Meath stumble to 10-point defeat
It's a long road to survival in NFL Div 1 as Meath slumped to their second defeat of the campaign as Donegal bagged three goals in a comfortable 3-8 to 0-7 victory at Pairc Tailteann today.
Home games were supposed to offer Meath some solace in what is a tough Div 1, but the concession of two first-half goals when playing with the wind at their backs left Meath with a mountain to climb in the second period and that task became even tougher when the visitors scored their third goal four minutes after the restart.
The early signs were good for Meath. They used the wind to decent effect and found space with clever passing and elusive running.
An excellent pass from Mathew Costello picked out Thomas O'Reilly for the opening score after two minutes, but Meath were pegged back by the first of a number of dubious refereeing decision which saw Conor Lane penalise Robin Clarke for what looked like a great tackle on Jamie Brennan and Michael Murphy converted the free.
David Toner popped over a fine score from 46 metres in the ninth minute to restore Meath's lead and that advantage was stretched to 0-3 to 0-1 when Cillian O'Sullivan converted a free after he had been fouled.
Another favourable decision went Jamie Brennan's way in the 16th minute when Clarke's trip looked to be outside the large square,but the referee awarded the penalty. Murphy stepped up to take the kick, but Mark Brennan, who was a late addition to the matchday panel and replaced Barry Dardis in the starting line-up, made a remarkable save down to his right.
Seven minutes later an exceptional pass from Eamon Wallace picked out O'Reilly and he was fouled by Eoghan Ban Gallagher which allowed Bryan McMahon convert a free to put three between the sides.
That proved to be Meath's last score of the half as Donegal adopted a more defensive, patient approach. They retained possession under little pressure and teased the Meath defence before punching decisive holes.
Gallagher was fouled in front the posts and Ciaran Thompson converted the free to make it 0-2 to 0-4.
Then Donegal took a firm grip on the game as they held onto possession for almost three minutes before Jamie Brennan picked out Odhran McFadden-Ferry in behind the Meath rearguard and the Gaoth Dobhair man rifled to the net.
Six minutes later Meath were dealt another blow when Jamie Brennan looked to be accidentally tripped by Conor McGill, but the referee awarded the penalty and sent the Meath full-back to the sin-bin.
Murphy assumed responsibility for the spot kick again and went to the same side as his first one, while Mark Brennan went the other way, to ensure a 2-2 to 0-4 interval lead for the Ulster men.
After the break Donegal continued where they left off – patient on the ball and frustrating Meath. They put the game beyond doubt four minutes after the restart when they hit the Royals on the counter-attack with Jamie Brennan and Ryan McHugh combining to set up Michael Langan for a simple palmed goal.
Mark Brennan's poor restart gifted Jamie Brennan another point and all of a sudden Meath's deficit was eight points.
McGill's return prompted a point for O'Reilly seconds later, their only score in a 35 minute spell either side of half-time, but Meath couldn't make any inroads against the flooded Donegal defence and failed to create a clearcut goal chance.
Hesitancy in the Royal rearguard allowed Hugh McFadden follow up his own Garryowen and punch over to make it 3-4 to 0-5 and even though O'Reilly and O'Sullivan (free) pointed either side of another Jamie Brennan score Meath were a beaten docket.
Another outstanding save from Brennan denied Jamie Brennan a certain goal when he used his legs to deflect the shot onto the crossbar, but Donegal tagged on points from Langan, Niall O'Donnell and Murphy (free) to add extra gloss to their margin of victory and complete a miserable day for Meath.
SCORERS
Donegal – Michael Murphy 1-21-0 penalty, two frees; Michael Langan 1-1; Odhran McFadden-Ferry 1-0; Jamie Brennan 0-2; Hugh McFadden 0-1; Niall O'Donnell 0-1; Ciaran Thompson 0-1 free.
Meath – Thomas O'Reilly 0-3; Cillian O'Sullivan 0-2 frees; Bryan McMahon 0-1 free; David Toner 0-1.
TEAMS
Donegal- Shaun Patton; Caolan Ward, Neil McGee, Eoghan Ban Gallagher; Odhran McFadden-Ferry, Conor O'Donnell, Paul Brennan; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Eoin McHugh, Ryan McHugh, Jamie Brennan; Ciaran Thompson, Michael Murphy, Peadar Mogan. Subs – Andrew McClean for E McHugh 49 mins, Niall O'Donnell for Mogan, Brendan McCole for McFadden-Ferry both 55m, Jeaic McKelvey for H McFadden 66m, Ciaran Diver for P Brennan 70m.
Meath – Mark Brennan; Robin Clarke, Conor McGill, David Toner; James McEntee, Brian Conlon, Donal Keogan; Bryan Menton, Ronan Jones; Mathew Costello, Bryan McMahon, Eamon Wallace; Cillian O'Sullivan, Thomas O'Reilly, Joey Wallace. Subs – Ben Brennan for Costello half-time, Ethan Devine for E Wallace 47mins, Ronan Ryan for Conlon 55m, Sean Tobin for, J Wallace, James Conlon for McMahon both 62m.
Referee – Conor Lane (Cork).