Lady Luck shines cruelly on Royals

NHL DIV 2A First-half misfortune gifted Kerry decisive goal

It wasn’t pretty, it was never going to be in the circumstances, but while Kerry huffed and puffed, they still produced a workmanlike display to edge out Meath 1-20 to 0-20 and rebound successfully from last week’s chastening reversal away to Donegal, with this triumph at Austin Stack Park, writes John O'Dowd.

Inspired by a 1-10 haul from the fit-again Podge Boyle, and with the vivaciousness of Luke Rochford, the industry of Tom Doyle, the defensive discipline of Kyle O’Connor, and the impact of substitutes Luke Crowley and Sean Brosnan down the stretch, the hosts picked up their second NHL Div 2 victory, condemning Meath to their first loss.

The likes of captain Oisín Maunsell and midfielder Daithí Griffin also grafted commendably all afternoon, against a Royals outfit who had Mikey Cole in sparkling form in the inside forward line, but just depended too much on free-taker Jack Regan for their scoring output.

Luck also played a significant role in this Kingdom triumph. Their first half goal, the only green flag of the game from Boyle, was the result of a goalkeeper mistake and a defensive mix-up which put the visitors somewhat on the back foot thereafter.

From the outset, corner-forward Cole looked extremely sharp, causing problems for a rusty Flor McCarthy, recalled to the Kingdom side after a lengthy injury absence. Indeed, Cole had two fine points on the board as Meath roared into a four-point lead, 0-5 to 0-1, after nine minutes.

The returning Seán Quigley was also impressive around the middle, while captain Nicky Potterton’s electric pace was another string to the Meath bow, as was the reliability of Regan.

Evan Fitzgerald’s long-range strike kept the advantage intact, 0-7 to 0-3, by the 17th minute against a hesitant and nervy Kerry.

By that stage, Boyle had been narrowly off target with a blistering shot at goal and, finally settling due to the youthful enthusiasm and ebullience of youngster Rochford, the men in green and gold hit a real purple patch with five unanswered points.

Boyle, with two splendid scores, Rochford (completing his brace), captain Maunsell and Ronan Walsh were all on target in a four-minute blitzkrieg of Kerry attacking invention and, while Regan (free) brought things to parity, 0-8 apiece, the contest was now of a more even nature.

The 28th minute saw the game’s opening goal and, while a most welcome score from Kerry boss John Griffin’s perspective, it was a nightmare for Meath. Tom Doyle’s miss-hit strike for a point was fumbled by goalkeeper Colm O’Riordan, and Boyle was on hand to tap the rebound to an empty net.

Now three points in front, 1-8 to 0-8, Kerry should have driven on from that gigantic fillip, but it was Meath who responded positively to the body-blow. Hitting four of the last five points before the break – another two placed balls from Regan had the protagonists level at half-time, 1-9 to 0-12.

Kerry emerged from the starting blocks much quicker on the resumption. Boyle (three) and Doyle notched the first four points, with Boyle (off the crossbar) and Shane Nolan (shot saved) were denied a goal in the one movement, 1-13 to 0-12.

For large periods of the second half, with nothing much to choose between either side, the game degenerated into a battle of placed balls between Boyle and Regan. A splendid long-range strike from Meath centre-back Daire Shine broke up the free-taking exchanges.

Maunsell’s second point from play had the home team three ahead, 1-15 to 0-15, by the culmination of the third quarter and, try as they might from there to the conclusion, the Royals could never again get close enough to strike a telling blow.

Dual star Crowley and Brosnan came off the bench to telling effect, shooting three points between them, and with Meath needing a goal at the death to rescue a draw, a fine piece of defending by Kevin Goulding allowed Kerry to hold on for a badly needed success.

Kerry - Louis Dee; Kyle O’Connor, Flor McCarthy, Seamie Foran; Sean McGrath, Kevin Goulding, Darragh Shanahan; Daithí Griffin, Rory Mahony; Tom Doyle (0-1), Oisín Maunsell (0-2), Ronan Walsh (0-2); Luke Rochford (0-2), Padraig Boyle (1-10 six frees, one '65'), Shane Nolan. Subs - Paudie O’Connor for Mahony 45m, Sean Brosnan (0-1) for Nolan 52m, Luke Crowley (0-2) for Walsh 55m, Dylan Moriarty for K O’Connor 69m, Ronan Donovan for Griffin 74m.

Meath - Colm O’Riordan; Jarlath Ennis, Ben Holden, Domhnall Rogers; Kris Gorman, Daire Shine (0-1), Simon Ennis; Seán Quigley (0-2), Joey Cole; Evan Fitzgerald (0-1), Jack Regan (0-11 10 frees), Lorcan Byrne; Mikey Cole (0-4), Cian Rogers, Nicky Potterton (0-1). Subs - Darragh Kelly for Holden half-time, James Toher for Quigley 49m, Darren O’Higgins for C Rogers 53m, Martin Healy for J Cole 57m, Seán Corbett for Fitzgerald 62m.

Referee - Padraig Dunne (Laois).