Sweeney shines as Tipp trim Meath
TIPPERARY 2-15 MEATH 1-10
TIPPERARY bounced back from their loss to Clare to secure their second Division 2 win of the campaign as they consigned visiting Meath to their second defeat.
The hosts never trailed in the opening half and produced a superb second quarter to open up a 1-8 to 0-5 interval lead.
They enjoyed a good start and led by 0-3 to 0-1 after five minutes as Josh Keane, Liam McGrath and Conor Sweeney kicked some impressive points.
Meath did get back to parity, 0-4 apiece, with Sean Tobin kicking over a good point but the Premier County side took control and when Liam Casey shot over, they were 0-8 to 0-4 ahead on the half hour.
It would get worse for Meath with Josh Keane and Sweeney involved in the move that set up Michael Quinlivan for the game’s opening goal.
Pádraig McKeever, James McEntee and Graham Reilly combined to get deficit down to a goal on 38 minutes, but Tipp hit back with Bill Maher racing in from the left flank before drilling the ball low to the net.
Sweeney added two more points (one free) to leave Liam Kearns’ men ahead by 2-10 to 0-8 after 50 minutes.
A Brian Menton goal gave Meath supporters a glimmer of hope but it quickly evaporated when Steven O’Brien intercepted a ball in midfield and soloed through and shot over.