Lilywhites prove too strong in u-20 clash
Hampered by a slow start Meath were sent tumbling out of the Leinster u-20 HC when they lost 1-12 to 1-18 to Kildare at Paric Tailteann today.
The home side were behind all the way. Their cause was seriously undermined by a slow-burning display in the first-half . They were behind, 0-1 to 0-8, after 15 minutes and at the interval it was clear they were facing a big uphill task when they trailed 0-4 to 1-11. Darragh Melville fired to the net for the visitors.
James Murray scored nine points for the Royal County over the hour including a number of memorable efforts from frees and play but he was one of only three home players who got on the scoresheet for Peter Durnin's side.
Joe Cole was next up for Meath with 1-2 his goal arriving just before the end. The hard-grafting Justin Coyne also raised a white flag.
Meath also had Gary Fleming sent off late on after he was shown a second yellow.
Fionn Maher capped a highly influential display for the Lilywhites with 10 points, six frees.
Both sides missed large number of chances but Kildare proved more clinical overall and deservedly won.
SCORERS
Kildare - Fionn Maher 0-10 six freee; Cathal McCabe 0-6 four frees; Darragh Melville 1-0; Jack Higgins 0-1; Ferran O'Sullivan 0-1.
Meath - James Murray 0-9 five frees; Joey Cole 1-2; Justin Coyne 0-1.
TEAMS
Meath - Jack Fagan; Danny Coleman, Shane Clarke, Harry Cottrell; Gary Fleming, Ciaran Lonergan, Dylan Farrell; Paddy Barnwell, Daire Shine; Kris Gorman, Rory Fagan, James Murray; Tomas Shine, Justine Coyne, Joey Cole. Subs - Luke Horan for Barnwell 44 mins, Oisin Bright for Farrell 53m, Kevin Mulligan for T Shine 57m.
Kildare - Alo Hackett; Peter O'Donoghue, Matthew Eustace, Daniel O'Meara; Paul Dolan, Conor Boran, Cian Shanahan; Jack Higgins, Ciaran Flanagan; Cathal McCabe, Rossa Stapleton, Ferran O'Sullivan; Conn Kehoe, Darragh Melville, Fionn Maher. Subs - Charlie Sheridan for Kehoe 40 mins, Killian Harrington for Melville 47m, Ciaran Kirwan for O'Sullivan 60m Sean O'Connor for Dolan 64m.
Photographs, report and ananlysis on match in next issue of the Meath Chronicle