Last gasp goal stuns young Royals

THERE was late late heartbreak for Meath in what was a dramatic conclusion to this Leinster MFC preliminary quarter final at Ashbourne this as they lost out 0-14 to 3-7 to Wexford, writes Sean Wall.

Visiting midfielder Tom Funge snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Wexford with a match winning goal in the final seconds of added time to set up a quarter final tie with Dublin.

What was even more remarkable was that it was Funge’s third goal after he netted a brace in the opening half. The visitors had led for most of the way before a rejuvenated Meath wiped out a six point deficit in the final quarter to lead following a point from substitute Patrick Yourell in the first minute of added time.

The young Royals had outscored their opponents eight points to one in that dominant spell and it looked to be enough to see them through until the game took one final twist.

Wexford had led 2-7 to 0-10 by the 55th minute but Pat Crawley, Cormac Nugent (free) and Adam Ducie all landed scores before Yourell struck the lead point.

When Funge cut in from the left wing it looked as if he would settle for an equaliser and extra-time but instead he blasted to the net to send every Wexford player, mentor and supporter delirious.

It was an agonising manner for Meath to go out but it was puzzling that it took them so long to play anything close to their potential.

Wexford’s only win in the group stages was against Carlow but for long passages they enjoyed the upperhand and were the much sharper and hungrier of the two sides. Odhran Morris pointed them ahead on two minutes and Funge struck for his opening goal after gliding past a number of tackles and finishing to the net on 11 minutes.

Morris added a second point before Cormac Smith opened Meath’s account from a free on 13 minutes. Further points from Evan Kelly, Cormac Nugent (free) and Smith reduced the deficit to the minimum by the 16th minute, 0-4 to 1-2.

However another strong run from Funge after he picked up possession near the halfway line ended in a second Wexford goal and that score on 17 minutes was the last of a low key opening half.

Wexford were first off the mark in the second half with Morris accounting for his third point before Pat Crawley and substitute Senan Duffy replied for Meath to leave them well in contention.

Three successive points for the visitors stretched the lead out to six and that left Meath with an uphill task. They responded to the challenge in fine style with points from Evan Kelly and a brace from Nugent.

The Navan O’Mahonys man eventually took his tally to five while two more substitute Ducie and Yourell also proved their worth with scores following their introduction.

The exchanges in the closing minutes livened proceedings greatly but it was a case of so near and yet so far for Joe Crowley’s side.

Meath – Cian Murphy (St Patrick’s); Sean McQuillan (St Colmcille’), Cillian Yore (St Ultan’s), Thomas Sheridan (Oldcastle); Cian Tobin (St Peter’s), Eoin McCrudden (St Peter’s), Cormac Smith (Clann na nGael 0-2 one free); Cathal Barron (Dunderry), Oran Meade (Simonstown); Conal Diggins (Ballivor), Evan Kelly (Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-2), Cormac Nugent (O’Mahonys 0-5 three frees); Ciaran Sheridan(Dunderry), Jack Doyle (St Peter’s), Pat Crawley (Oldcastle 0-2). Subs – Senan Duffy (Slane 0-1) for C Sheridan half-time, Charles McCarthy (Seneschalstown) for Diggins 43m, Harry Healy (St Peter’s) for Smith 45m, Patrick Yourell (O’Mahonys 0-1) for Doyle 48m, Adam Ducie (Ratoath 0-1) for Meade 50m.

Wexford – John Gallagher; Kian Steadmond, Liam Kenny, Sean Fitzharris; Rory Cooper, Eoin Hughes, Fionn Kavanagh; Tom Funge (3-0), James Rothwell; Darragh Forde, Odhran Morris (0-5 three frees), Jamie Hughes (0-1); Ian Noctor, Darren Rossiter, Abram O’Neill (0-1). Subs – Andy Kelly for O’Neill 48m, Alex Carton for Hughes, Max Beary for Rothwell both 55m.

Referee – Niall Ward (Westmeath).