Disappointing end to Meath’s league season

Donegal Meath 1-18 1-10

IF MEATH were seeking a boost ahead of the upcoming Leinster SFC clash with Longford, it wasn’t forthcoming at Mac Cumhaill Park, Ballybofey, last Saturday evening.

The Royals ended their Allianz FL Division 2 campaign on a losing note, the second successive defeat since securing their status following the draw away to Cavan. It was another outing when they were well off the pace for long stretches against a Donegal side who were close to full strength despite already having secured promotion and a final spot against Armagh.

Colm O’Rourke, for his part, made wholesale changes from the team that started the last outing against Cork, giving a number of fringe players the opportunity to stake a claim ahead of the championship. Among the eight changes were Ross Ryan, Harry O’Higgins and James Conlon, who were returning from injuries, while Keith Curtis saw his first real action of the campaign.

Both Conlon, who was a late addition to the starting 15 in place of Mathew Costello, and Curtis enjoyed good moments in attack and contributed to the scoring with a brace of points apiece. The return to competitive action of those recently recovered from injury as well as the displays of Conlon and Curtis were some crumbs of comfort for Meath.

Jimmy McGuinness had never tasted defeat as a manager at the Ballybofey venue, winning eight and drawing three of his 11 games in charge of the county and that was an indication of the enormity of Meath’s task before the throw-in.

However, they made the best possible start with Donal Keogan, Ruairí Kinsella and Conlon getting their hands on the ball before Cathal Hickey finished to the net inside 25 seconds. A brilliant start that they were, unfortunately, unable to build on and they had to wait 27 minutes for their next score, a fine effort by Conlon from a Curtis pass.

Conlon was denied a goal after taking a pass from Cian McBride on 14 minutes, with Donegal ’keeper Shaun Patton making a fine save.

Donegal fared much better following an indifferent start with just two points in the opening 24 minutes. Shane O’Donnell had their opening score before Oisín Gallen doubled their tally.

They showed their efficiency in a three-minute spell with points from Jamie Brennan, Aaron Doherty and Gallen. O’Donnell and Gallen added further points to stretch the lead, 0-7 to 1-1, by the 31st minute.

Meath then lost wing-back Adam McDonnell to a black card for a late challenge as Gallen fisted over but his loss didn’t have serious consequences as Donegal just outscored their opponents three points to two in the run up to half-time. Curtis and Shane Walsh accounted for the Meath points as it ended 0-10 to 1-3 at half-time.

The visitors restarted with a point from Kinsella before McDonnell’s return. Ryan McHugh and Doherty had Donegal up and running in the second half with points. Ronan Jones replied with a fine score but the game was firmly put out of reach as Ciarán Thompson landed a point from long range and then Brennan was on the end of a move that saw him sidestep Billy Hogan and finish to the net to leave it 1-13 to 1-5.

Both sides had begun to empty their bench at that stage, though Meath managed scores from sub Danny Dixon, Conlon, Keogan, Curtis and Aaron Lynch (free) before the finish.

DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Stephen McMenamin, Ciarán Moore; Ryan McHugh 0-2, Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan; Hugh McFadden 0-1, Aaron Doherty 0-2; Shane O’Donnell 0-2, Ciarán Thompson 0-3 (2f), Jamie Brennan 1-1; Paddy McBrearty, Oisín Gallen 0-4, Dáire Ó Baoill. Subs: Jeaic MacCeallbhui 0-1 for McBrearty (19), Niall O’Donnell 0-1 for O Baoill (HT), Ciarán McColgan for McHugh (44), John Ross Molloy for McMenamin (54), Luke McGlynn 0-1 for McFadden (54).

MEATH: Billy Hogan; Harry O’Higgins, Adam O’Neill, Brian O’Halloran; Adam McDonnell, Donal Keogan 0-1, Ross Ryan; Ronan Jones 0-1, Cian McBride; Diarmuid Moriarty, Ruairí Kinsella 0-1, Cathal Hickey 1-0; Shane Walsh 0-1, James Conlon 0-2, Keith Curtis 0-2. Subs: Jack O’Connor 0-1 for Moriarty (46), Danny Dixon for McBride (52), Aaron Lynch 0-1 (1f) for Walsh (55), Michael Murphy for O’Higgins (58), Ciarán Caulfield for McDonnell (61).

REFEREE: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).