All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final Group Phase
DONEGAL2-19 MEATH 1-13
Patrick McBrearty marked the occasion of his 100th inter-county appearance with a personal hail of 1-6 as Donegal came good in the final stages to shake off the challenge of a persistent Meath team.
Andy McEntee’s side certainly would feel their nine-point defeat at sun-kissed MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey was a harsh reflection having come from five down to lead when substitute Darragh Campion pointed on 54 minutes.
There was a real frenzy coming off the terraces and the stand with things in the melting pot in a superb advertisement for the All Ireland SFC Quarter-Final Group Phase.
Donegal’s experience in the end told as they maintained their composure as most around them were losing theirs with 19-year-old Oisin Gallen’s injury-time goal proving hugely popular on his home club ground.
It took Donegal’s inside forward trio of Jamie Brennan, Patrick McBrearty and Michael Murphy just seven minutes to scribble their respective names on the scoresheet.
McBrearty smashed home the only goal of the first half on 25 minutes to establish a 1-6 to 0-5 lead for the hosts, screeching away from a Ciaran Thompson pass following Shaun Patton’s swift kick-out.
Although it was occasionally claustrophobic in the opening 35 minutes, the standard of attacking play from both teams was commendable. Cillian O’Sullivan was proving to be a real handful for Meath.
At times there was a smoothness to Donegal’s offensive play, with a crisp Murphy point on 34 minutes a perfect example of that after Paul Brennan’s snappy assist.
Meath, though, kept themselves in contention with Bryan McMahon scoring the last point of the half with an effort curled in at the Town End.
At half-time, Declan Bonner’s side had a 1-9 to 0-8 lead.
Michael Murphy, Donegal, and Ethan Devine, Meath, during the All Ireland SFC Quarter-Final Group One encounter at MacCumhaill Park.
Donegal know better than most that their recent meetings with Meath were never won on paper. It was the third time the sides have met this year, with Donegal coming out on top of both clashes in the Allianz League Division 2. However, Meath would certainly have carried regrets after both those contests.
In the Division 2 final in March, the Royal were 1-6 to 0-1 in front on only 13 minutes before Donegal turned it around to win 1-17 to 1-15. That came on the back of Donegal’s 1-13 to 0-14 league win in Ballybofey; another turnaround as Andy McEntee’s team had been four points up with just 11 minutes remaining.
In the second half in Ballybofey, it was Meath doing the coming back. Donegal edged out to 1-11 to 0-9 in front with successive McBrearty points and it appeared as though the script was being adhered to.
But a disallowed Meath goal, when Gavin McCoy slapped in at the back post after Patton had made an excellent point-blank save from Bryan McMahon on 41 minutes, stirred the visitors.
Three minutes later, referee Conor Lane awarded Meath a penalty, which Donegal claimed was of the soft variety, when Daire O Baoill was adjudged to have fouled Donal Keogan’s progressive run.
Michael Newman scored the penalty and then back to back points from McMahon and Menton had Meath level at 1-11 apiece. Campion then put them in front.
In retrospect, Meath’s inability to push on from then was the reason they went home with nothing. They’d score just once more all game, while Donegal totted up 1-8 in the final quarter.
Ryan McHugh’s sense of adventure was apparent throughout and alongside Murphy, who was everywhere on his way to winning man of the match, helped turn the tables. The Donegal captain was plucking balls off his own line, protecting his square and knocking over from a 45 in those final 10 minutes.
McHugh and Shane McEntee, at the other end, took points when goals were possible. Donegal could rely on the likes of Frank McGlynn to come on and steady the ship and when they sensed a chance to bury Meath, they did it.
Gallen’s goal was coolly taken in the 72nd minute having been played in by McGlynn. Over and out.
Both Donegal and Meath are headed for Croke Park next Sunday, with respective fixtures against Kerry and Mayo.
Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 1-6 (2fs), Oisin Gallen 1-1, Michael Murphy 0-3 (1 45), Jamie Brennan 0-3, Ryan McHugh 0-2, Niall O’Donnell 0-1, Michael Langan 0-1, Jason McGee 0-1, Eoin McHugh 0-1.
Scorers for Meath: Michael Newman 1-2 (1-0 pen, 1f), Bryan McMahon 0-3, Cillian O’Sullivan 0-2, Bryan Menton 0-2, James Conlon 0-1, James McEntee 0-1, Shane McEntee 0-1, Darragh Campion 0-1
DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Stephen McMenamin, Neil McGee, Odhran McFadden-Ferry; Ryan McHugh, Paul Brennan, Eoghan Ban Gallagher; Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee; Ciaran Thompson, Niall O’Donnell, Michael Langan; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Jamie Brennan.
Subs: Daire O Baoill for P Brennan (43), Eoin McHugh and Oisin Gallen for Thompson and O’Donnell (49), Frank McGlynn for McGee (61), Eamonn Doherty for McFadden-Ferry (68), Caolan Ward for McMenamin (70+1).
MEATH: Andrew Colgan, Seamus Lavin, Conor McGill, Shane Gallagher; Donal Keogan, Padraic Harnan, Gavin McCoy; Bryan Menton, Shane McEntee; Ethan Devine, Bryan McMahon, James McEntee; Cillian O’Sullivan, Michael Newman, James Conlon.
Subs: Shane Walsh for Conlon (43), Darragh Campion for Devine (46), Sean Curran for Gallagher (black card, 57), Graham Reilly for B McMahon (63), Adam Flanagan for S McEntee (66), Thomas O’Reilly for O’Sullivan (70).
REFEREE: Conor Lane (Cork).
8.7.19
The Super 8s fixtures
GROUP 1 FIXTURES
Sunday 14 July
Donegal v Meath, Ballybofey, 2pm
Kerry v Mayo, Fitzgerald Stadium, 4pm
Sunday 21 July
Mayo v Meath, Croke Park, 2pm
Kerry v Donegal, Croke Park, 4pm
Saturday 3/Sunday 4 August (Times TBC)
Mayo v Donegal, MacHale Park
Meath v Kerry, Páirc Tailteann
GROUP 2 FIXTURES
Saturday 13 July
Roscommon v Tyrone, Hyde Park, 5pm
Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 7pm
Saturday 20 July
Cork v Tyrone, Croke Park, 5pm
Dublin v Roscommon, Croke Park, 7pm
Saturday 3/Sunday 4 August (Times TBC)
Cork v Roscommon, Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Tyrone v Dublin, Healy Park
7.7.19
Meath v Clare
All Ireland SFC Round Four Qualifier
MEATH 2-16 CLARE 1-18
With promotion to Division One of the Allianz Football League secured for 2020 this has been an encouraging campaign for Meath, who found the requisite answers against Clare.
Colm Collins’ gritty and resilient charges fought until the bitter end, but just couldn’t do enough scoring damage in the closing stages.
In the opening half Clare had posted 0-12 from 19 attempts, but in the second period that was restricted to 1-6 from 12.
Meath just edged the game by the narrowest of margins with goals from Bryan Menton and Mickey Newman the decisive blows.
An absorbing first half was packed with drama and quality scores as the teams eventually departed level in front of a passionate audience.
Clare contributed handsomely and even when falling two points behind on the stroke of half-time following a Bryan Menton goal, Colm Collins’ charges responded.
Gordon Kelly ventured forward to nail an inspirational point and that was followed by a sweet Jamie Malone effort to ensure parity was restored.
The issue was certainly delicately poised after an opening period in which Clare and Meath were level on six occasions.
Newman was sharp inside for Meath clipping five points before the break, while James Conlon dashed about also clipping two fine efforts.
Cian O’Dea, Clare, and Shane McEntee, Meath, during Sunday’s Round Four Qualifier at O’Moore Park.
At the opposite end of the field Malone, brimful of intent, mined four from play, while captain Gary Brennan led by example.
Forcing turnovers and stitching the play in a diligent and clever manner Brennan demonstrated his class against a durable Meath outfit.
As the interval approached Malone edged Clare a point in front before Menton reacted smartly to blast a Meath goal.
It was one of those defiant Clare displays, though, with Kelly and Malone replying briskly to tie matters at the end of a thrilling 35 minutes of football.
When the action recommenced it remained intriguing as Newman (free) and Conlon guided Meath in front prior to a Gavin Cooney goal.
The Clare forward fisted home Cian O’Dea’s delivery as Clare regained the lead briefly, but Meath summoned a response.
Newman was sufficiently crafty to palm a goal following an exchange with Padraic Harnan, while Donal Keogan and the hard working Ethan Devine guided the Royals 2-13 to 1-12 clear in the 44th minute.
From then until the finish it continued to supply thrills and spills with Meath substitute Ben Brennan steering the Royals three ahead in additional time.
Clare still refused to wilt. David Tubridy stroked over a free and replacement Dermot Coughlan drilled a last gasp point, but Meath held on. A significant Royal triumph was registered.
Scorers for Meath: Mickey Newman 1-6 (5fs), James Conlon 0-3, Bryan Menton 1-0, Donal Keogan, Ethan Devine, Bryan McMahon, Thomas McGovern, Cillian O’Sullivan, Ben Brennan, and Shane Walsh (f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Clare: David Tubridy 0-6 (3fs), Jamie Malone 0-4, Gavin Cooney 1-0, Cathal O’Connor and Eoin Cleary (2fs) 0-2 each, Cian O’Dea, Gary Brennan, Dermot Coughlan, and Gordon Kelly 0-1 each.
Subs: Thomas O’Reilly for Newman (43), Graham Reilly for McGovern (46), Shane Walsh for O’Reilly (54), Sean Curran for Gallagher (60), Ben Brennan for Devine (62), Sean Tobin for Conlon (70+2), Thomas O’Reilly for McMahon (70+5, BC).
CLARE: Stephen Ryan; Kevin Hartnett, Cillian Brennan, Gordon Kelly; Dean Ryan, Aaron Fitzgerald, Sean Collins; Sean O’Donoghue, Cathal O’Connor; Eoin Cleary, Gary Brennan, Jamie Malone; Gavin Cooney, David Tubridy, Cian O’Dea.
Subs: Kieran Malone for O’Donoghue (47), Dermot Coughlan for Cooney (54), Einne O’Connor for Kelly (62, BC), Gearoid O’Brien for Ryan (64), Eimhin Courtney for Cleary (70+2).
REFEREE: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary).
9.6.19
Meath v Laois - What they said
Cillian O’Sullivan
Meath reached their first Leinster final in five years at Croke Park yesterday
Séamus Lavin
“Certainly wasn’t a perfect performance,” admitted manager Andy McEntee afterwards, “there’s loads of things on which we can improve.”
“We got two points and had chances to claw it back, and didn’t execute them,” said Laois manager John Sugrue. But, visibly disappointed, he wasn’t looking for excuses.
James Conlon, who kicked four first-half points and added a fifth in the second half. He had impressed when sprung in the recent wins over Carlow and Offaly.
“That’s been coming,” said McEntee of the 21-year-old. “He’s been very patient. He’s been showing very well in training pretty much all year. We just felt the way he’d been going in training that he’d earned his stripes.”
9.6.19
Meath v Laois
Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship
Meath 3-13 0-11 Laois
Mickey Newman scores a goal for Meath against Laois at Croke Park.
Leinster SFC: Meath march on
Leinster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
MEATH 3-13 LAOIS 0-11
By Paul Keane at Croke Park
James Conlon came of age in a Meath shirt with five terrific points at Croke Park to help secure a Royal County return to the Leinster SFC final.
Andy McEntee’s side, who last contested a final in 2014, earned a slightly flattering 11-point win with a strong final quarter display.
Conlon, making his first full Championship start, scored four of his five points in the first-half when the game was an even contest and added a fifth late on as Meath turned the screw to seal the win.
It was an eye-catching display from the 21-year-old St Colmcilles man who sniped a goal at Croke Park when his club lost narrowly to Westport in the 2017 AIB All-Ireland intermediate final.
There was a huge display too from joint captain Bryan Menton who struck two goals from midfield while fellow joint captain Donal Keogan won a penalty that Michael Newman converted.
The big win earns Meath a return to the final on June 23 having last competed in the decider in 2014 when they lost to Dublin.
Meath came into this contest as favourites after taking out Carlow and Offaly but were wary of their own painful history against Laois.
Seamus Lavin opened the scoring for Meath after two minutes but they didn’t score again until the 16th minute as Laois dominated the possession at the other end.
Unfortunately for Division 3 finalists Laois they couldn’t turn that possession into points and struck four wides before eventually getting off the mark in the 15th minute through Evan O’Carroll.
The Crettyard man scored three first-half points but all came from frees and after booting four wides, including one from a close range free, the big attacker was hauled off after 30 minutes.
Donie Kingston replaced him and immediately showed his class by scoring a point in the 32nd minute.
Laois needed that score because after a slow start Meath grew into the game and scored a 31st minute goal through Menton that put them 1-5 to 0-5 ahead.
The lively Cillian O’Sullivan did the spade work with a clever run and lay-off to midfielder Menton who cut inside Robert Pigott and fired a low shot beyond the advancing Graham Brody.
O’Sullivan should have scored one himself earlier but blasted just wide after a thrilling solo run through the centre.
Conlon was Meath’s key man in the first-half with four points between the 16th and 25th minutes as he continuously got away from Laois captain Stephen Attride to split the posts.
Meath were two points ahead approaching the interval when their second goal arrived.
Newman converted it from the penalty spot after Keogan, who created both of Meath’s goals in the win over Carlow, was fouled after a great catch in the danger area.
It left Meath sitting pretty at the interval with a 2-6 to 0-7 advantage though they were worried by Laois’ ability to pick holes seeming at will in their defence.
Laois got the margin back to three points early in the second-half with two more Kingston points but needed to kick on from there and were unable to do so, only adding two more points in the entire half.
The 2003 Leinster champions did create four second-half goal chances but couldn’t take advantage of them as Meath pulled decisively clear.
Back to back O’Sullivan points left Meath 2-9 to 0-10 clear and there were further scores from Bryan McMahon and Conlon before Menton slammed in his second goal.
Meath were at their ease from there on with sub Graham Reilly adding a score and Keogan got the point his display deserved at the death.
Scorers for Meath: James Conlon 0-5, Michael Newman 1-1 (1-0 pen, 1f), Bryan Menton 2-0, Cillian O’Sullivan 0-2, Bryan McMahon 0-2, Graham Reilly 0-1, Seamus Lavin 0-1, Donal Keogan 0-1
Scorers for Laois: Donie Kingston 0-4 (2fs), Evan O’Carroll 0-3 (3fs), Colm Murphy 0-2, Daniel O’Reilly 0-1, Ross Munnelly 0-1.
MEATH: Andrew Colgan; Seamus Lavin, Conor McGill, Shane Gallagher; Donal Keogan, Ronan Ryan, Gavin McCoy; Bryan Menton, Adam Flanagan; Ben Brennan, Bryan McMahon, James McEntee; Cillian O’Sullivan, Michael Newman, James Conlon.
Subs: Graham Reilly for McCoy (48) Shane McEntee for Flanagan (52), Sean Tobin for Brennan (55), Thomas O’Reilly for Newman (64), Thomas McGovern for Gallagher (66), Ethan Devine for Menton (69).
LAOIS: Graham Brody; Stephen Attride, Denis Booth, Gareth Dillon; Sean O’Flynn, Robert Pigott, Patrick O’Sullivan; John O’Loughlin, Kieran Lillis; Daniel O’Reilly, Conor Boyle, Damien O’Connor; Colm Murphy, Evan O’Carroll, Paul Kingston.
Subs: Donie Kingston for O’Carroll (30), Martin Scully for Boyle (46), Trevor Collins for O’Flynn (54), Eoin Lowry for O’Reilly (58), Ross Munnelly for Damien O’Connor (58), Brendan Quigley for Lillis (64).
REFEREE: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
25.05.19
Meath v Carlow
McEntee pleased with improvement in Meath’s performance
Meath manager Andy McEntee
Meath manager Andy McEntee was much happier with his team’s performance against Carlow in yesterday’s last eight clash.
Goals from Michael Newman and Padraic Harnan sent the Royals on the road to a 2-18 to 0-9 victory over the Barrowsiders and a semi-final clash with the winners of Laois versus Westmeath.
“If everyone was being brutality honest with themselves, they would admit that the performance against Offaly was a below par performance,”
“The good thing and the fortunate thing was that we got a chance to show ourselves in a better light.
“The truth of the matter is that it was a better performance today, in the end it was a little bit more relaxed.”
25.05.19
Meath v Carlow
Padraic Harnan, Meath, and Daniel St Ledger, Carlow, in Leinster SFC Quarter-Final action at O’Moore Park.
Meath march on
Leinster Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final
MEATH 2-18 CARLOW 0-9
By Paul Keane at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
Full-forward Mickey Newman helped himself to 1-6 in Portlaoise as Meath made it back to back wins in the Leinster SFC, securing a semi-final clash with Laois or Westmeath.
Andy McEntee’s Royal County took their time to get going but burst clear late in the first-half and dominated the second-half.
Goals from Newman and Padraig Harnan late in the first-half paved the way for Meath’s second win in the competition after taking care of Offaly.
Their reward is a June 9 trip to Croke Park to play the winners of tomorrow’s Laois/Westmeath game in Tullamore.
Carlow put up a good fight initially but were rocked by those goals and lost midfielders Sean Murphy and Eoghan Ruth to second-half dismissals.
Murphy received a straight red following an incident involving Meath defender Donal Keoghan in the 49th minute and Ruth left the field 10 minutes later after a black card.
It was a tough night for depleted Carlow who were without three key figures in their camp; boss Turlough O’Brien, coach Steven Poacher and experienced midfielder Brendan Murphy.
All three failed with appeals against suspensions arising from an incident during their Allianz league game against Down.
It got even worse for Carlow when they lost Paul Broderick, arguably their best forward, within 15 minutes following an injury.
They trailed by 0-4 to 0-1 at that stage after a slow start though impressively battled back to level terms in the 25th minute.
Darragh Foley stood up to the plate with three points in a row to offer some hope of another giant-killing act after taking out Kildare last year.
But it was all downhill from there for the Barrowsiders who didn’t score again in the first-half as Meath hit them for 2-3 before the interval.
Ben Brennan clipped back to back points before Meath’s goals arrived in a two-minute spell.
Joint captain Keogan was involved in both, taking Bryan McMahon’s pass and playing it to Newman for Meath’s first in the 30th minute.
Two minutes later Keogan fed fellow defender Harnan who palmed in beyond the advancing Carlow keeper Robert Sansom after another sweet move.
Newman added a converted free as the favourites romped 2-7 to 0-4 ahead at half-time.
Carlow needed a huge second-half display but things only got worse for them as they lost their midfielders and Meath picked off enough points to surge 15 points clear by full-time.
Newman, Menton and defender Shane Gallagher were all on the mark while subs Graham Reilly and James Conlon impressed with 0-5 between them.
The only blot on Newman’s copybook was a 59th minute penalty that he failed to convert as Carlow ‘keeper Sansom pulled off one of a number of fine saves.
Scorers for Meath: Michael Newman 1-6 (4fs), Padraic Harnan 1-0, James Conlon 0-3, Ben Brennan 0-2 (1f), Bryan Menton 0-2, G Reilly 0-2, Cillian O’Sullivan 0-1, Thomas O’Reilly 0-1, Shane Gallagher 0-1.
Scorers for Carlow: Darragh Foley 0-3 (1f), Diarmuid Walshe 0-3 (2fs, 145), John Murphy 0-1, Sean Murphy 0-1, Eoghan Ruth 0-1
MEATH: Andrew Colgan; Shane Gallagher, Conor McGill, Seamus Lavin; Donal Keogan, Padraic Harnan, Gavin McCoy; Bryan Menton, Adam Flanagan; Cillian O’Sullivan, Bryan McMahon, Ben Brennan; Sean Tobin, Michael Newman, Thomas O’Reilly.
Subs: Barry Dardis for O’Reilly (34), Graham Reilly for Tobin (51), Ronan Ryan for McCoy (55), Darragh Campion for O’Sullivan (60), James Conlon for Brennan (65), Ethan Devine for Menton (70).
CARLOW: Robert Sansom; Liam Roberts, Shane Redmond, Conor Lawlor; Jordan Morrissey, Daniel St Ledger, Ciaran Moran; Sean Murphy, Eoghan Ruth; Sean Gannon, Darragh Foley, Conor Doyle; Paul Broderick, Darragh O’Brien, John Murphy.
Subs: Diarmuid Walshe for Broderick (15), Conor Crowley for O’Brien (h/t), Brendan Kavanagh for Lawlor (h/t), Jamie Clarke for Gannon (38-40), Danny Moran for St Ledger (54, black card), John Murphy (Tinryland) for Ruth (60, black card), Darren Lunney for Murphy (Grange) (62).
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).
12.05.19
Meath v Offaly
Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship
Meath1-13 0-14Offaly
Round 1
Shane McEntee, Meath, surrounded by Offaly’s Johnny Moloney and David Dempsey at Pairc Tailteann.
Leinster SFC: Meath defeat Offaly
Leinster Senior Football Championship First Round
MEATH 1-13 OFFALY 0-14
By Paul Keane at Pairc Tailteann, Navan
Favourites Meath lived on their wits in Navan, coming from four points down with 15 minutes to go to seal a battling victory and a Leinster SFC quarter-final place.
Andy McEntee’s Royal County charges were strong favourites to progress beforehand after lighting up the Allianz league with their promotion charge to Division 1.
But they were forced to dig deep in front of their own supporters in Navan and ultimately conjured 1-4 without reply in the closing minutes to see off John Maughan’s side.
Bryan McMahon’s 63rd minute goal was crucial for Meath, putting them into a lead that they held onto to secure a May 25 clash with Carlow.
McMahon scored 1-2 in total while Mickey Newman helped himself to four points in perfect conditions at Pairc Tailteann.
It was tough on Maughan’s Offaly who hit seven points in a row at the beginning of the second-half to put themselves in a strong position but they couldn’t finish off the 2010 champions.
Offaly were bidding for a first away win in the Leinster championship since beating Westmeath in Mullingar in 1997 and hinted initially that they might have some success in Navan.
With Niall McNamee back involved in Championship football for the first time since 2017, and converting two early frees, they led 0-4 to 0-2 after 20 minutes.
McNamee had an exciting duel with Meath full-back Conor McGill while Shane Gallagher tracked Bernard Allen, Offaly’s leading scorer in the league.
Peter Cunningham impressed at midfield for Offaly and his second point of the game tied things up at 0-5 apiece.
McNamee put Offaly ahead briefly with another converted free before Meath reeled off four points in a row to open up a three-point lead.
Captain Bryan Menton, Thomas O’Reilly, Cillian O’Sullivan and Newman were all on the mark as the hosts led 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time.
But it was far from a classic contest with Meath, the strong favourites, looking tentative and nervy as Offaly sought to capitalise on their underdogs tag.
Offaly ‘keeper Paddy Dunican was one of three Faithful debutants and blasted two frees wide in the first-half.
The Division 3 outfit, who narrowly avoided relegation, hit seven first-half wides and 14 in total.
Their radar was fully tuned in after the restart as they struck those seven points in a row to the horror of Meath supporters.
McNamee was on song in this period and scored three of those seven points while debutant Shane Horan, a Leinster club finalist with Kilmacud Crokes last December, also scored one.
With 49 minutes on the clock, Offaly now led by 0-13 to 0-9 and were suddenly in a strong position to plunder a famous win.
Ex-Meath captain Graham Reilly came off the bench and won a free that Newman converted.
It was an important score that halted Offaly’s momentum and ultimately began a comeback that elevated a relieved Meath to victory.
Newman’s fourth point arrived in the 57th minute before a McMahon score and then came the McMahon goal that lifted Meath from a point down to two ahead.
It was sub James Conlon who dropped his score attempt short but McMahon broke the ball before bundling it in from close range.
Scorers for Meath: Bryan McMahon 1-2, Michael Newman 0-4 (3fs), Cillian O’Sullivan 0-2, Bryan Menton 0-2, Ben Brennan 0-1, Thomas O’Reilly 0-1, James Conlon 0-1.
Scorers for Offaly: Niall McNamee 0-6 (4fs), Peter Cunningham 0-2, Eoin Carroll 0-2, Bernard Allen 0-2 (1F), Shane Horan 0-1, Niall Darby 0-1.
MEATH: Andrew Colgan; Seamus Lavin, Conor McGill, Shane Gallagher; James McEntee, Donal Keogan, Gavin McCoy; Bryan Menton, Shane McEntee; Cillian O’Sullivan, Bryan McMahon, Ben Brennan; Barry Dardis, Michael Newman, Thomas O’Reilly.
Subs: Adam Flanagan for S McEntee (ht), James Conlon for Dardis (42), Graham Reilly for O’Reilly (50), Sean Tobin for Brennan (52), Eoin Lynch for J McEntee (54), Padraic Harnan for Newman (70+5).
OFFALY: Paddy Dunican; Declan Hogan, Eoin Rigney, David Dempsey; Cian Donohoe, Johnny Moloney, Niall Darby; Eoin Carroll, Peter Cunningham; Shane Horan, Anton Sullivan, Cathal Mangan; Bernard Allen, Niall McNamee, Ruairi McNamee.
Subs: Shane Tierney for Sullivan (55), Joseph O’Connor for Horan (59), Paul McConway for Carroll (65), Mark Abbott for R McNamee (66), Conor Carroll for Cunningham (70+2).
Trevor Giles didn’t mince his words. With promotion to Division 1 secured, his ambitions for Meath have already moved on.
The summer offers an opportunity for progress.
Dublin and Kildare are on the other side of the draw, meaning one of the Royals, Offaly, Carlow, Laois and Westmeath will make a Leinster final.
From there, you’re only a win away from the rarefied air of the ‘Super 8s’ and last week Giles insisted that has to be Meath’s aim now.
However, Meath full-back Conor McGill is wary of such expectation.
After all, it’s less than a year since they were knocked out of the province by Longford, the midlanders’ first championship win over the Royals since 1982, meaning their date with Offaly in Navan on May 12 is their only focus.
“You can’t look past the first round,” McGill said.
“If you look past the first round to see who you might be playing the next day, you get caught out.
“Everything we’re doing, we’re just focusing on Offaly. If we get over them, then we’ll look on to a quarter-final but you see it so often in championship games or one-off games that the so-called favourite might be looking past it and they get caught on the hop.
“So everything we do is going to be focusing on Offaly and we’ll take it from there.”
Leinster has been a foregone conclusion since Meath took their last provincial title in 2010 but McGill insists they can’t think like that.
“If you’re just going out to make up numbers, there’s no real point. We’re going out there, we want to challenge ourselves against the best, put it up to them.
“If we get to play them in there, give it a go and we’re going to be going into… we’re competing to win Leinster, we’re not competing just to make up numbers and get knocked out and go through back doors and that.”
After securing promotion back to the top flight for the first time since 2006, Meath’s players went back to their clubs for two rounds of championship which were wrapped up last weekend.
And McGill is hopeful the promise of the spring can be carried into the summer.
“Promotion was huge. It sets us up that everyone is in such a good place at the moment.
“We set our stall out, we wanted to get up and if you don’t meet your first target of the year it might have negative effects on the team and the camp and that but we got promotion, so everyone’s in a good place.
“There’s a good buzz about the place in the county itself so we have momentum going into the championship.”
30.03.19
Allianz National Football League Final
Ryan McHugh, Donegal, and Conor McGill, Meath, during the Allianz Football League Division Two Final at Croke Park.
Allianz FL D2 Final: Donegal finish strongly
Allianz Football League Division Two Final
DONEGAL 1-17 MEATH 1-15
By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park
Ultimately this proved to be a particularly satisfying success for Donegal.
The blend of established and emerging Donegal footballers, who were eight points down early on, came storming back at GAA headquarters to secure silverware.
Having performed with such ambition initially Meath were left reflecting on what might have been as Donegal dictated the agenda in the dying embers.
Meath were highly impressive throughout the first half as Andy McEntee’s improving team accumulated a 1-10 to 0-8 interval lead.
There was so much to admire about how the Royals thundered into the contest with Mickey Newman causing Donegal significant bother.
Newman wasn’t the only Meath forward to shine with Thomas O’Reilly plundering a goal, while the dash of Cillian O’Sullivan and Bryan McMahon was evident too.
It meant that Donegal were in plenty of bother initially when Meath raced into a 1-6 to 0-1 advantage by the 13th minute.
The goal arrived in the 10th minute with Newman and Barry Dardis combining to release O’Reilly, who summoned a cool and composed finish.
That major put Meath six clear with further points from Ben Brennan and Newman guiding Meath into a commanding position.
Donegal did respond reeling off four points without reply from Oisin Gallen, Jamie Brennan (2), and Niall O’Donnell.
From then until the break it remained very interesting with Donegal trimming the deficit to three before sweet scores from O’Sullivan and O’Reilly ensured Meath departed five in the ascendancy.
Hugh McFadden., Donegal, and Shane McEntee, Meath, during the Allianz Football League Division Two Final at Croke Park.
McEntee must have been satisfied with Meath’s conversion rate of 1-10 from 16 shots illustrating how primed the Royals were for this contest.
After the restart, though, Donegal really started to pose questions with Michael Murphy carrying a potent threat.
Murphy was prominent in the Donegal comeback mission, while the promising Gallen also contributed handsomely for Declan Bonner’s charges.
By the 56th minute Donegal had the gap cut down to a point 1-14 to 0-16 following a smart burst which included splendid scores from Murphy, O’Donnell, and Gallen.
Inevitably Gallen and Murphy were instrumental in the creation of Brennan’s delightful 58th minute goal which made the Meath net dance.
Suddenly Meath were trailing by two as Donegal blasted a reminder of their considerable ability. In injury time Meath’s Shane Gallagher was sent off for a second bookable offence and Murphy expertly slotted the resultant free.
Valuable lessons were learned by Meath, but Donegal had the guile to survive and subsequently thrive on the grand Croke Park stage.
Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-7 (5fs, 2ms), Jamie Brennan 1-2, Oisin Gallen 0-4, Niall O’Donnell and Jason McGee 0-2 each.
Scorers for Meath: Mickey Newman 0-5 (2fs, 1m), Thomas O’Reilly 1-1, Bryan McMahon and Cillian O’Sullivan (1f) 0-2 each, Ben Brennan, Bryan Menton, Shane McEntee, Graham Reilly, and Barry Dardis (45) 0-1 each.
DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Stephen McMenamin, Brendan McCole, Paddy McGrath; Daire O’Baoill, Leo McLoone, Eoghan Ban Gallagher; Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee; Niall O’Donnell, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle; Oisin Gallen, Michael Murphy, Jamie Brennan.
Subs: Neil McGee for McCole (14), Eamonn Doherty for McLoone (HT), Michael Langan for McGonagle (44), Eoin McHugh for O’Baoill (54), Frank McGlynn for R McHugh (70).
MEATH: Andrew Colgan; Seamus Lavin, Conor McGill, Shane Gallagher; James McEntee, Donal Keogan, Ronan Ryan; Bryan Menton, Shane McEntee; Cillian O’Sullivan, Ben Brennan, Bryan McMahon; Barry Dardis, Mickey Newman, Thomas O’Reilly.
Subs: Graham Reilly for McMahon (35), Darragh Campion for Brennan (43), James Conlon for O’Reilly (65), Gavin McCoy for S McEntee (67).
REFEREE: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary).
24.03.19
Allianz National Football League - Rd. 7
Allianz Football League Roinn 2
Meath 2-12 0-11 Fermanagh
Cillian O’Sullivan, Meath, and Sean Quigley, Fermanagh, in Allianz Football League Division Two action at Pairc Tailteann.
Allianz FL D2: Meath secure promotion
Allianz Football League Division Two
MEATH 2-12 FERMANAGH 0-11
By Paul Keane at Pairc Tailteann, Navan
James McEntee and Barry Dardis fired the vital goals as Meath claimed victory in Navan and in the process secured their place in Division 1 of the Allianz football league for 2020.
The Royal County haven’t competed in the top flight since 2006 when they were relegated from the old 1B group.
They could afford to lose to Fermanagh and still go up and while they endured a shaky start they quickly found their groove and turned in a powerful performance to record their sixth victory of the campaign.
Man of the Match McEntee helped himself to 1-1, the same tally as Dardis while Cillian O’Sullivan and Mickey Newman impressed up front for the hosts.
The seven-point win secures Meath a Division 2 final clash at Croke Park next weekend against Donegal and supporters are already looking forward to the Championship with optimism.
Meath came into the game knowing they could lose by anything up to nine points and still progress to Division 1.
That safety net perhaps explained their early lethargy as Fermanagh, with a stiff wind behind them, struck four points in the first four minutes.
In fact, the Ernesiders could have wiped out that nine-point cushion in the opening 10 minutes when they’d registered five wides along with those four points.
Fermanagh, last in Division 1 in 2007 and also in the promotion picture at the beginning of the afternoon, racked up 11 wides in total in the first-half and will kick themselves for not capitalising on the wind advantage.
Meath went in at the break leading 1-4 to 0-6 when the visitors really should have been ahead.
Meath only scored one point in the opening 23 minutes, a 16th minute effort from O’Sullivan.
But the hosts, roared on by a large and vocal home support, finished the half strong with Dardis netting in the 29th minute.
It was his third goal in four games having previously raised green flags as a sub against Cork and Kildare.
O’Sullivan and Newman added points before the interval to leave Meath in pole position and looking forward to playing with the strong wind in the second-half.
It was a tough task for Fermanagh who briefly tied up the game after the restart before falling well behind as Meath registered 1-4 without reply to take firm control of the game.
McEntee grabbed his goal in the 47th minute after great work in the buildup by Bryan McMahon who made space for himself with a clever burst of pace.
It put Meath 2-8 to 0-7 clear and they closed out the game professionally with points from O’Sullivan, Newman and sub James Conlon to ensure there were never any nervous moments late on.
Scorers for Meath: Barry Dardis 1-1, James McEntee 1-1, Cillian O’Sullivan 0-4 (1f), Mickey Newman 0-3 (0-1f), Ben Brennan 0-1 (0-1f), Bryan Menton 0-1, James Conlon 0-1.
Scorers for Fermanagh: Ryan Jones 0-3, Ciaran Corrigan 0-2, Sean Quigley 0-2 (1f), Conall Jones 0-2, Ultan Kelm 0-1, Darragh McGurn 0-1 (f).
MEATH: Andrew Colgan; Seamus Lavin, Conor McGill, Shane Gallagher; James McEntee, Donal Keogan, Ronan Ryan; Bryan Menton, Shane McEntee; Cillian O’Sullivan, Bryan McMahon, Ben Brennan; Thomas O’Reilly, Barry Dardis, Mickey Newman.
Subs: Graham Reilly for Brennan (h/t), Darragh Campion for McMahon (56), Adam Flanagan for Shane McEntee (62), Gavin McCoy for Gallagher (64), James Conlon for O’Reilly (65).
FERMANAGH: James McGrath; Lee Cullen, Kane Connor, Jonny Cassidy; Che Cullen, James McMahon, Ryan Lyons; Eoin Donnelly, Ryan Jones; Aidan Breen, Ultan Kelm, Ciaran Corrigan; Sean Quigley, Conall Jones, Declan McCusker.
Subs: Paul McCusker for Lyons (45), Daniel Teague for Kelm (49), Darragh McGurn for Conall Jones (56), Tom Clarke for Donnelly (58), Conor Magee for Quigley (58).
REFEREE: James Molloy (Galway).
24.03.19
Allianz National Football League - Rd. 7 Preview
Division 2
Armagh v Cork, Athletic Grounds, 2pm
Donegal v Kildare, Ballyshannon, 2pm
Meath v Fermanagh, Pairc Tailteann, 2pm
Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, 2pm.
Meath are in an very strong position at the top of Division Two with 10 points from six matches with Fermanagh and Donegal behind them on eight points each.
The Royals are guaranteed promotion if they can avoid a defeat to Fermanagh by 10 points or more at Navan thanks to their current very healthy scoring difference of +20.
If Fermanagh defeat Meath and Donegal defeat Kildare, then Meath, Donegal, and Fermanagh will all be on 10 points and the two teams with the best scoring difference progress to the Final.
Meath are very much in pole-position in this regard, but there’s not much between Fermanagh (+2) and Donegal (+5).
Kildare are still in with a decent chance of promotion too. They’ll go up if they can defeat Donegal in Ballyshannon and Meath beat Fermanagh in Navan.
At the other end of the table there’s a three-way relegation shoot-out between Munster rivals Clare, Tipperary and Cork who are all currently on three points each.
Clare and Tipperary play one another, so there’s a lot riding on that match. Clare will definitely stay up if they win because even if Cork beat Armagh and also finish on five points, the fact that they were beaten by Clare earlier in the campaign means they lose out on the head to head rule.
Put simply, Clare can relegate both Tipperary and Cork by beating Tipperary.
For Tipperary to stay up in Division Two they need to beat Clare and hope that Armagh can beat or draw with Cork.
Cork’s survival depends on the Rebels beating Armagh and Tipperary beating or drawing with Clare.
Armagh are the only team in Division Two with nothing to play for as they’re safe from relegation and can’t be promoted.
Sun 24.03.2019
Armagh v Cork, Athletic Grounds, 2.0
Donegal v Kildare, Ballyshannon, 2.0
Meath v Fermanagh, Pairc Tailteann, 2.0
Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, 2.0
16.03.19
Allianz National Football League - Round 6, Meath 1-12 Clare 1-07
Meath on cusp of top-flight promotion after victory over Clare
Sunday, 17 Mar 2019
Graham Reilly scored a second half goal which propelled the Royals to victory in EnnisBy Seamus HayesMeath moved a step closer to division 1 football in 2020 when they turned in a strong second half performance to overcome Clare at Cusack park in Ennis this afternoon.It was a result that didn’t seem likely at half time when they were a little fortunate to lead by the minimum margin after playing with the aid of a strong wind.Clare enjoyed the better of the opening half exchanges but the Royal county side took over in the second half when they confined the home side to just three points, all of which came from frees.This win leaves Meath at the top of the league table, two points clear of Donegal and Fermanagh, who they play next week, and while it is still mathematically possible for them to lose out on promotion, it will be a big surprise given their scoring difference if such an outcome materialised.They made the better start in this afternoon’s contest and had 0-4 on the scoreboard after just six minutes. A further two minutes elapsed before Clare opened their account but from here on the home side dominated the opening half.
Clare took the lead six minutes from the half time whistle when Sean O’Donoghue found the net after being put through by Jamie Malone.
Meath rallied and landed the last two points of the half to lead by one, 0-8 to 1-4, at the interval.
With the advantage of a strong wind to come, Clare followers were confident of achieving victory heading into the second half. However, Meath had other ideas and they stepped up their performance considerably when play resumed.
The sides exchanged points in the opening five minutes but a further ten minutes elapsed before the next score which was a crucial one.
The introduction of Graham Reilly certainly made a difference. Within a minute of his arrival he had picked up a yellow card and scored his side’s goal, a score that rocked Clare’s challenge.
They followed the goal with three unanswered points to open a seven point lead. Clare battled on and had the last two points of the tie, scores that could yet prove crucial in their battle to avoid the drop to division 3.
Meath: A.Congan; S. Lavin, C. McGill, R. Ryan; J. Mc Entee, D. Keogan, S. Gallagher;B. Menton, S. McEntee; C. O’Sullivan (0-3), E. Devine, D. Campion (0-1); B. McMahon, M. Newman (0-4, f) T. O’Reilly (0-2).
Subs: B. Dardis (0-1) for S. McEntee (inj 10 mins); A. Flanagan for Devine; G. Reilly (1-0) for Campion; P. Harnan for McMahon; E. Lynch for O’Sullivan;
Clare: E.Tubridy; K. Harnett, C. Brennan, G. Kelly; S. O’Donoghue (1-0), A. Fitzgerald, D. Ryan; G Brennan, C. O’Connor; K.Malone, C. Cleary (0-5, frees), J. Malone; C. O’Dea, D. Tubridy (0-1, f), G. Cooney (0-1);
Subs: K. Sexton for K. Malone; S. Collins for Ryan; E, Courtney for Tubridy;
Referee: B. Tiernan, Dublin
Allianz Football League Roinn 2
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
1
Meath
6
5
0
1
93
73
10
2
Fermanagh
6
3
2
1
58
56
8
3
Donegal
6
4
0
2
89
84
8
4
Kildare
6
3
1
2
77
70
7
5
Armagh
6
2
2
2
84
79
6
6
Clare
6
1
1
4
83
91
3
7
Tipperary
6
1
1
4
77
86
3
8
Cork
6
1
1
4
73
95
3
Allianz Football League Division Two Preview
Sunday March 17
Clare v Meath, Cusack Park, 2.00pm
Clare and Meath both need to put points into the account so this should be a lively affair in Ennis.
With four victories from five games Andy McEntee’s Meath are in a healthy position ahead of the remaining two fixtures.
The Banner, though, want to avoid the drop ensuring Colm Collins will have his panel primed for this tussle.
Despite only accumulating three points Clare will feel that Division Two status can be retained, but an efficient display will be required.
Meath, brimful of confidence and momentum following the Kildare triumph, are striving to return to the top tier.
Andy McEntee’s Meath have claimed four wins in five Allianz Football League Division Two games in 2019.
Improving Meath hoping to reach the next level
By Cian O’Connell
“Everybody has to look at the big picture here,” Andy McEntee explains when asked about just how important a step it would be to reclaim Allianz Football League Division One status.
McEntee is completely aware that a couple of demanding matches against Clare and Fermanagh loom, but getting Meath back dining at the top table remains the brief.
“For us to encourage young people in Meath to be playing Gaelic Football we need to be playing at the highest level,” McEntee adds.
“You have options out there for guys that maybe weren’t there in the past. So GAA has to compete with other sports for the attention of the younger people. We have to make sure that playing for Meath is an attractive proposition for young people. To do that we need to be playing at the highest level.”
Since taking the Meath managerial position McEntee has enjoyed some encouraging moments and endured harrowing losses. With four wins from five League games in 2019, though, hope and expectation is returning which is significant and McEntee accepts the past number of years important work is taking place in the underage grades.
“No, I think that is a fair comment,” McEntee replies. “We have a lot of good coaches and former players involved with all of the underage teams. We are starting to see a consistent level of preparation for all the underage teams.
“Ultimately that is what is going to give you a bigger pool of players coming up to senior level. I think when you see the likes of Ethan Devine and Darragh Campion coming through, young players like that it is a positive.
“They have come through a good system, they have done the work and preparation at underage with their coaches over the last number of years. I think that is hugely important.”
Meath are making progress under Andy McEntee in 2019.
Ultimately it is one of the chief reasons McEntee feels Meath’s panel is the strongest since his arrival. “I think it probably is, but lads have put in three years of continuous work,” McEntee states. “I think physically we are starting to show some of the benefits of that. I think we are able for the physicality and the pace of games at this level.
“That doesn’t happen overnight so I think we probably are that little bit better equipped. I also think some of the younger players joining the panel have added strength and added a little bit of freshness to it so they have been very important for us this year.
“We are happy enough, we can’t complain because we’ve had five good enough performances. So it puts us in a good position and we are in control of our own destiny. That is as much as you can ask for.”
There was plenty of character exhibited during the victory over Kildare at Pairc Tailteann, a last gasp goal from a Barry Dardis penalty earning the spoils.
Such resilience is impressing the Meath faithful, who are beginning to believe in McEntee’s charges. “I think there probably is a bit of that, but Meath supporters have always had a great love for their team,” McEntee remarks.
“They have always wanted this and they have always been crying out for a team to support, to show some values that they can associate with really.
“I think the performances to date have shown that no matter what happens these guys are willing to go out, to put in a really good effort, a really honest effort. I think our supporters in general can relate to that and they can accept if we put in a good effort and don’t get a result like the night up in Donegal.
“There was a very positive reaction to the performance that night. So long as we do put in an honest effort I think our supporters in general would forgive us a lot of shortcomings.”
The impressive Darragh Campion is making an impact with Meath this year.
The manner in which Meath lost to Donegal was unfortunate, but the Royals’ response has been to chalk up three triumphs in a row.
“It is a game we arguably played our best in,” McEntee recalls. “We got nothing out of it, but having said that that is the way these things go. We’ve had a bit of bad luck that night, but maybe we’ve had the rub of the green since then. Maybe these things even themselves out in the end.”
So with Meath generating momentum is there any specific reason why the Royals are motoring smoothly in 2019? “It is hard to pinpoint any one thing,” McEntee answers.
“I think last year was ultimately disappointing for everybody in the League and in the Championship. Maybe guys just have had enough of not winning these games and are putting in a little bit extra. The attitude has always been decent. I suppose the harder you work the luckier you are likely to get. The lads have put in a decent shift so far this year and so far it seems to be paying off.”
Clare, who are intent on avoiding relegation, and Fermanagh, still heavily involved in the promotion race, provide the opposition in Meath’s remaining tussles. Division Two continues to supply thrills and spills. “Every game is huge and it is funny the way it is turning out this year,” McEntee admits.
“Last year and for the last couple of years 10 points would guarantee you promotion, but 10 points won’t guarantee you promotion this year. That is certainly my look on it, we have got to make sure we prepare properly for each game to make sure we get something out of both of them.
“Likewise the teams we are playing are in a similar boat. Everybody still has something to play for, whether it is promotion or to avoid relegation. I think that is what makes the League as good as it is really.”
Under McEntee Meath are doing their bit too and the rest of March promises to be revealing
Allianz Football League Roinn 2
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
1
Meath
5
4
0
1
78
63
8
2
Fermanagh
5
3
2
0
52
44
8
3
Donegal
5
3
0
2
67
69
6
4
Kildare
5
2
1
2
63
57
5
5
Armagh
5
1
2
2
72
73
4
6
Clare
5
1
1
3
73
76
3
7
Tipperary
5
1
1
3
64
72
3
8
Cork
5
1
1
3
58
73
3
03.03.19
Allianz National Football League Division 2, An Mhí v Cill Dara
Peter Kelly, Kildare, and Donal Keogan, Meath, in Allianz Football League action at Pairc Tailteann.
Allianz FL D2: Late Meath goal earns victory
Allianz Football League Division Two
MEATH 1-9 KILDARE 1-8
By Ger McNally at Pairc Tailteann
Meath edged closer to Division One after an injury time Barry Dardis penalty gave them a win over local rivals Kildare in a crunch promotion encounter in Navan.
The game, played through driving rain and snow, was led by Kildare from the sixth minute after Ben McCormack’s goal until Dardis’ strike after Cian O’Neill’s team only scored one point in the second half.
Kildare’s cause wasn’t helped by three enforced substitutions due to injuries to McCormack, Eoin Doyle and Mark Donnellan. Clan O’Donoghue would have been added to that list in the last 10 minutes only that Kildare had made their five substitutions by then.
After early scores from Paddy Brophy, Neil Flynn and Jimmy Hyland, McCormack’s goal put Kildare 1-3 to 0-1 ahead.
Ben Brennan and Darragh Campion struck back for Andy McEntee’s team but even though Kildare went down to 14 men for a 10 minute spell after a black card shown to Mick O’Grady, Kildare were able to stretch their lead out to 1-7 to 0-5 by the half time break.
The second half was a very different affair as the home side pinned Kildare back into their own half. Brennan scored a free within 30 seconds of the half but it was 13 minutes before the same player scored the next point.
Flynn scored Kildare’s only second half point from a 50th minute free.
Meath almost found the net in the 51st minute but Donnellan made an outstanding save to deny Ronan Ryan, only to pick up an injury in doing so.
Dardis, in the 61st minute, and Cillian O’Sullivan, in the 66th minute, scored to get Meath back to within two points but it looked like Kildare would hold on as the game moved into injury time.
They were caught out though by a long ball and although Conor McGill couldn’t collect the ball, he diverted it into the path of Shane McEntee who was trippped by Keith Cribbin before he could turn the ball home. Dardis stepped up to take the penalty and if he was feeling any nerves at such an important kick he didn’t show them as he smashed the ball into the roof of the Kildare net.
Kildare pushed hard in the remaining minutes of injury time but couldn’t find a way through and it’s Meath who take a giant leap towards Division 1.
Scorers for Meath: B Dardis 1-1 (1-0pen, 0-1f), B Brennan 0-4 (2fs), M Newman 0-2 (1f), D Campion 0-1, C O’Sullivan 0-1.
Scorers for Kildare: B McCormack 1-1, N Flynn 0-3 (1f), Jimmy Hyland 0-1 (m), T Moolick 0-1, K Cribbin 0-1, P Brophy 0-1.
MEATH: Andrew Colgan; Seamus Lavin, Conor McGill, Ronan Ryan; Gavin McCoy, Donal Keogan, Shane Gallagher; Bryan Menton, Shane McEntee; Cillian O’Sullivan, Ben Brennan, Darragh Campion; Bryan McMahon, Michael Newman, Thomas O’Reilly.
Subs: Graham Reilly for McMahon (HT), Niall Kane for McCoy (HT), Barry Dardis for Newman (50), Padraig Harnan for Campion (60), Mickey Burke for Brennan (60).
KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Mark Dempsey, Mick O’Grady David Hyland; Cian O’Donoghue Eoin Doyle, Peter Kelly; Kevin Feely, Tommy Moolick; Paddy Brophy, Fergal Conway, Keith Cribbin; Neil Flynn, Ben McCormack, Jimmy Hyland.
Subs: Adam Tyrrell for McCormack (24), Paul Cribbin for Brophy (50), James Murray for Eoin Doyle (52), Kevin O’Callaghan for Conway (55), Aaron O’Neill for Donnellan (55).
REFEREE: Derek O’Mahoney, Tipperary
Liam Hogan, physio
Jason Scully
Darragh McGovern
Danny Quinn
Andy McEntee, manager
Thomas O'Reilly
C'ship Debut v Louth 2017 C'ship Games 3 all as substitute Score 0-2 DOB 11/06/1997 Height 6’ 1” Weight 89Kgs Occupation Student Last Book Read: Henry Shefflin
Rúairí Ó Coileán
Damien O'Sullivan, nutritionist
Michael Burke
3 May 2019; Michael Burke during a Meath Football Squad Portraits session at Fota Island Resort, Cork. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
Shane Glynn
C'ship Debut N/A C'ship Games N/A Score N/A DOB 22/08/1991 Height 6’ 2” Weight 89Kgs Occupation Solicitor Last Book Read: Steve Jobs Biography
Adam Flanagan
C'ship Debut v Carlow 2014 C'ship Games 3 incl 2 as substitute Score 0-0 DOB 14/03/1994 Height 6’ 5” Weight 90Kgs Occupation Engineer Last Book Read: Fire and Fury
Niall O'Carroll, mental skills coach
Sean Curran
C'ship Debut ??? C'ship Games ???? Score ????? DOB 10/12/1990 Height 6’ 2” Weight 85Kgs Occupation IT Support Last Book Read: Until Victory Always
Conor McGill
C'ship Debut v Westmeath 2015 C'ship Games 6 none as substitute Score 0-0 DOB 12/06/1993 Height 6’ 2” Weight 85Kgs Occupation Sales Advisor Last Book Read: The Battle by Paul O Connell
Owen McDonne
Shane McEntee
C'ship Debut v Louth 2017 C'ship Games 4 none as substitute Score 0-3 DOB 06/03/1994 Height 6’ 1” Weight 84Kgs Occupation Army Officer Last Book Read: Six Days
Barry Dardis
Peter Nolan, performance coach
Niall Kane
Sean Tobin
John Coghlan, strength and conditioning coach
Thomas McGovern
Donal Keogan
C'ship Debut v Wicklow 2012 C'ship Games 24 incl 1 as substitute Score 0-2 DOB 13/04/1991 Height 6’ 0” Weight 87Kgs Occupation Doctor Last Book Read: Paul O Connell
Cillian O'Sullivan
C'ship Debut v Louth 2016 C'ship Games 7 none as substitute Score 1-9 DOB 05/02/1994 Height 5’ 11” Weight 84Kgs Occupation Psychology Consultant Last Book Read: Outliners by Malcolm Gladwell
Dualtach Mac Colgáin, team doctor
Colm Nally, coach
Martin Regan, masseur
Andy Colgan
Michael Newman
Ross Ryan
Gavin McCoy
Paddy Doyle, kitman
Robin Clarke
Mark Geraghty, physio
Padraig Harnan
Graham Reilly
C'ship Debut v Carlow 2008 C'ship Games 35 incl 4 as substitute Score 1-74 DOB 30/06/89 Height 6’3” Weight 91Kgs Occupation Personal Trainer Last Book Read: Roy Keane
Marcus Brennan
Finian Murtagh, selector
Shane Gallagher
C'ship Debut N/A C'ship Games N/A Score N/A DOB 01/02/1994 Height 5’ 10” Weight 78Kgs Occupation Student Last Book Read: Elon Musk
Bryan McMahon
C'ship Debut v Wexford 2013 C'ship Games 13 incl 3 as substitute Score 3-9 DOB 01/01/1993 Height 5’ 10” Weight 74Kgs Occupation Marketing Executive Last Book Read: Pep Guardiola
Bryan Menton
C'ship Debut v Kildare 2011 C'ship Games 21 incl 1 as substitute Score 0-6 DOB 21/05/91 Height 6’ 3” Weight 92Kgs Occupation Architectural Technician Last Book Read: Until Victory Always
Eoin Lynch
Gerry Cooney, selector
Darragh Campion
James McEntee
C'ship Debut v Dublin 2014 C'ship Games 7 incl 2 as substitute Score 0-3 DOB 10/02/1995 Height 5’ 10” Weight 84Kgs Occupation Student Last Book Read: Open by Andre Agassi
James Conlon
Shane O'Brien, statistics and analysis
Seamus Lavin
C'ship Debut ??? C'ship Games ??? Score ??? DOB 19/01/1995 Height 6’ 0” Weight 83Kgs Occupation Accountant Last Book Read Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis
Donal Curtis, selector
Ronan Ryan
Ethan Devine
Ben Brennan
3 May 2019; Ben Brennan during a Meath Football Squad Portraits session at Fota Island Resort, Cork. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 at 7:39pm
💚 💛 Having claimed the Adrian Murray Cup last year as U16s, the current crop of Meath minor hurlers collected their medals from senior hurling captain Sean Geraghty in Dunganny last week. Well done to the team & management 💚💛 https://t.co/UMm8CwCdKy
Monday, March 2nd, 2020 at 2:23pm
Allianz Hurling league is now finished for Meath Hurlers for the 2020 season. Two wins against Wicklow and Mayo. A Narrow loss to Offaly and again a narrow loss to Kerry. A bad day at the office against Antrim completed our season. Pictures by Noel Kelly Ratoath GAA club https://t.co/SglWbeOipU
