joule Park in Aughrim this evening to ensure their qualification along with Meath as the semi-finalists from Group 1 at Dublin’s expense in the Minor Football Championship.
The opening score of the game went to the hosts and came after six minutes when John Keogh was fouled close to goal and Matthew Ging converted the free in front of goal.
Amazingly, this was to be the only score inside the opening qo minutes with both sides shooting five wides each in the early stages of the game.
The Meath men worked themselves into plenty of good positions and had lots of the ball early on, but were struggling to settle into the game.
It took a score from Clonard man Niall Smullen after 11 minutes to get the Royals on the scoreboard and their opening score seemed to settle the nerves as they followed it up with the next three scores.
Smullen got his second of the evening moments after his first and points also from Joe Moore and Killian Price swung the scoreboard in Meath’s favour.
Some 22 minutes elapsed between Wicklow’s first and second scores, but as the first-half drew to a close Ging popped up with a further two scores to leave two points in it at half time with Meath ahead by 0-5 to 0-3.
Wicklow came out with a pep in their step in the second-half scoring 1-2 in the opening five minutes to lead the game for the first time, with 1-1 from Craig Maguire.
A real ding dong battle commenced for the remainder of the game with Wicklow needing a draw or better to advance to the semi-finals.
A goal from the hugely impressive Smullen put Meath back into the ascendency heading into the final 15 minutes, but a brave Wicklow side never panicked and responded well with their own scores anytime Meath registered on the board.
A 50-metre Oisin Darcy free and a late Ging point from in front of the posts ensured Wicklow secured the all important victory that ensures they advance to the semi-final this weekend.
Meath were already through prior to this evening's fixture and will now play Laois in Portlaoise at 12pm (midday) with Wicklow travelling to Newbridge to face Kildare.
Wicklow - Ben Fennell; Fionn O’Carroll, Samuel Kearney, Tom Moran; Kevin Quinn, Oisin Cullen (1-0), Gavin Fogarty; Eoghan Byrne, Sean Doody; Alan Barrett, Craig Maguire (0-2), John Keogh (0-1); Matthew Ging (0-5), Eoin Darcy (0-1), Andy Foley. Subs - Shaun Cranley (0-1) for Gavin Fogarty, Jack Fleming for Alan Barrett.
Meath - Eoin Griffin; Adam Barrett, Jack Dardis, Killian Price (0-2); Luke Newe, Conor Harford, Oisin McCloskey; Adam Reilly, Killian Hogan; Adam Treanor, Colin Hawdon (0-1), Dylan Morgan; Adam Kelly, Niall Smullen (1-2), Joe Moore (0-2). Subs - Sean Martyn for Adam Kelly,, Niall Bennett for Luke Newe, Conor Hetherton for Conor Harford, David Carr for Dylan Morgan, Darragh Swaine (0-1) for Adam Treanor, Cillian Hegarty for Adam Reilly.