Minors open with narrow home win

Meath's next generation of footballers opened their 2011 campaign at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday with a narrow Leinster MFL first round victory over Tipperary. The Munster boys were included in the new-look Leinster competition as a replacement for Kildare who withdrew. There are three groups with Longford and Carlow also included in the Meath section. Meath had to field without any of the St Patrick's CS, Navan players as they were on duty in the Leinster Colleges' SFC semi-final victory at Cusack Park, Tullamore and they will be absent again next weekend as the final is scheduled. The Meath boys started brightly in terms of chances created, but they managed only a paltry three points during an opening quarter in which Tipperary were on the backfoot. Evan Rogers, Tommy Rooney and Cillian O'Sullivan pointed, but a wide tally of five reflects the fragmented nature of Meath's finishing despite some very impressive approach play. James Kelly, Shane Landy and O'Sullivan all squandered gilt-edged goal chances as Tipperary custodian Colin O'Riordan produced excellent saves from point-blank range. Meath's wide tally increased to seven by half-time as they laboured to a 0-4 to 0-3 interval advantage with Rogers converting a 26th minute free which ended a 12-minute barren spell on the scoreboard for the hosts. Tipperary failed to score from play in the opening half, but stayed in touch from well-taken TJ Ryan frees. Scarcely two minutes into the second-half Meath were ahead by double scores after O'Sullivan and substitute James Toher split the posts. That seemed to ignite Tipperary's resolve and they were back on terms (0-6 each) soon after with a couple of Ryan points (one free) and a fine Philip Quirke effort. Meath tended to over-play the ball once they got inside the Tipperary 45-metre line and a number of promising moves fizzled out harmlessly while Tipperary grew in stature. The Munster boys forged ahead when Quirke sent over a superb long-range point from near the stand sideline, but Landy drew the sides level when he converted a 19th minute free. Greg Henry pointed Tipperary ahead again before O'Sullivan hit the target and restored parity. The Moynalvey player added another point as he took on a more potent appearance once he was moved out from his starting full-forward position. Toher also converted a free as the Royal County finished with 14 players. Second-half substitute Declan Smyth collected two yellow cards. Tipperary finished with a flourish, but were denied a late goal whe Alan O'Riordan's shot skimmed the top of the crossbar. Meath - Jack Walsh (Navan O'Mahonys); Cathal Finn (Dunboyne), Conor McGill (Ratoath), Kevin Lyons (Summerhill); Anthony Forde (Moynalvey), Neil Shortall (St Vincent's / Curraha), Shane McEntee (Dunboyne); Niall Hannon (Dunshaughlin), Adam Flanagan (Clonard); Seamus Mattimoe (Round Towers), James Kelly (Moynalvey), Tommy Rooney (Drumconrath / Meath Hill 0-1); Shane Landy (St Patrick's 0-1 free), Cillian O'Sullivan (Moynalvey 0-4), Evan Rogers (Donaghmore / Ashbourne 0-2 one free). Subs used - James Toher (Trim 0-2 one free) for Rogers, Declan Smyth (Dunsany) for Mattimoe both half-time, Cormac Madden (Donaghmore / Ashbourne) for Kelly, Barry McConnon (Killary Emmets) for Finn both 47 mins, Adrian Boland (Clonard) for Landy 50m, Ollie Sheridan (Moynalty) for Rooney 53m. Subs not used - Andrew Colgan (Donaghmore / Ashbourne), David Foley (Trim), Charles Brogan (Carnaross), William McGrath (Ballinlough / Inny Gaels), Robert Farrelly (Oldcastle), Colm O'Riordan (Ratoath), Aaron Ennis (Clann na nGael), Stephen Coogan (Dunderry), Robbie Clarke (Duleek / Bellewstown), Niall Martin (Drumconrath / Meath Hill). Tipperary - C O'Riordan; K Larkin, N O'Sullivan, A Maguire; S Delaney, D Butler, B Maher; J McGrath, S O'Brien; G Henry (0-1), D Lonegan, S Flynn; P Quirke (0-2), L McGrath, TJ Ryan (0-5 four frees). Subs - I Fahy for Delaney 42 mins, E Fitzgerald for McGrath 51m, A O'Riordan for Quirke 58m. Referee - Stephen Johnson (Louth).