Last-gasp goal downs Meath
There was no festive cheer for Meath at Pairc Tailteann today as they conceded a injury time goal and were defeated by 0-15 to 1-14 by Down in the MHC B Peadar O Liathain Cup final.
The young Royals looked to have snatched a dramatic late victory when in the second minute of injury time Ryan Byas displayed incredible skill and composure to slice the ball between the posts from a sideline cut out on the terrace side of the pitch.
It looked to be enough to give Meath the victory in a game that ebbed and flowed throughout with the sides level 10 times over the hour.
However, straight from the puck out Down worked the ball downfield. It broke to Francis Caldwell who was about 20 metres out when he claimed possession. He worked some space for himself before firing the ball low past Jack Fagan in the Meath goals for the decisive score.
Meath had some time to work the ball upfield but they were unable to get the goal they knew they needed in the closing seconds and succumbed to a bitter defeat on a cold December day at the Brews Hill venue.
Throughout the game the sides fought for supermacy with Meath taking the most significant lead coming up to half-time when they led by three points, 0-8 to 0-5.
It was 0-8 to 0-6 at the break but within three minutes of the second-half the sides were level again.
Byas hit four points for Meath over the hour as did the enterprising Joey Cole while Matthew Cully came on to make a very significant contribution firing over three super points from play. Jack Meagher, Rory Fagan and Simon Cunningham were others to score for the Royals.
Tom McGrattan fired over fire points for Down but it was Caldwell's late goal that secured victory in the most dramatic circumstances.
SCORERS
Meath - Ryan Byas 0-4 one sideline cut; Joey Cole 0-4; Matthew Cully 0-3; Jack Meagher 0-2; Rory Fagan 0-1; Simon Cunningham 0-1.
Down - Tom McGrattan 0-5 four frees; Francis Caldwell 1-2; Oisin Coulter 0-3; Michael Dorrian 0-2; Sean Milligan 0-1; Finn Turpin 0-1.
TEAMS
Meath - Jack Fagan; Robert Ennis, Harry Cottrell, Evan Cole; Peter Connolly, Jutine Coyne, Kristopher O'Gorman; Joey Cole, Eoghan Grehan; Ryan Byas, Jack Meagher, Shaun Donnelly; Rory Fagan, Josh Harris, Simon Cunningham. Subs - Matthew Cully for Harris 36 mins, Eoghan McCormack for Donnelly 41m, Dennis Darby for Cunningham 58m.
Down - Pearse Smyth; James Higgins, Deaglan Mallon, Nathan Kelly; Finn Turpin, Ciaran Savage, Fionn McFall; Ryan O'Neill, James Duggan; Michael Dorrian, Tom McGrattan, Jarlath McCollum; Francis Caldwell, James Clarke, Oisin Coulter. Subs - Sean Milligan for O'Neill 39 mins, Fergal McManus for McGrattan 55m.
Referee - Caymon Flynn (Westmeath).