Brilliant Bell the hero
MEATH OFFALY 1-13 1-12
ST COLMCILLE’S David Bell produced a virtuoso performance to save Meath’s blushes in the Leinster MFC at Pairc Tailtann last Wednesday evening
Bell’s tally of 1-5 included a goal on 58 minutes which rescued his side from a first defeat of the campaign
Bell was only named in the first 15 after captain Matthew Costello was unable to take his place because of injury
The victory leaves Meath winners of Group 1 and into a semi-final ahead of their clash against Wicklow in Aughrim this evening (Tuesday) at 7.30
Meath led by six points early in the second half but that lead was wiped out and a resurgent Offaly went ahead for the first time following a point from Morgan Tynan on 53 minutes
However Joe Treanor’s side showed tremendous character to eke out the win despite having influential midfielder Cian McBride red carded on 52 minutes
It was a game that Meath looked as if they were going to coast to victory at different stages but they could never quite shake of a tenacious Offaly outfit who needed a victory to remain in contention
The hosts made the most of the chances created in the early stages and forged ahead following three points from Luke Mitchell and another from Bryan McCormack
Offaly’s finishing in the same period was erratic to say the least and they tallied seven wides before Aaron Kellaghan eventually opened their account
That score seemed to give them confidence and they added three further points to be level at 0-4 each on 24 minutes
Meath, and Bell in particular, responded to the challenge with the Cille’s youngster knocking over four points in a five minute spell before the break
Mitchell added another to leave Meath ahead 0-9 to 0-4 at the break
Bryan McCormack, with his second point, stretched the lead on the restart before Sean Courtney accounted for Offaly’s first two scores of the second half
There was still five between the sides after Bell added to his haul and while Offaly got the deficit back to three, a point from corner back Conor Farrelly left it 0-12 to 0-8 on 47 minutes
Then in a few short minutes the complexion of the game turned dramatically
First Meath keeper Eoin Griffin allowed an effort from Mikey Cunningham under his body for a fortutious goal for the Faithful boys
Jack Bryant quickly shot the equalising point and then towering Meath midfielder Cian McBride was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card
Offaly twice took the lead in the closing stages, the second time was following an effort from Bryant, his third since his introduction towards the end of the third quarter
With two minutes of normal time remaining an Offaly defender misjudged the flight of the ball setting Mitchel free and from his pass Bell made no mistake as he blasted high to the net
An Aaron Callaghan point left the minimum between the teams but Meath held out in what proved to be a tense finish
MEATH: Eoin Griffin (Clann na nGael); James O’Hare (Rathkenny), Harry O’Higgins (Round Towers), Conor Farrelly 0-1 (Walterstown); Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown), Conor Harford (St Vincent’s), Sean Coffey (Ballinabrackey); Adam Reilly (Moynalty), Cian McBride (St Ultan’s); Luke Kelly (Na Fianna), Darragh Swaine (Clann na nGael), Bryan McCormack 0-2 (Moynalty); Brian O’Hanlon (Navan O’Mahonys), David Bell 1-5, 1f (St Colmcille’s), Luke Mitchell 0-5 1f (Dunshaughlin). Subs: Adam Treanor (Walterstown) for Kelly, Niall Bennett (Kilmainhamwood) for Reilly, Colin Hawdon (Oldcastle) for Swaine (all 44), Oisin McCloskey (Na Fianna) for McCormack (58), Joe Moore (Seneschalstown) for Hawdon (BC 60)
OFFALY: Sean O’Toole; Aaron Brazil, Kieran Dolan, Brian Nolan; Ed Cullen, Rory Egan, Harry Balsiger; Cathal Donoghue, Morgan Tynan 0-1; Peter Bennett, Daniel Lowry, Mikey Cunningham 1-0; Sean Courtney 0-4 (1f), Enda Coughlan 0-1, Aaron Kellaghan 0-3 (1f). Subs: Cathal Flynn for Lowry (h-t), Jack Bryant 0-3 for Coughlan (44), Lee Pearson for Cunningham (59)
REF: Niall Ward (Westmeath).