Meath secure status with narrow win in Ennis

James Conlon kicked the winning point deep into injury-time as Meath preserved their NFL Div 2 status with a 0-10 to 0-9 victory over Clare at Ennis today.

After losing the toss for the sixth time in the campaign, Meath played into the strong wind, but just like they were in the opeing half against Cork, they looked quite comfortable in that situation.

Fouls on Thomas O'Reilly, Jordan Morris and Matt Costello gifted frees to Morris (two) and Shane Walsh as Meath opened up a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after 18 minutes.

Clare struggled to breakdown Meath's rearguard which saw Gavin McGowan play a sweeper role in front of the returning Conor McGill.

The hosts did get in for a couple of goal chances, the pick of which was brilliantly saved by Harry Hogan to deny Emmett McMahon in the 11th minute.

Meath also created a goal chance or two themselves in that spell with Donal Keogan's surging run leaving him through on goals. However, he opted to pass inside to Jordan Muldoon, but he couldn't connect and the danger was averted.

Clare finally opened their account in the 22nd minute when Eoin Cleary lofted over under little pressure. Five minutes later a careless foul by Robin Clarke gifted Keelan Sexton a simple free and in the 29th minute Sexton added another free to restore parity.

Walsh kicked Meath's fourth free of the half to restore their lead, but again Clare levelled it up with Cleary on target with the point of the half.

Harry Hogan's radar was off as he hit the upright with an free attempt from 40 metres, but a minute before the break Bryan Menton curled over a superb score to edge Meath ahead again.

However a defensive error by Eoin Harkin allowed Clare counter with the last attack of the half and it was Cleary who made no mistake to level the contest for the third time, 0-5 each, at the break.

Turning with the wind at their back, Meath might have expected to pick up the tempo and kick on, but it was Clare who edged ahead for the first time when Sexton scored on the counter-attack.

Walsh replied for Meath in the 45th minute, but then Meath lost McGowan to a black card and points from Sexton (free) and McMahon gave Clare a two-point cushion for the first time, 0-8 to 0-6.

Hogan missed another chance from a free, while Morris was also off target as Meath struggled in attack. They eventually ended a 14 minute barren spell when Wallace converted after claiming a mark from a wayward delivery.

O'Sullivan made it 0-8 each in the 60th minute, before McGowan returned. Clare celebrated when Jordan edged them ahead again, but those celebrations were premature as great linkup between Ronan Jones and Bryan McMahon led to the Ratoath man restoring parity for the sixth time.

Clare lost Jamie Malone to a black card in the 72nd minute and Meath pushed up to put pressure on the Clare defence. That pressure was rewarded when Jones turned over Ryan and Conlon applied the winning touch.

Matt Costello took a black card for the team from the kickout and Meath held on to secure their win and preserve their status in Div 2.

SCORERS

Meath - Shane Walsh 0-3 two frees; Jordan Morris 0-2 frees; Bryan Menton 0-1; Joey Wallace 0-1 mark; Bryan McMahon 0-1; James Conlon 0-1.

Clare - Keelan Sexton 0-4 three frees; Eoin Cleary 0-3; Emmett McMahon 0-1; Conor Jordan 0-1.

TEAMS

Meath - Harry Hogan; Jordan Muldoon, Conor McGill, Robin Clarke; Donal Keogan, Gavin McGowan, Eoin Harkin; Bryan Menton, Ronan Jones; Jason Scully, Thomas O'Reilly, Matt Costello; Jordan Morris, Shane Walsh, Cillian O'Sullivan. Subs - Joey Wallace for Walsh 49m, Bryan McMahon for O'Reilly 59m, Jack O'Connor for Scully 63m, James Conlon for Morris 68m.

Clare - Stephen Ryan; Manus Doherty, Cillian Brennan, Cillian Rouine; Jamie Malone, Cian O'Dea, Eoghan Collins; Ciaran Russell, Darren O'Neill; Pearse Lillis, Eoin Cleary, Emmett McMahon; Aaron Griffin, Keelan Sexton, David Tubridy. Subs - Daniel Walsh for Collins half-time, Conor Jordan for Doherty 39 mins, Gavin Cooney for Brennan 49m, Joe McGann for Griffin 63m.

Referee - Derek O'Mahoney (Tipperary).

FULL MATCH REPORT, REACTION FROM MANAGER ANDY MCENTEE AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM SUNDAY'S GAME IN TUESDAY'S MEATH CHRONICLE