Longford issue departure notice for Meath minors

Meath's interest in the Leinster MFL ended at Ballinalee on Saturday when they were eliminated from the competition by hosts Longford. A draw would have earned the Royal County a final place, but Longford possessed too much ammunition and were worthy of a place in the decider. This completed a poor month for Meath teams against Longford following the demise of the u-21s last week in the provincial quarter-final, after extra-time at Pairc Tailteann. And two of those u-21 Longford players featured for the hosts and made Saturday's visit to the well-appointed Maguire Park in Ballinalee so forgettable. Robert Smith, who scored four points in the u-21 quarter-final win, and James McGivney claimed seven points between them for Longford on Saturday. Smith claimed a brace of points near the end which denied Meath a victory that would have been hard-earned. Smith was also denied a goal in the closing stages when his effort was cleared off the line by Neil Shortall who collided with the post in the process of averting the danger and limped off with a knee injury. There was a championship edge to the game for the group's unbeaten teams with a place in the final at stake. Meath welcomed three players from St Patrick's CS, Navan into the fray with Clann na nGael duo Oran Fitzpatrick and Ciaran Fitzsimons joined by Summerhill's Barry Dardis. Wind-assisted Meath were always playing second fiddle in the opening half and were under pressure from the throw-in. Goalkeeper Jack Walsh had to be alert as early as the third minute when he parried for a '45' after Smith, Tim Jackson and Danny Mimnagh combined to make an opening. Meath looked potent going forward and were ahead from Bobby O'Brien's free after Robert Farrelly was fouled. However, opting to play a two-man full-forward line with the benefit of the elements often left it easy for Longford at the back as Meath managed only three more points for the half on the way to a 0-4 to 0-5 interval deficit. Dardis (two, one free) and Farrelly hit the target, but it was at the other end where Meath had major problems as they tried to curb the twin threat of Smith and McGivney. Corner-back Fitzpatrick picked up a yellow card midway through the half and was replaced by Cathal Finn who was also cautioned midway through the second-half as Longford piled on the pressure. McGivney (two frees), Smith, Gary Maguire and Barry McKeown helped Longford to that one-point interval advantage, but within 10 seconds of the resumption O'Brien had Meath on terms (0-5 each) with a fine point from play. Half-time substitutes Barry McConnon and Cormac Madden replaced Robert Clarke and Dardis in the half-forward line, but it was at the back, once more, that Meath struggled as Smith pushed Longford ahead again before a defensive lapse gifted McGivney a point. Meath countered and Farrelly was denied a goal by the woodwork, but O'Brien pointed from the rebound and Seamus Mattimoe drew the sides level (0-7 each) by the end of the third-quarter. Then Meath conceded another point of the soft variety when Cillian Lynn's effort bounced on the edge of the square and over the bar as more hesitancy was visible. Credit to the Meath players for the character and determination they displayed as they upped the tempo, but there was no reward on the scoreboard. The pressure, however, was telling on the Longford sideline when one mentor shouted at Louth referee David Fedigan - "the last five frees have gone to Meath" - before Smith gave the mentors an antidote for anxiety with another point. O'Brien continued to lead Meath's attacking threat and after he was fouled, Farrelly pointed, but Smith made an opening for Mimnagh at the other end. Meath refused to capitulate and were on terms again through substitute David Donnellan and Anthony Forde following a great run from a deep position. Longford were able to rely on Smith for the lead again, after his goal chance was cleared by Shortall, but another substitute, Charles Brogan had Meath on terms as the clock ticked into injury-time. Smith's late point sent Longford into the decider and Meath back to the training ground in preparation for the first round of the Leinster MFC against Louth on Saturday 16th April. Longford - C Farrell; M Mc|Hugh, B Collum, B O'Farrell; J Gill, S Clarke, C Clarke; T Jackson, B McKeown (0-1); M Breslin, G Maguire (0-1), D Mimnagh 0-1); C Lynn (0-1), R Smith (0-5 one free), J McGivney (0-3 two frees). Subs - E Noonan for S Clarke 47m; M Mulligan for Gill 52m; A Madden for Maguire 57m. Meath - Jack Walsh Navan O'Mahonys); Oran Fitzpatrick (Clann na nGael), Conor McGill (Ratoath), Neil Shortall (St Vincent's / Curraha); Anthony Forde (Moynalvey 0-1), Shane Melia (Donaghmore / Ashbourne), Shane McEntee (Dunboyne); Niall Hannon (Dunshaughlin); Adam Flanagan (Clonard), Robert Clarke (Duleek / Bellewstown), Bobby O'Brien (Ratoath 0-3), Barry Dardis (Summerhill 0-2 one free); Willie McGrath (Ballinlough / Inny Gaels), Ciaran Fitzsimons (Clann na nGael), Robert Farrelly (Oldcastle 0-2 one free). Subs - Cathal Finn (Dunboyne) for Fitzpatrick 22 mins; Seamus Mattimoe (Round Towers 0-1 free) for Fitzsimons 29m; Barry McConnon (Killary Emmets) for Clarke and Cormac Madden (Walterstown) for Dardis both half-time; Charles Brogan (Carnaross 0-1) for Hannon 40m; David Donnellan (Walterstown 0-1) for Farrelly 50m; Thomas Rooney (Drumconrath / Meath Hill) for Shortall 58m. Referee - David Fedigan (Louth).