Meath caught by Derry surge

At one stage in 2020 All-Ireland MFC semi-final it looked like Meath might push on to win but instead it was Derry who claimed victory at Pairc Esler, Newry today, 1-14 to 1-7.

The sides were level 0-4 to 0-4 at the interval but just four minutes into the second-half Meath grabbed the opening goal of the game.

A fine, sweeping move ended when Alan Bowden was impeded in the Derry square. Up stepped Eoghan Frayne but his penalty kick was saved by Derry goalkeeper Kian McGonigle.

The ball, however, fell kindly for Frayne who drove to the net from the rebound.

Instead of pushing on from there Meath lost their way. Derry steadily took control and they really put a dent in Meath's hopes when on 45 minutes Derry's Dan Higgins found the net.

Meath were slow to clear some danger and Derry took full advantage.

That goal put the Ulster side 1-10 to 1-5 in front and with Matthew Downey in fine form (he ended up with eight points, five frees) they pushed on to win with relative comfort.

At one stage in the opening half Meath led by two but Derry hauled themselves back to level matters at the break.

Frayne topscored for the Royals with his 1-1 while Adam McDonnell marked an excellent display with two points.

Ruairi Kinsella, Sean Emmanuel, John McDonagh and Liam Stafford also pointed for Meath but they needed a lot more.

At one stage in the second-half Meath manager John McCarthy was sent to the stand, a indication of the frustration he and his team experienced.

SCORERS

Derry - Matthew Downey 0-8, five frees; Dan Higgins 1-0; Mark Doherty 0-2; Jody McDermott 0-1; Connor Shiels 0-1; Charlie Diamond 0-1; Lachlan Murray 0-1.

Meath - Eoghan Frayne 1-1; Adam McDonnell 0-2; Ruairi Kinsella 0-1; Sean Emmanuel 0-1; John McDonagh 0-1; Liam Stafford 0-1.

TEAMS

Meath - Billy Hogan; Ben Moran, Liam Kelly, Ben Donnelly; Adam McDonnell, Oisin Kelly, Ciaran Caulfield; Sean Emmanuel, Conor Gray; Mark Coffey, Ruairi Kinsella, Liam Stafford; Alan Bowden, Eoghan Frayne, John McDonagh. Subs - Aaron Murphy for Gray 10 mins, Sean O'Donoghue for Kelly 36m, Godfrey Ehichoya for Kinsella 49m, Jack Kinlough for Stafford, Donal Commons for McDonagh both 57m.

Derry - Kian McGonigle; Adam McGonigle, Patrick McGurk, Connor Shiels; Mark Doherty; Eoin McEvoy, Lee Brady; Dan Higgins, Patrick O'Kane; Donncha Gilmore, Matthew Downey, Jody McDermott; Charlie Diamond, Lachlan Murray, Niall O'Donnell. Subs - Calum Downey for McDermott 39 mins, Ryan McEldowney for Diamond 57m, Jude Moore for O'Donnell 61m.

Referee - Barry Judge (Sligo).