Six of the best for North Meath

Leinster League Div 2B

North Meath.. 44

Garda Westmanstown...24

Nicholas Pratt

North Meath finished their Leinster league season in style with a six-try bonus point win over the Garda Westmanstown.

The result also gave the Meath men their highest ever placing and a guarantee of second division rugby next season.

Both teams started well in what was essentially a dead rubber. North Meath almost scored in the first two minutes when a chip and chase from Sean O'Reilly just evaded Graham Brennan's fingertips.

But it was the Garda team that looked sharpest in the opening exchanges, especially in the backs.

So it was no surprise when the visitors opened the scoring when their out half sauntered through the North Meath defence.

Garda then added another shortly after to put themselves 12 points up. North Meath eventually found their way back into the Garda 22 when O'Reilly broke, passed inside to Cian Doogan who passed inside to Eoghan Cosgrave but he was unable to hold it.

It was a scrum that proved to be the turning point for North Meath when they shunted the Garda pack back five yards and won a penalty.

A break from Nathan Kiernan led to a 50/22 and from the resulting lineout, a cross field kick from Conor Grey was collected by Brennan for a try.

North Meath had another chance to score when they were awarded a penalty 5 metres out but then, after kicking for the corner, lost the lineout.

The home team was then awarded a penalty at the end of the half which Grey slotted to make it 10-12 at the break.

North Meath rang the changes at the break and they paid instant dividends. Outhalf Grey saw an unguarded blindside and darted over to put North Meath ahead for the first time.

The Garda responded with a fine try of their own to edge back in front but from that point on, it was all North Meath.

A penalty from Grey put the home team back in front. Then Brennan broke down the right wing and slipped in O'Reilly who finished in style.

O'Reilly then got another shortly after following good work from the forwards to seal the bonus point.

By now it was all North Meath. A fifth try was scored by Senan McDermott who strode through the Garda defence and there was still time for Michael O'Byrne to slalom past the Garda's defence for a sixth try.

A consolation try for Garda meant the game finished 44-24 leaving North Meath in fourth place and just nine points behind the league winners Roscrea.

With two successful league campaigns all but over for North Meath’s first and second teams, the remaining cup games provide a chance to add some silverware and cap off a highly satisfying season in style.

North Meath - Graham Brennan, Sean O'Reilly, Cian Doogan, Pauric Flanagan, Michael O'Byrne, Conor Grey, Nathan Kiernan, Padraic McGurl, Cian Murphy, Keith O'Neill, Eoghan Cosgrave, Sammy Bashford, Ciaran Cullen, Andrew Dowds, Peter Flanagan. Subs - Jack Yore, Adam Deighan, Andrew Monaghan, Tommy Brady, Senan McDermott, Jordan Herring, Brian O'Connor.