SEAEN WALL
MEATH’S Jekyll and Hyde form was again on show before they eventually put feeble Clare to the sword in this NFL Division 2 tie at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
The 14-point victory leaves the Royals at the head of affairs in the table on score difference. However, they will undoubtedly face much bigger challenges in the games ahead in their quest to secure a promotion spot.
The Royals’ second-half display was in sharp contrast to that what they served up in the opening period as they turned on the style from the restart to brush aside the Clare challenge.
During that spell Padraig McKeever, from county champions Simonstown, who was having his first start at this level, took his tally of points to six, while opening-half substitute Eamon Wallace hit three points in an impressive showing.
However, this win must be put into context and Clare - who trailed 0-4 to 0-6 at half-time - produced very poor fare throughout and on this showing will be under pressure to retain their status.
The Banner men were completely devoid of ideas in attack and Jamie Malone was their only starting forward to contribute to their scoring. They failed to create anything of substance despite the prompting of midfielders Gary Brennan and Cathal O’Connor.
The Royals squandered two goal opportunities and dropped seven efforts short of the target during a low-key opening-half performance, at the end of which they led 0-6 to 0-4.
They eventually found their rhythm in the second half and seven points in a 14-minute spell had them out of sight of their opponents who struggled in most sectors of the pitch.
Graham Reilly might have had a goal within five seconds of the start after putting himself in a great position, but he lost control of the ball after collecting the throw-in from Bryan Menton. Adam Flanagan’s handling also let him down as he bore down on goal and the ball eventually trickled harmlessly wide on 11 minutes.
Despite failing to convert that early opportunity, Reilly proved Meath’s liveliest forward in the opening half, scoring three points. His pace and strong running had the Clare men on the back foot and he cut through with ease at times.
Malone shot one of Clare’s two opening-half points from play, with wing back Pearse Lillis getting the other in the first half. The visitors’ remaining scores came from keeper Killian Roche who converted a ‘45, and Gary Brennan’s pointed free left the sides level at 0-4 each on 32 minutes.
Reilly’s third point edged Meath ahead before Bryan McMahon doubled his side’s advantage in first-half added time.
Clare reduced the deficit to the minimum after Brennan raced through and blasted over within 20 seconds of the restart. However that was the visitors’ last hurrah as Meath finally achieved what they had threatened to do in the opening half. Seven successive points in a 14-minute spell had them out of sight and from there to the finish it was a matter of racking up as many scores as possible.
McKeever built on the display shown when coming on in the draw against Roscommon as he picked off some fine scores.
Another Simonstown man, Sean Tobin, hit three points after being sprung from the bench, while Eamon Wallace did his chances of starting against Cavan next Saturday evening no harm either with three points after replacing his brother Joey.
James McEntee also contributed enormously with a high workrate and three points, Conor McGill gave his most complete display to date at full back and another sub - Daniel O’Neill - also laid down strong claims for a starting spot the next day.
To add to Clare’s woes they finished with 14 after Cian O’Dea was black-carded in the closing stages for a foul on Ben Brennan after earlier receiving a yellow. MEATH: A Colgan; S Lavin, C McGill, D Keogan; B Conlon, B Power, S McEntee; B Menton, A Flanagan; J McEntee 0-3, P McKeever 0-6 (3f), G Reilly 0-4; J Wallace, C O’Sullivan, B McMahon 0-2. Subs: E Wallace 0-3 for J Wallace (32), D O’Neill