All about the result as Meath make solid start
NEVER mind the quality, it was all about collecting the points on offer in this opening-round NFL Division 2 tie at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
This Meath display was well short of what would be needed to win promotion, but victory was crucial ahead of this Saturday’s clash against Donegal in Ballybofey.
Tipperary made the journey seeking to repeat last year’s 2-15 to 1-10 victory, but their chances had diminished even before they took to the field. Without key players Robbie Kiely, Bill Maher and Michael Quinlivan, Liam Kearns’ side were always facing an uphill battle.
However, for long spells they defied the odds and had put themselves in a great position after captain Conor Sweeney pointed from a free to leave it 1-7 to 0-10 on 55 minutes.
The Premier County had the elements in their favour, but they could only add a further point for the remainder of the game and
Meath Tipperary 0-15 1-8
it was the Royals who finished with a flurry.
Substitutes Cillian O’Sullivan and Graham Reilly made an impact in the Meath attack in the second half and it was the Colmcille’s man who responded to Sweeney’s equalising point with a splendid effort at the other end to restore his side’s lead, and that proved to be a crucial score.
Wing back James McEntee, who made some fine surging runs throughout, doubled the Meath advantage following a great individual effort.
Tipperary got it back to the minimum following Liam McGrath’s point from the left wing, but it was the home side who continued to enjoy the edge and they closed out the match with points from Mickey Newman (two) and Cillian O’Sullivan, all from placed balls.
The visitors’ chances were dented when midfielder Steven O’Brien picked up a second yellow card following a bad foul on Thomas O’Reilly with five minutes of normal time remaining. They were two points in arrears at the time and even with a full quota of players the game was probably beyond them at that stage.
Substitute Josh Keane was sin-binned in the closing minutes, leaving Tipp finishing the game with 13.
Mickey Newman, who didn’t play any part throughout 2018, top-scored for the Royals with seven points, and his accuracy, especially from frees, was crucial throughout.
Manager Andy McEntee handed debuts to four players and it was two of these in defence, Ronan Ryan and Niall Kane, who really caught the eye.
Summerhill man Ryan did some great covering to lessen the Tipperary threat, while Simonstown’s Kane was his usual busy self throughout as he seamlessly brought his club form to the higher level.
With Donal Keogan and James McEntee also in top form the Meath rearguard as a whole performed to such an extent that Tipperary had limited opportunities in attack.
Shane McEntee, who was a replacement for the injured Adam Flanagan before the start, got through some good work in midfield. Newman was the star in attack, while the arrival of O’Sullivan and Reilly added badly needed pace in the second half.
Tipperary lacked a cutting edge up front and only managed three points from play over the 70-plus minutes from Liam Boland, Liam McGrath and Brian Fox. They did manage to reduce a four-point deficit to the minimum in the opening half and also hit four successive points in the second half to draw level and put themselves in a great position entering the closing stages.
The opening half proved a dour affair as Meath enjoyed an abundance of possession, and with Newman on target with three points they built up a 0-5 to 0-1 lead by the 22nd minute.
Newman’s opening point from play left it 0-6 to 0-2, but Tipperary were thrown a lifeline when Conor Sweeney converted a penalty following a trip on Dan O’Meara. Newman’s fifth point of the half left it 0-7 to 1-2 at the break.
Brian Fox hit the opening point of the second half for the visitors before efforts from Ben Brennan, Bryan Menton and Thomas O’Reilly left it 0-10 to 1-3 by the 43rd minute.
To their credit Tipperary responded to the challenge and Sweeney (three) and Liam McGrath hit points in a nine-minute spell to draw level. The Meath defence was prised open on 50 minutes, but the ball ran away from Liam Casey as he was about to pull the trigger and Niall Kane got back to clear.
However, the visitors were unable to sustain their spell of dominance and as their challenge fizzled out it was the Meath men who regained the initiative to produce an impressive finish. MEATH: