Clare shock Meath in cagey contest

CLARE dug deep to out-battle Meath in Cusack Park last night and make it into the last 12 of the All-Ireland football championship.

Colm Collins’ side held on against the visitors, who made six changes before throw-in after Covid had ripped through their squad.

The Banner side raced into a

1-3 to 0-0 lead by the 18th minute, Peader Lillis with the goal. Thomas O’Reilly finally got the Royals off the mark in the 19th minute, and by half-time they had steadied the ship to trail 1-7 to 0-6.

Joey Wallace made an immediate impact from the bench by winning a penalty early in the second half, which Conor McGill converted and, thereafter, it was nip and tuck, with Bryan McMahon even putting Meath ahead in the 52th minute. However, Clare kicked for home, despite Harry Hogan saving a late David Tubridy penalty, and Manus Doherty sealed a famous win.

Cork withstood a stubborn Louth challenge in a dogfight at Pairc Uí Chaoimh. John Cleary’s Rebel side eventually had four points to spare, 2-12 to 2-8, but it was a hard-earned win as Mickey Harte’s side proved hard to break down. Goals from Brian Hurley and Colm O’Callaghan in the second half of a drab affair were enough to ensure Cork will be in the hat for the qualifier draw.

But the Wee County kept themselves in it, with Liam Jackson claiming a 17th-minute goal.

Meanwhile, Offaly booked a trip to Croke Park as they brushed aside New York in the Tailteann Cup quarter-final. It was the

Exiles’ first game on Irish soil in more than 20 years, but they were no match for the home side in Tullamore, who won 3-17 to 0-11, Keith O’Neill, Anton Sullivan and Cathal Flynn with the goals.