Conor McGill scored Meath's goal in the defeat to Clare but victory has proved elusive.

Clare prevail as Meath go tumbling out of championship

Undermined by a lacklustre, low-wattage display, when they rarely sparkled, Meath were sent tumbling out of the All-Ireland Championship in the qualifiers at Cusack Park, Ennis this evening.

Andy McEntee's side were defeated 1-9 to 1-11 by Colm Collins' Clare team who missed a range of chances in the second-half.

It says something about Meath's display that their hero was goalkeeper Harry Hogan who made three super saves. One of his saves included a penalty shot taken by David Tubridy.

Behind 0-6 to 1-7 at the interval Meath briefly went in front in the second-half, although only by a point, but their challenge crumbled against the formidable force whipped up by the home team.

Conor McGill helped to revitalise the hopes of the Meath supporters who made the long trip down to the south-west when he converted a penalty just after the break but any hopes of victory that were engendered by that score. and others that followed, proved all too illusionary.

There was a moment of controversy in the second-half when Donal Keogan looked like he was fouled in the Clare goalmouth but no penalty was awarded. Instead Clare worked the ball upfield and were awarded a penalty themselves but Hogan brilliantly saved Tubridy's spot-kick.

Meath's hopes were also undermined by a slow start that saw them go 0-0 to 1-3 down early on with Pearse Lillis netting for the Banner County. Once again a slow start eroded hopes the Royals had of victory.

Even playing with the assistance of the wind in the opening half Meath struggled to find their rhythm.

Thomas O'Reilly eventually got the visitors on the scoresheet and McGill's goal was another big help but the momentum, and hope, that score helped to generate just couldn't be sustained.

Daithi McGowan, Jason Scully, Eoin Harkin, Cillian O'Sullivan, Jack O'Connor, Mathew Costello and Bryan McMahon also lofted over points for Meath over the course of the game but the team played with a lack of confidence that undermined their ambitions.

Instead Clare finished stronger to inflict a painful, humiliating defeat on the Royal County.

Now questions will be asked about the future of this team and the manager Andy McEntee.

The defeat to Dublin a few weeks ago had few positive points and now Meath have been sent tumbling out of the championship in the first round of the qualifiers.

SCORERS

Meath - Conor McGill 1-0; Cillian O'Sullivan 0-2; Mathew Costello 0-1; Bryan McMahon 0-1; Thomas O'Reilly 0-1; Jack O'Connor 0-1; Jason Scully 0-1; Eoin Harkin 0-1; Daithi McGowan 0-1.

* There was also a defeat for the Meath as they lost, 1-12 to 3-8 to Wexford in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championshiop at Pairc Tailteann today.