McEntee hails Royals’ nerve in novel shoot-out
MEATH manager Andy McEntee admitted a historic free-taking competition was a punishing way for their Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup semi-final to be decided. The teams finished level after extra-time in Navan so a freetaking competition, where both teams kick five from the 45-metre line, was used for the first time. Cillian O’Sullivan ultimately kicked the winner for Meath who came out on top, 2-1, with the other seven kicks all sent wide. Converted frees from Mark McCabe and O’Sullivan secured the hosts’ place in next Sunday’s final with Westmeath. ‘It’s tough,’ said Royals boss McEntee. ‘There was a bit of a breeze behind but a 50-yard free-kick is a fair effort if you’ve just played 90 minutes.’ Longford led 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time of normal time having spurned two goal chances. O’Sullivan laid on the final pass for Sean Tobin who scored a brilliant 58th-minute goal, putting Meath 1-10 to 1-8 up. Longford forced extra-time at 1-12 apiece with a 74thminute Robbie Smyth point. Meath roared four clear late in extratime but Michael Quinn sniped 1-1 in the dying moments. MEATH: A Colgan; S Lavin, L Moran (D O’Neill 71), M Burke; D Keogan (Toner 73), B Conlon (B Power h-t), S McEntee (S Glynn e-t); B Menton, A Flanagan; P Kennelly (J McEntee h-t), D Toner (C O’Sullivan h-t), G Reilly (J Wallace 57); B McMahon (H Rooney 73), B Brennan (M McCabe e-t), T O’Reilly (S Tobin 49). Scorers: S Tobin 1-2 (0-1f), B McMahon 0-4 (1f), B Menton, T O’Reilly, J Wallace, D O’Neill 0-2, B Conlon, D Toner, B Brennan (1f), J McEntee, M McCabe 0-1. LONGFORD: P Collum; P Fox (S Donohoe 65, Gilleran h-t e-t), P McCormack, P Foy (Gallagher h-t e-t); B McKeon (Mimnagh 80), B Gilleran (D McElligott 48), M Quinn; D Gallagher (C Barry 48), A Farrell (M Nally 65, Farrell e-t); D Mimnagh (D Quinn 65), R McEntire (J McGivney 54), D Reynolds (P Gill h-t, Reynolds e-t); S McCormack, R Smyth, R Brady (J Matthews 87). Scorers: R Smyth 1-4 (0-2f), M Quinn 1-1, S McCormack 04 (1f), D Reynolds, R Brady 0-2, R McEntire, J McGivney, D Quinn 0-1. Referee: D Sheppard (Dublin).