Final defeat Reilly agonising for the Royals

THE long wait for another Gerry Reilly Cup success goes on for Meath after they were edged out in a well contested final at Millbrook, Oldcastle on Sunday evening.

The Royals were attempting to bridge a 10-year gap, but their effort fell marginally short after they whittled a seven-point second-half deficit down to the minimum.

Monaghan, who adapted much better to the wet conditions, struck for two goals in the opening quarter and Meath were always fighting an uphill battle after that.

The hosts found themselves 2-2 in arrears after just 12 minutes and indeed were fortunate not to concede a third goal after Sean Jones shot wide from close range.

Jones made amends for that miss with a neat finish to the net on 11 minutes and full forward David Irwin had netted earlier for the Farney boys.

Luke Mitchell opened Meath’s account from a free on 14 minutes and he added two further points before the end of the half as Monaghan led 2-3 to 0-4 at

MONATHAN MEATH 2-8 1-10

the break.

Mitchell hit the opening score of the second half, also from a free, but Monaghan stretched their lead 2-6 to 0-5 following a trio of points from the impressive Aaron Mulligan.

Five points separated the teams when Luke Kelly ignited a Meath revival with a brilliantly taken goal on 46 minutes, but crucially Monaghan replied to that score with a point from Mulligan.

Substitute Ian Birmingham reduced the deficit on 49 minutes, but the lead was back to three after Mulligan hit his side’s final score.

Meath had momentum with them in the closing stages and had late points from Mitchell (free) and Colin Hawdon, but they were unable to force an equaliser as Monaghan held on for their first Gerry Reilly Cup win.

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