Preparations continue

Meath lost out to Kerry in a very competitive SF challenge at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on Friday evening with a number of players making a return to action after spells out through injury. One of those who turned out in what is the most recent chapter in a long-running saga to regain full fitness was Nobber"s Brian Farrell who helped himself to three points. He gave what was described as an 'impressive' display before he was substituted as a precaution. Nigel Crawford who has been sidelined for the past few weeks with a hamstring injury lined out at midfield with Mark Ward. Both players slotted over a point apiece. Crawford and Ward were said to have competed well against a Kerry midfield that included Darragh O Se. At full-back Anthony Moyles had a tough test against Tommy Walsh, but did well in containing the giant Kerry full-forward while Niall McKeigue also had a impressive outing in the Meath defence. The visitors led for lengthy spells and it was only in the closing stages that Kerry racked up the points for victory. Meath"s top scorer was Cian Ward who notched up seven points and played well while Brian Sheridan did his cause no harm when he came on as a substitute and contributed 1-1. Stephen Bray, with two points, and a McKeigue effort that split the posts, made up Meath"s tally. The Meath team had a more familiar look about it than in recent challenges against Galway and Leitrim when a large number of player on the fringe of the panel were utilised. Kevin Reilly made the trip to Kerry however, he did not play as he is still recovering from an injury while Cormac McGill and David Bray are other players on the injured list. The Kerry game was played behind closed doors and the following day, Saturday, Meath returned to the famous stadium for a training session. Meath - P O"Rourke; S Sheridan, A Moyles, E Harrington; S Kenny, N McKeigue (0-1), C McGuinness; M Ward (0-1), N Crawford (0-1); S McAnarney, C Ward (0-7), B Meade; S Bray (0-2), C King, B Farrell (0-3). Sub - B Sheridan (1-1) for Farrell.