Meath lose to Offaly in Celtic Challenge

Meath played their third game in the new-look under17 hurling competition, the Celtic Challenge, at Trim tonight and were edged out by a strong Offaly side as the visitors won by 1-21 to 1-13.

The eight-point defeat deprived Meath of a losing bonus point and they will now head into next week's final group game away to Dublin with only one win from three outings.

Meath were on level terms tonight at half-time (1-7 each) with Nicky Potterton claiming the Meath goal.

Offaly upped the tempo in the second-half and were worthy winners.

Meath - Aaron Dunne (Killyon); Cormac Butler (Ratoath), Brin Kelly (KIldalkey), Sean Coffey (Na Fianna); Jamie Connolly (Longwood), Oisin Coffey (Na Fianna), Darren Hennessy (Rathmolyon); Sean Martin (Na Fianna 0-3 one free, one '65'), Mikey Mullen (Killyon); Brian Dowling (Trim 0-2 one free), Jamie Leavy (Dunderry 0-1), Evan Fitzgerald (Kildalkey 0-2); Darragh Gilmartin (Dunboyne), Tom Fadden (Ratoath0-5), Nicky Potterton (Kildalkey 1-0).

Subs used - Adam Murphy (KIltale), Conor Hayes (Kildalkey), Evan Buckley (Trim), Conor O'Farrell (Donaghmore/Ashbourne).