Meath continue their fine run of form with an easy victory over off-form Cork
DIVISION 2 leaders Meath earned their third win as a second-half blitz saw them move clear of Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.
Leading by a point, 0-6 to 0-5, at half-time, the Royals shared the first two points of the second half with their hosts, but an unanswered 14 between the 43rd and 54th minutes put Andy McEntee’s side into a commanding position that wouldn’t be ceded.
After a fine Thomas O’Reilly point, full-forward Michael Newman got his fourth of the game and the impressive Cillian O’Sullivan got on the scoresheet before he was involved – with Shane McEntee and Bryan McMahon – in a lovely move that ended with Gavin McCoy palming home to mark his first competitive start with a goal.
The Rebels were secondbest for much of the first half and trailed by four points at two different stages, but three unanswered points between the half-four mark and halftime meant that they trailed by just one at the break.
Good points from Bryan Menton and Ben Brennan as well as a trio of Michael Newman frees meant that the Royals held a 0-5 to 0-1 advantage after 19 minutes, Ruairí Deane with the sole Cork response.
Though Michael Hurley doubled Cork’s tally with a well-taken point from Kevin Crowley’s crossfield pass, Brennan’s second for Meath restored their four-point advantage on 24 and there was little to suggest that that would be their last score until the second period.
In between, Cork had points from Conor Dennehy and Luke Connolly (two), but Meath wasted a great goal opportunity in injury time as Cillian O’Sullivan’s pass afforded Bryan McMahon a shot but he hit the side-netting.
As well as losing Brennan to injury before the break, Meath also lost Menton to a black card but the reduction in manpower didn’t stop them moving two ahead on the resumption, sub Graham Reilly scoring.
Michael Hurley replied, but Meath took over thereafter. While Cork sub Seán Powter ended 27 scoreless minutes with a goal and two Mark Collins frees brought them back to four points, Meath replacement Barry Dardis struck for a second goal at the death.