Mitchell fires Royals to victory

MEATH found their form again just in time in the closing stages to book their place in the All-I rel and MFC semi-final at the expense of Derry on Saturday evening in Armagh.

A Luke Mitchell free in the opening attack of the second half left the Royals 10 points in front and they looked set to canter to victory. Derry though produced a storming comeback, hitting 1-6 without reply to leave the outcome up for grabs.

Me a th hadn’ t scored for 25 minutes but they showed great character to land the last four points of the contest with top scorer Mitchell claiming three of those.

Derry played a lot better in the second half with the duo of Con le th McGuckian and Enda Downey responsible for all bar one of their points on the day.

McGuckian converted a 52ndminute penalty but just when they looked to have all the momentum Meath closed out the contest in style.

SCORERS – Meath: L Mitchell 1-6 (5f); D Swaine, L Kelly 0-2 each; A Reilly, C McBride, M Costello, B McCormack, D Bell 0-1 each. Derry: C McGuckian 1-4 (3f, 1-0 pen); E Downey 0-5 (1f, 1 ‘45); N Doyle 0-1.

MEATH – S Brennan; J O’Hare, H O’Higgins, C Hickey; C Farrelly, S Coffey, O McCloskey; A Reilly, C McBride; D Swaine, M Costello, B McCormack; D Bell, L Kelly, L Mitchell. Subs: C Hawdon for McCormack, L Newe for McCloskey, K Price for O’Higgins (BC), N Bennett for Swaine, J Moore for Kelly. DERRY – A Gillen; R McFaul, A McCluskey, E McKeever; J Duggan, J McErlain, A Canavan; N Doyle, I Donaghy; E McElhennon, E Downey, E Doherty; E Hawe, C McGuckian, C Milne. Subs: PJ McAleese for Dougan, S Kearney for Canavan, C McAteer for Hawe, D Mooney for McElhennon, R Lee for McGuckian (BC).

REF – L Devenney (Mayo)