Opening day win for Meath in Navan

Meath opened their NFL Div 2 campaign on a winning note in front of some 4,000 spectators at Pairc Tailteann today with a 3-18 to 4-11 victory over Galway in a hugely entertaining contest.

Unlike the last game at Pairc Tailteann when the throw-in was delayed due to delays at the turnstiles caused by faulty ticket machines, it was all fairly smooth today as supporters flocked to the ground in good time for the 2pm start.

It didn't look too promising for the Royal County when they trailed by two points (2-4 to 2-6) at the interval.

Meath goalkeeper Paddy O'Rourke also saved a penalty close to the interval that the home supporters felt was harsh after Davy Dalton was penalised.

Stephen Bray and Michael Newman scored the first-half goals and early in the second-half Galway lost Sean Armstrong to a black card following a 'challenge' on Meath full back Kevin Reilly.

Cillian O'Sullivan added a third goal for Meath in that second-half and Mickey Burke sent over what was an insurance point near the end as Galway threatened a late rally.

Meath will play Monaghan in Clones next Sunday - Monaghan were held to a draw by Down in Newry.

 

ALL THE RESULTS

DIVISION 1
Cork 0-18, Westmeath 0-10. 
Kildare 2-19, Mayo 2-18.

DIVISION 2
Down 1-11, Monaghan 0-14.
Donegal 2-19, Laois 1-9.
Louth 0-16, Armagh 1-13.
Meath 3-18, Galway 4-11.

DIVISION 3
Cavan 1-12, Fermanagh 0-11.
Roscommon 0-13, Longford 0-10.
Sligo 0-15, Limerick 0-13.
Wexford 1-14, Offaly 0-12.

DIVISION 4
Tipperary 2-24, Carlow 1-8.

Leitrim 1-11,Antrim 1-6.
Clare 3-10, Waterford 1-9 
Wicklow 3-13, London 1-8.

Conall Collier