Meath's problems highlighted by another crushing defeat

The problems facing the Meath hurling team in the McDonagh Cup were underlined when the lost 0-19 to 2-22 to Offaly at Tullamore today.

Following hard on the heels of last week's demoralising heavy defeat to Carlow this always looked a mission impossible for the Royals and so it proved.

Behind 0-10 to 2-13 at the interval Meath lost out but they, at least, can point to a spirited, rugged second-half display when, a man down, they matched the scores notched up by the home side.

That was no mean feat considering that just as the second-half commenced Meath's Shane Brennan was sent off after a brief melee - although the wonder was why the Kilmessan player was singled out when a number of players were involved.

Jack Regan, as usual, led the Meath scoring charts hitting 14 points, 12 frees and two super points from play.

Leon Fox and David Nally grabbed two first-half goals for Offaly and they were real hammerblows for the Royals.

SCORERS

Offaly - Eoghan Cahill 0-9 four frees; Leon Fox 1-1; David Nally 1-2; Adrian Cleary 0-3; Jason Sampson 0-2; Brian Duignan 0-2; Killian Sampson 0-1; John Murphy 0-1; Joey Keenaghan 0-1.

Meath - Jack Regan 0-14 12 frees; Eamon O Donchadha 0-2; Mark O'Sullivan 0-1; Padraig O'Hanrahan 0-1; David Reilly 0-1.

SEE ANALYSIS OF MATCH, PHOTOGRAPHS AND COMMENTS IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE.