Super sub Morris fires Meath to tight victory

MEATH 2-11 KILDARE 1-13 Two goals in a five-minute spell at the end of the third quarter proved decisive as Meath recorded their second win in the Leinster U-20 FC at Páirc Tailteann.

Midfielder Darragh Campion struck for the opening goal to edge his side into the lead for only the second time.

Then substitute Jordan Morris, who was introduced just minutes earlier, found the net with a low drive to leave the hosts leading 2-10 to 0-11.

Kildare responded to the challenge and when Jimmy Hyland netted on 53 minutes it left them just a point in arrears.

Morris then doubled Meath’s advantage with a fine long-range effort before Brian McLoughlin pointed his third free of the half on 56 minutes. There were five added minutes but Kildare were unable to force an equaliser and Meath held out for victory.

Hyland was in fine form in the Kildare attack throughout as the visitors opened up a 0-6 to 0-3 lead by the 19th minute.

However, Meath fought back with Frank O’Reilly shooting the equalising point before edging his side in front.

Kildare eventually hit back to lead 0-9 to 0-8 at the break.

SCORERS – Meath: J Conlon 0-4; D Campion, J Morris 1-1 each; F O’Reilly 0-3 (2fs); S Reilly, C Moriarty 0-1 each. Kildare: J Hyland 1-3 (0-2f); B McLoughlin 0-4 (3f); P Woodgate 0-2; R O Giollan, D Marnell, T Archbold, S Doran 0-1. MEATH – A McDermott; R Clarke, C Harnan, K Slavin; S Reilly, E O’Kelly Lynch, S Ryan; D Campion, A |Murphy; E Smyth, E Devine, F O’Reilly; C Moriarty, C O’Byrne, J Conlon. Subs: J Scully for Moriarty (h-t), J Morris for O’Byrne (36), A Kealy for Reilly (40), D Gibney for Murphy (53), S McDonnell for O’Reilly (55), J Cassidy for Smyth (61).

KILDARE – A O’Neill; DJ Earley, J Barrett, M Dempsey; M Barrett, J Gibbons, R O Giollan; A Masterson, D Marnell; B McLoughlin, S Doran, T Archbold; J Hyland, P Woodgate, D Ryan. Subs: P Nash for Doran, C Costigan for Barrett (both 36), S O’Sullivan for Marnell (43), S Comerford for O Giollan, N Murphy for Woodgate (both 51).

REF – P Maguire (Longford).