New era begins with Kehoe Cup victory
The Seoirse Bulfin era as manager of the Meath senior hurlers began in earnest in Bray this evening when his side chalked up a 0-18 to 1-11 victory in the opening round of the Kehoe Cup.
That's what the record books will say anyway but this was as much about trying out new players seeing what they can do before the serious business begins when the National League gets underway.
The Kehoe Cup is after all a pre-season competition used by managers to get some mileage in their players' legs.
This run out in the howling cool wind that swirled around the Bray Emmets' home ground will certainly have blown the cobwebs away after the festive season.
This game will also have given the manager a chance to look at few players, to gauge if they will be able to step up to the inter-county mark.
The team contained a number of newcomers to this level as well as some seasoned campaigners and it was one of the latter, Podge O'Hanrahan, the Ratoath player who stole the show.
He hit 12 points for the victors, the fast majority of his scores derived from frees. His performance also included some characteristically penetrating, surging runs that suggested he will, once again, be a big part of the new manager's plans this season.
Another experienced performer to return to the Meath ranks was James Toher who was in the thick of things up until he picked up a knock in the second-half and left the fray - something that will, no doubt, have caused the manager some concern.
Another Ratoath player to sparkle in this game was Cian Rogers who hit four fine points from play.
The score of the game however belonged to Evan Fitzgerald. He marked his display by slicing the ball between the posts from a sideline cut in the opening half.
Brendan McKeon is a player who has featured regularly on Meath teams in recent years and he is sure to feature this year again. He was a busy presence in this game and he capped his display with a point.
He also made a goal-line clearance in the dying seconds as Wicklow sought to rescue something from the contest played before a handful of hardy spectators.
People who stand out in the conditions that prevailed in Bray this evening have to be commended for their commitment to the ancient game. The texture and standard of the play was good in the opening half but it became scrappier as both managers sought to use a high quota of subs.
Wicklow relied a great deal on Andy O'Brien for scores. He finished with 1-7 , his goal coming from a penalty awarded to the home side after just six minutes when Meath full-back Adam O'Connor fouled O'Brien as he raced through.
O'Connor spent some time in the sinbin for his troubles. O'Brien dusted himself off and rifled the spot-puck past Conor Ryan.
The sides were neck and neck for most of the contest. They were level six times in the opening half. At the break they stood at 0-10 to 1-7.
They continued to remain close until the closing stages when the O'Hanrahan and wind powered Meath began to pull away.
Meath sought to keep possession from puck outs stitching moves together that often cut through the Wicklow cover. However, very often those moves broke down and at no point did Meath create a clear-cut goal-scoring opportunity.
Bulfin will well aware of how wins boost morale but this was more about experimenting.
The raft of newcomers in the team performed with spirit and determination but they may need another few games to really show their worth.
This was about trying out new players and implementing a style of play that puts a premium on possession. It was a start. A winning start for all that.
SCORERS
Meath - Podge O'Hanrahan 0-12 10 frees; Cian Rogers 0-4; Evan Fitzgerald 0-1 sideline cut; Brendan McKeon 0-1.
Wicklow - Andy O'Brien 1-7 five frees; Padraig Doran 0-1; Mickey Lee 0-1; Torna Mulconry 0-1; Seanie Germaine 0-1.
TEAMS
Meath - Conor Ryan; Conor Shirren, Adam O'Connor, Brendan McKeon; Martin Healy, James Toher, Sean Geraghty; Evan Fitzgerald, Daire Shine; Damien Healy, Simon Ennis, Luke Horan; Paddy Barnwell, Cian Rogers, Podge O'Hanrahan. Subs - Kyle Donnelly for O'Connor half-time, Niall McLarnon for Toher 43 mins, Nicky Potterton for Barnwell 51m, Paul Kelly for Horan 55m, Mickey Burke for Shine, Killian Swaine for Fitzgerald both 63m.
Wicklow - Cian Staunton; Dylan Byrne, Bryan Kearney, Tommy Collins; Sam O'Dowd, Matthew Traynor, Brandon Ryan; Padraig Doran, Ronan Manley; Padraig O'Toole, Andy O'Brien, Jack Doyle; Mickey Lee, Seanie Germaine, Torna Mulconry. Subs - Andrew Kavanagh for O'Dowd, Luke Evans for Manley both half-time, George O'Brien for Lee 51m, Mark Murphy for Doyle 57m.
Referee - Brian Kearney (Kildare).