U21 B HC: Meath advance to another hurling final

August 20, 2016

Kerry' s John Buckley has his progress halted by Ross Ryan Meath during the All Ireland U21 B HC semi final in Lomans Park Trim.

Meath qualified for the All Ireland Under 21 B Hurling Championship final with this nine point victory over Kerry at St Lomans Park Trim. The Royals have claimed the Ring Cup already and also are in the All Ireland MB hurling championship final.

Meath 1-21 Kerry 1-12

Meath were full value for this victory and make a return to the stage where they lost out to Wicklow in last years decider played in Semple Stadium before the All Ireland U21 A final.

The Munster side led at the break 1-9 to 0-8. As in their quarter final win Kiltale's Jack Regan was to the fore in the scoring honours with 4 first half scores for the home side. Regan finished with twelve points while his keeper Charlie Bird performed heroics the whole hour with some outstanding saves. 

Kerry free taker Philip Lucid also hit four points. Ian Brick's charges took a four point lead in at the break thanks to a well taken goal from corner forward Jordan Conway on the stroke of half time.

Meath set about reducing that deficit with steely determination and within four minutes of the restart had the lead down to one with quick fire points from Regan (2) and Ross Ryan. 

Another brace from Regan tied the game up at 0-14 to 1-11 midway through the half and from there on it was all Meath. 

The Royals needed to get their noses in front and Luke Martyn provided the platform with a well executed goal. Gavin McGowan, Regan and Ryan added scores to open up a six point gap. Kerry came looking for goals but there was no beating Bird in goals along with some stout defending from Conor Dempsey, Liam Ferguson, Ronan Ryan and David Reilly. 

Meath finished in style with another Regan brace and sub Conor Kearney closed out the game with a great point.

Meath will meet Mayo in the All Ireland final.

Meath - C Bird; C Dempsey, I Hughes, L Ferguson; S Coloe, Ronan Ryan, D Reilly (0-1); S Quigley, S McGrath (0-1); J Regan (0-12, 10f), E MacDonnachada, S Kelly (0-2); R Moore, L Martyn (1-1), Ross Ryan (0-2). Subs: G McGowan (0-1) for R Moore, C Kearney for S Kelly, K Ryan (0-1) for E MacDonnachada, S Doyle for S Quigley.

Kerry - S Murphy; F Horgan, D Shanahan, B Lyons; J Buckley (0-1), J Diggins, C Kearney; P Lucid (0-6, 4f, 2'65), P O'Connor; J Goulding (0-1), D O'Carroll (0-1), J Brick; C Hussey (0-2), F O'Sullivan (0-1), J Conway (1-0). Subs: J Hussey for F O'Sullivan, J Wallace for D O'Carroll, R Collins for J Brick, M Flaherty for J Conway.

Referee - M Murtagh.


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