Updated: Wednesday, 20th January, 2010 4:52pm

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Royal County students eager to retain Leinster title

by Conall Collier

Meath 5-17, Offaly 2-4

Liam Tolan in action for Meath during their comprehensive victory over Offaly in the Leinster VEC championship.

Defending Leinster VEC Inter-County champions Meath got their 2010 campaign off to a winning start with a comprehensive victory over Offaly at Dunganny on Saturday.

Originally, Meath had received a bye into the semi-final of the competition, but when a late application to participate was accepted from Offaly, it produced Saturday's unexpected quarter-final tie for the team.

The game turned out to be a useful exercise for manager Kit Henry who can now look forward to next Saturday's semi-final against Longford.

"We didn't have a chance for any great preparations for this game over the last few weeks due to the weather conditions," the Meath manager told the Meath Chronicle.

"Thankfully we were able to avail of the facilities here at Dunganny and it was great to be able to play the game on the all-weather pitch.

"We managed to have a training session last week and we had 34 players who turned out for that.

"It's great to get a response like that, but Kells and Ratoath students have boosted the panel and that has actually brought a great balance to the side.

"This game turned out to be a bit of a surprise because we originally had a bye into the last four, but Offaly were facilitated and I'm pleased that we got the game under our belt ahead of next Saturday's semi-final," he added.

Meath will face Longford in that semi-final next Saturday at Dunganny in a repeat of last year's first round clash which the Royal County won.

Longford proved too strong for a determined Kildare side at Ballymahon last Saturday and won by two points following a tight game, 1-10 to 1-8.

"There's no doubting that this victory will benefit the team, there are plenty of good players and we have a strong bench as well," remarked the manager.

"Longford could be the dark horse of the competition this year, but if we can get another session with the players this week, then we have to approach next Saturday's game with some confidence," added Henry who will again be guiding the fortunes of Louth side Mattock Rangers this year.

"Regarding the championship in Louth, there will be a bit of pressure on this year as we attempt to retain the SFC title, but hopefully we will manage that and maybe get a run in the Leinster club championship," he added.

Meath were always in control of what turned out to be a one-sided contest although they trailed briefly after 10 minutes when Offaly took a 1-2 to 0-4 lead when Andrew Munnelly found the net.

There was a touch of irony to that score as Munnelly is from Meath, but attends school in Offaly.

The lead lasted scarcely 60 seconds as Danny McGovern rifled to the net at the other end following good approach play by Liam Tolan and Cian O'Brien.

Meath were ahead by 2-12 to 1-3 at the interval with McGovern finding the net again to take his first-half tally to 2-2. The remaining points flowed from Andy O'Brien (four), Liam Tolan (three) and one each by Bryan McMahon, Phelim Dowling and Ryan Tighe.

Offaly were not as bad as the final scoreline suggests, but they were unable to cope with Meath's fluency which made all the difference and the scores flowed in the second-half.

Further goals from McMahon, Liam Tolan and substitute Fionn Ferguson eased the Royal County into the semi-final, but they will not read too much into the margin of victory as they prepare for Saturday's semi-final against Longford.

Meath - Conor McHugh (Oldcastle); Ollie Sheridan (Kells), Anthony Owens (Nobber), Paddy Kennedy (Dunshaughlin); Matthew Devine (Ashbourne), Gavin Eiffe (Ratoath), Ryan Tighe (Oldcastle) 0-2; Cian O'Brien (Ratoath), Phelim Dowling (Ashbourne) 0-1; Bobby O'Brien (Ratoath) 0-1, Daniel McGovern (Kells) 2-2, Sean Sheridan (Longwood); Bryan McMahon (Ratoath) 1-1; Andy O'Brien (Ashbourne) 0-5, Liam Tolan (Ashbourne) 1-5. Subs - Alastair Doyle (Dunshaughlin) for Sheridan, Conor McGill (Ashbourne) for Owens both half-time, Adam Gannon (Longwood) for McMahon, Fionn Ferguson (Kells) 1-0 for Tolan both 50 mins; Andy Haslam (Ratoath) for Dowling 55m.

Offaly - M Carragher; MJ Pierse, J Gethings, J Egan; M Hackett, C Lowry, A Smith; P Camon, C Donoghue; A McDonagh, B Cushen, A Foster (0-1); S Quirke (0-1), A Munnelly (1-1), N Wynn. Subs - D Nolan (1-0) for Foster 35 mins; J O'Connor for Smith 40 mins.

Referee - Sean Carroll (Westmeath).