Meath get out of jail against Mayo

Meath got out of jail big time today in the NHL Div 2A when a 70th minute Jack Regan penalty gave them the edge against luckless Mayo at Pairc Tailteann.

The Connacht men were well on the way to victory with a 0-17 to 0-14 lead as the clock tikced towards the 70th minute, but then Meath pressure earned a penalty that Jack Regan converted.

Meath substitute Mikie Mullen was impeded by Mayo full-back Stephen Coyne and picked up a yellow card in the process.

Despite conceding the penalty goal, Mayo forged ahead again with a Shane Boland point, but hosts Meath finished with a flourish of points from Padraic O'Hanrahan (two) and Damien Healy for what really was a fortunate win.
 
Wind-assisted Mayo set the pace in the opening half and established a 0-11 to 0-7 interval advantage.

The teams had to cope with wind, sunshine and a heavy shower of rain during an open 35 minutes.

Shane Boland pointed four frees for the Mayo men who enjoyed periods of dominance that also produced 
a brace of Eoin Delaney points from play and one each by Gerard Kelly, Cathal Freeman, SEan Mulroy,

Cormac Philips and Brian Hunt with a booming long-range effort.

Meath produced some fluent approach play, but tallied eight wides as they managed points from Padraic

O'Hanrahan (three), Eamon O Donnchadha (two), Jack Regan and Mickey Burke. 
 

SCORERS

Meath - Padraig O'Hanrahan 0-8 seven frees; Eamon O Donnchadha 0-3; James Kelly 0-1; Adam Gannon 0-1; Damien Healy 0-1; Mickey Burke 0-1; Jack Regan 1-2 penalty goal.
Mayo - Shane Boland 0-9 seven frees; Eoin Delaney 0-2;  Gerard Kelly 0-2; Cathal Freeman 0-1; Sean Mulroy 0-1; 
Cormac Philips 0-1; Brian Hunt 0-1; Adrian Philips 0-1. 

SEE CLOSING MINUTES