London prove too strong for Meath hurlers

Only seven days after they won the Kehoe Cup Meath hurlers travelled to London for their opening game in the NHL Div 3A against the hosts at Ruislip. Buoyed by that encouraging performance against Wicklow in the Kehoe Cup decider, Meath were optimistic about making a positive start to the campaign as they bid to move up to a higher grade. However, on this occasion, the Royal County hurlers came up short in windy conditions and finished the game with 14 players after Ger O'Neill was dismissed early in the second-half. London dictated from the throw-in and with Martin Finn leading the way on the scoreboard the hosts were ahead by seven points at the interval (1-7 to 0-3). Meath were battling to stay in contention during the opening half, but when Finn rifled to the net from a 29th minute penalty it left the Royal County facing a major task for the second-half. After the resumption Meath were reduced to 14 players when O'Neill was sent-off, but they rallied briefly and managed three quick points which reduced the deficit to four. London regained the initiative and were well in control before Meath substitute Mike Cole capitalised on a defensive lapse for a goal which put a more respectable look on the scoreboard. Meath manager Cillian Farrell will have to get his players focused quickly as they will face Wicklow in the second round of the league on Sunday. This will provide the men from the Garden County with a perfect opportunity to avenge that Kehoe Cup final reversal and they will also be eager to build on last weekend's 2-15 to 0-18 first round victory over Kildare in a highly-competitive game at Arklow. London - A Ryan; B Mulcahy, M Ryan, A Hogan; C Forde, N Healy (0-1 free), M Walsh; K Walsh, N Forde; S Ryan (0-2), R O'Connell (0-2), P Sloane (0-1); S Richardson, M Finn (1-7 penalty goal, four frees, three '65s'), H Vaughan. Subs - M Callinan for Richardson half-time; J McCarthy for K Walsh 51 mins; T Twomey for O'Connell 59m. Meath - S McGann; W Mahady, P Fagan, D Donoghue; M Horan, S Clynch, D Kirby; J Boyle, G O'Neill; J Keena, N Hackett (0-4 frees), P Geoghegan; D Doran, N Kirby (0-3 frees), T Durnin (0-1). Subs - P Keogh for Boyle 30 mins; B Slevin for Hackett 44m; M Cole (1-0) for Keena 61m. Referee - Pat Casey (Waterford)