Big win for hurlers
When they needed it most, day-trippers Meath carved out a victory against London at Ruislip on Saturday to resurrect their NHL Div 2B ambitions. Following their defeat by Kildare in the opening round the previous week the Royal County needed to get a result in the English capital and they did just that. The Meath party travelled over early on Saturday morning, but they showed little sign of any fatigue as they took a firm stranglehold on proceedings. Despite playing against the wind Meath got off to a great start with Nicky Horan popping the ball between the posts from a free followed by a David Raleigh goal and all inside the first three minutes. It took London 15 minutes to get their first point from play. However this was one of only one of two points they would get from play over the hour. Meath continued to dominate play with Stephen Clynch bagging an excellent point on 22 minutes while Stephen Donoghue, Sean Heavey and Paul Fagan all won their individual battles. The visitors strengthened their position further when Nicky Horan netted on the half-hour mark to help them go in at the interval with a 2-2 to 0-5 advantage. With the wind behind them in the second-half Meath continued to add to their account with Durnin, Clynch and Horan pointing in succession to put further daylight between the sides. Durnin got his second point on the hour mark and two late scores from James Kelly and Heavey put the issue beyond doubt and by then it was time for the Meath contingent to think about making the flight home. Clynch and Heavey gave outstanding displays in what was an impressive overall team display when grit and determination was combined with plenty of skilful application. One aspect of the performance against London that Meath manager Cillian Farrell will be looking to improve on is the translation of opportunities into scores as 18 wides were registered. Against stronger opposition that could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Meath - S McGann; W Mahady, E Fitzgerald, C Reilly; S Heavey (0-1), P Fagan, E Keogh; S Clynch (0-2), S Donoghue; E Marsh, N Kirby, C Fitzsimons; D Raleigh (1-0), N Horan (1-2), P Durnin (0-2). Subs - M Cole for Fitzsimons, J Kelly (0-1) for Raleigh, S Morris for Donoghue, K Keoghan for Durnin.