Meath into All-Ireland MFC decider after win against Sligo
Meath booked an All-Ireland MFC final ticket with a 2-14 to 2-9 win today in the last four against Sligo at Breffni Park.
Despite finishing with 14 players after Oisin O Murchu picked up a second yellow card in the 35th minute, Meath proved too strong for the Connacht champions.
Meath's Killian Smyth had the Royal County on the scoreboard inside 10 seconds with an opportunist point
Sligo squandered a couple of good early chances with James Donlon narrowly wide with a goal chance and then Brian Duffy wasted a point opportunity.
Both those misses ultimately proved costly as Meath established a comfortable 1-11 to 1-4 interval advantage despite kicking seven wides.
Meath moved the ball around the pitch with confidence and capitalised on a series of Sligo mistakes, mostly from mis-directed kick-outs.
Christian Finlay claimed a ninth minute Meath goal and also sent over three points from play while there was a brace apiece from Shaun Leonard and Hughie Corcoran (one free).
Meath goalkeeper Oising McDermott pointed from a '45' while O Murchu (mark), Conor Ennis and Tomas Corbett completed the Meath tally.
Sligo rallied briefly when Brian Duffy converted a 22nd minute penalty awarded after Luke Marren was hauled down by Meath full-back Liam Kelly.
Marren sent over three points (two frees) and Duffy also converted a free to sustain Sligo's faltering hopes as they turned over facing a seven-point deficit.
Meath resumed smartly and the second-half was only a minute old when O Murchu split the posts, but Sligo replied instantly through Mark McDaniel's point.
Conor McWeeney extended Meath's advantage with a fine point before referee Paul Faloon, after consulting with his umpires, issued that second yellow card to O Murchu, but Sligo couldn't capitalise.
Corcoran's pointed free extended Meath's advantage to nine points (1-14 to 1-5) by the second water break, but the Royal County didn't score again until two minutes from time.
Sligo worked hard without any great reward although a brace of Marren pointed frees kept them ticking over.
However, the Connacht boys were right back in contention on 55 minutes when substitute Jack McGovern rifled to the net to leave four points in it.
Then Meath got that all-important goal when substitute John Mannion finished to the net to seal the victory although battling Sligo replied with a brace of points from substitute Conor McMorrow.
SCORERS
Meath - Christian Finlay 1-3; John Mannion 1-0; Hughie Corcoran 0-3 two frees;Shaun Leonard 0-2; Oisin O Murchu 0-2 one mark; Oisin McDermott 0-1 '45'; Conor Ennis 0-1; Tomas Corbett 0-1; Conor McWeeney 0-1.
Sligo - Luke Marren 0-5 four frees; Brian Duffy 1-1 penalty goal, free; Jack McGovern 1-0; Conor McMorrow 0-2; Mark McDaniel 0-1.
TEAMS
Meath - Oisin McDermott (Ballinlough); Conor Ennis (Ballinabrackey), Liam Kelly (Ratoath), Sean O'Hare (Rathkenny); Shaun Leonard (St Colmcille's), Tomas Corbett (Ratoath), Killian Smyth (Castletown); Paul Wilson (Donaghmore / Ashbourne), Jack KInlough (Dunboyne); John O'Regan (Skryne), Sean Emmanuel (St Patrick's), Conor McWeeney (Kilbride); Christian Finaly (St Colmcille's), Oisin O Murchu (St Colmcille's), Hughie Corcoran (Drumbaragh). Subs - John Mannion (St Patrick's) for Smyth and Andrew Moore (Ballinabrackey) for McWeeney both 48 mins, Tadgh Martyn (Slane) for Leonard 53m, James Foley (Trim) for Corcoran 59m.
Sligo - Kyle Davey; Ronan O'Hehir, Conor Johnstown, Robert O'Kelly-Lynch; Dillon Walsh, Dylan McLOughlin, James Donlon; Ross Doherty, Conor Sheridan' Mark McDaniel, Ronan Niland, Stephen Rogan; Luke Marren, Joshua Flynn, Brian Duffy. Subs - Tommy Ross for Rogan 45 mins, Ryan McMorrow for Niland 48m, Kyle Mullen for Sheridan 51m, Conor McMorrow for Flynn and Stephen Donoghue for McDaniel both 58m.
Referee - Paul Faloon (Down).