Late flourish helps Meath hurlers to a narrow victory

Meath collected their first NHL Div 3A points of a poor campaign when they won the basement battle against Armagh at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday. The result was more important than the performance, but it was only when Meath were reduced to 14 men that they started to hurl with a degree of self-belief. That straight red card was issued to Stephen Clynch midway through the second-half after Peter Durnin's goal gave Meath a 1-14 to 1-12 advantage. Clynch's early exit resulted following a discussion between referee Ray Matthews and his umpires as an Armagh defender received treatment in the square. The departure of the Kilmessan player had a galvanising impact on the hosts and they reeled off five more points from Nicky Horan (three frees), Derek Doran and Durnin for a 1-19 to 1-12 advantage with seven minutes remaining. Armagh staged a late rally, but that was also disrupted when they had Ryan Gaffney red-carded following a challenge on Meath centre-back Paul Fagan under a high ball in the square. The Ulster side, who managed a draw in Navan 12 months ago (1-20 to 2-17), finished with a little bit of a flourish although their rhythm was broken by a well-taken Joey Keena point near the end. A victory for Meath looked an unlikely outcome as the Royal County trailed by two points (0-10 to 1-9) at the interval. Meath were under early pressure and missed a gilt-edged opportunity for a goal when Nicky Horan's third minute penalty was saved by Armagh custodian Simon Doherty. Armagh dominated the opening quarter against the wind and by deploying full-forward Paul McCormack as an extra-midfielder, they rendered Meath full-back Enda Fitzgerald redundant. McCormack picked up a lot of loose possession and drove Armagh forward with great purpose as they established that interval advantage. The Keady clubman also claimed a brace of long-range points from play as Armagh posed too many questions for a sometimes pedestrian-looking Meath attack. Declan Coulter reeled off six points (one free) while Michael Lennon also sent over. Cathal Carvill claimed the goal in the 22nd minute after Ger Enright's initial effort was blocked in a goalmouth scramble. Meath produced glimpses of quality although it was a disappointing half for Clynch who managed one point. Nicky Horan (four, two frees), Doran and Durnin (two each) and Keena kept Meath in touch on the way to that two-point interval deficit. Durnin worked hard to create an opening for a goal two minutes from the interval, but his shot was parried by Doherty who stood up strong in the square. Meath were on level terms three minutes after the resumption with a brace of points from Doran, but John Corvan replied for Armagh. Nicky Horan converted a free before half-time substitute Ger O'Neill was subjected to a couple of questionable tackles. The Antrim referee wasn't impressed and O'Neill was the victim of another challenge later in the game. He was eventually replaced near the end due to injury. Armagh were beginning to take control again when O'Neill's lengthy centre was finished to the net by Durnin, but Clynch's departure seemed to inspire Meath to greater efforts and they recorded a vital win as they bid to stave of the spectre of relegation to the fourth grade. SCORERS Meath - N Horan 0-8 six frees, P Durnin 1-3, D Doran 0-6, J Keena 0-2, S Clynch 0-1. Armagh - D Coulter 0-11 two '65s', one free, C Carvill 1-0, M Lennon 0-3, P McCormack 0-2, J Corvan 0-1. THE TEAMS Meath - S McGann; D Donoghue, E Fitzgerald, W Mahady; M Horan, P Fagan, M Lynch; D Kirby, P Keogh; J Keena, S Clynch, P Geoghegan; D Doran, N Horan, P Durnin. Subs - G O'Neill for Geoghegan half-time, N Kirby for D Kirby 47m, S Donoghue for O'Neill 70m. Armagh - S Doherty; P Gaffney, N Curry, F Woods; S McNaughton, R McGrath, C Clifford; B Breen, J Corvan; R Gaffney, C Carvill, M Lennon; D Coulter, P McCormack, G Enright. Subs - J King for Clifford 18 mins, C McKee for McNaughton 45m, C Corvan for Breen 54m. REFEREE Ray Matthews (Antrim)