Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ROYALS FINISH DEVINE
Orchard storm back from nine behind but sub Ethan seals victory for home side
A game of two halves saw Meath grind out a 2-13 to 0-13 point victory over a battling Armagh team to keep their promotion bid on track.
A Mickey Newman free and fine individual scores from James Mcentee, Shane Mcentee and Darragh Campion gave the Royals a dream start – four points to no score in front within the opening five minutes.
Armagh settled as the opening half wore on but ferocious tackling and intensity from the Meath defenders left the visitors with very little for their efforts.
Armagh found their first score after 15 minutes through midfielder Stephen Sheridan but were having to work so much harder for everything out on the field.
The home side were really making the most of the strong breeze and, to their credit, were being rewarded for their huge work rate.
With 20 minutes gone things went from bad to worse for the Orchard County with a Mickey Newman goal from the penalty spot extending Meath’s lead to seven points.
Thomas O’reilly was hauled down as he closed in on goal with Newman continuing his early season form extending Meath’s lead.
Armagh were struggling with the intensity and pressing from Andy Mcentee’s side and further points from Darragh Campion, Cillian O’sullivan and a late Ben Brennan free gave Meath a half-time lead of 1-09 to 0-3.
Armagh began the second half with blistering pace outscoring Meath by seven points to one in the opening 10 minutes.
Further points from Rian O’neill, Rory Grugan and Stefan Campbell inched Armagh right back into the game.
Meath were pinned into their own half for the majority of the secondhalf and two Mickey Newman scores in the last 10 minutes of the half gave Meath just their second and third point after the interval but crucially ensured they kept the lead at three points as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
With Armagh having no choice in the closing stages but to push forward and try and take something from the game, Meath took full advantage of the gaps further back the field and ensured victory in the dying seconds with a goal from substitute Ethan Devine.
MOTM