Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 4:57pm

Over and out for another year as Meath falter

by Conall Collier

Westmeath 2-14, Meath 1-11

Damien Carroll in action for Meath during Saturday's Leinster u-21 FC quarter-final against Westmeath at Cusack Park.
Pic by==: 97

Referee Brian O'Shea's decision to issue a second yellow card to Meath's Kevin McCann 13 minutes from time hastened Meath's exit from the Leinster u-21 FC at Cusack Park, Mullingar on Saturday.

"The referee must have been the only person who thought that Kevin McCann deserved a yellow card," a disappointed Colm O'Rourke told the Meath Chronicle minutes after Westmeath had secured a St Patrick's Day semi-final joust with Laois in the provincial competition.

And it was easy to understand the manager's sentiments because the decision by the Dublin official to award even a free was questionable.

McCann was in pursuit of Westmeath wing-forward Conor Lynam who actually tripped himself up and went sprawling on the ground.

Awarding a free to Westmeath was a harsh enough punishment, but when O'Shea reached for his pocket and produced what was a second yellow card, it signalled the end of Meath's chances in this year's provincial competition.

However, McCann must also accept responsibility for the first-half caution he received, one that was totally avoidable and for which the referee was blameless.

Maybe it will turn out to be a good lesson for the Duleek / Bellewstown player going forward - perhaps a more disciplined approach by McCann would have made all the difference.

The teams were tied (1-10 to 2-7) when McCann departed , but Westmeath's John Heslin pointed the subsequent free and the home supporters sensed a victory that, up to that stage, looked unlikely.

Forced to withdraw Brian Sheridan from the attack to compensate for the loss of the defender, Meath lost their potency, adequately reflected in a solitary Craig Berrigan point for the remainder.

That was in stark contrast to the the opening exchanges. They were somewhat predictable in a positive way for Meath - get the ball to Brian Sheridan.

It didn't seem to matter where he was on the pitch, each time he applied the magic boot and the umpire reached for the white flag.

The Seneschalstown player claimed four of Meath's opening five points in a blistering nine-minute spell which left Westmeath playing catch-up.

Two points from play and two frees were augmented by a well-taken Mark Collins effort from play.

However, Westmeath's Paul Sharry waltzed through the Meath rearguard in the 13th minute for a morale-boosting goal and it took a good save from Paddy O'Rourke at the end of the first-quarter to deny Ian Coffey who got away from Gerry Sheridan too easily.

Gerry Sheridan was also culpable in the third minute when he slipped and Coffey raced clear. The Westmeath player was fouled and Conor Lynam pointed the resultant free.

At the other end Brian Sheridan added two more points from frees and Sean Dalton managed one from play before John Egan got the hosts on the scoreboard again which reduced the deficit to three points (1-2 to 0-8).

Meath were rocked again by the concession a rather soft second goal in the 23rd minute when James Durkan was put through by Cillian McCormack.

Westmeath hit the front for the first time through John Egan, but Brian Sheridan drew the sides level again from a free before the break (0-9 to 2-3).

Parity at the interval was a poor return for Meath and the concession of those two goals ultimately contributed to their demise.

The pace dropped after the resumption, but Meath got a crucial goal when substitute Michael Newman finished to the net after Brian Sheridan's initial effort was blocked by Westmeath goalkeeper Darren Quinn.

However, the deployment of centre-back Kieran Martin on Brian Sheridan allied to the inability of Conor Gillespie and Berrigan to dominate at midfield also contributed to Meath's demise. Westmeath midfielder Heslin gave an exhibition of high fielding and finished with five points to his credit.

The sides were tied at 1-10 to 2-7 at the end of the third-quarter, but when McCann made an early exit it signalled the end for Meath in this year's competition.

"That's the brutal nature of championship football at this level, you get one chance and if you lose, you're out," remarked O'Rourke.

Westmeath - D Quinn; B Moran, K Maguire, R Doyle; G Egan, K Martin, J Dolan; D Corroon, J Heslin (0-5, four frees, one sideline); P Sharry (1-0), J Egan (0-2), C Lynam (0-3 one free); I Coffey (0-1), C McCormack, J Durkan (1-1). Subs - T Mescasll for Doyle 21 mins; L Smyth (0-2) for Egan 37m; T McDaniel for Lynam 59m.

Meath - Paddy O'Rourke (Skryne); Ciaran Lenehan (Skryne), Sean Curran (Donaghmore / Ashbourne), Gerry Sheridan (Seneschalstown); Tommy Johnson (Dunshaughlin), Bryan Menton (Donaghmore / Ashbourne), Kevin McCann (Duleek / Bellewstown); Conor Gillespie (Summerhill), Craig Berrigan (Dunboyne 0-1); Alan Douglas (Trim), Mark Collins ((Duleek / Bellewstown 0-2), Graham Reilly (St Colmcille's); Damien Carroll (Ballinabrackey), Brian Sheridan (Seneschalstown (0-7, five frees), Sean Dalton (Summerhill 0-1). Subs - Michael Newman (Kilmainham 1-0) for Reilly 20 mins; Stephen O'Brien (Ratoath) for G Sheridan 39m; Bobby Lyons (Summerhill) for Carroll 50m.

Referee - Brian O'Shea (Dublin).

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