Substitute Cathal McConnell's 53rd-minute goal proved decisive as front-runners Meath defeated Kildare by 2-18 to 1-19 at Pairc Tailteann.

With New Zealand bound Padraig Fogarty on fire, the visitors - who had been playing catch-up throughout - looked the most likely winners when they finally drew level through Dave Malone's point eight minutes from the end of a riveting contest but Bective clubman McConnell delivered the decisive blow a minute later to earn the Royals a semi-final date with Wexford on June 7^th.

In an absorbing encounter played in stifling heat, Conor O'Donoghue's charges had the better of the first half and deservedly led by six points at the interval, 1-12 to 0-9.

Jason Scully's fifth-minute goal gave the Royal County a perfect early tonic, firing them onto a 1-2 to 0-1 lead. Kevin Ross and Paddy Kennelly had pointed for the winners inside the opening minute and Fogarty replied before Oldcastle clubman Scully palmed the ball to the net (he also thumped one off the crossbar moments later).

The gap was six points by the tenth minute, 1-5 to 0-2, with both the Lilywhites' points coming from inspirational former county senior Fogarty, while centre forward Ben Brennan, Sean Reilly and Daire Rowe all scored for the hosts.

The Royals stretched their advantage to seven before the visitors hit back with a run of points from Fogarty (two frees), Barry Noone and Malone; Colmcilles ace Brennan picked up an injury which ended his night firing over a terrific score and Neil Scanlon's strike ensured that just four separated the sides with five minutes left before the break, 1-8 to 0-7.

However, Meath notched four of the last six points of the half into the hospital end with team captain Roe, Stephen Coogan, Kennelly and Ross (free) all on target and Fogarty twice more raising white flags at the other end.

Ten points were shared in the third quarter as Meath maintained a commanding six-point lead going into the last quarter, 1-17 to 0-14. The losers landed the first four scores of the second half through Fogarty (2), Scanlon and Noone to close within two but Castletown man Ross made it 1-13 to 0-13 and was amongst the scorers twice more along with Coogan and Scully as the winners assumed a huge 1-18 to 0-14 lead with less than a quarter of the game left.

Kildare then hit 1-4 in a devastating five-minute spell between the 47^th and 52^nd minutes...

Fogarty (2) had already contributed eleven points before he really threw the cat amongst the pigeons with his side's goal in the 50^th minute to suddenly leave just two between the teams, 1-18 to 1-16. Incredibly, the Lilywhites were level by the 52^nd minute thanks to further points from Fogarty and Malone.

But McConnell grabbed the winner for the home side and all Kildare - who never led - could muster in response was a last-minute Eoghan Lawless point.

Meath - Johnny Lynch; Jamie Reilly, Luke Moran, Michael Flood; David Toner, Declan Smyth, Sean Reilly (0-1); Adam Flanagan, Conor Farrell; Paddy Kennelly (0-2), Ben Brennan (0-3, 1f), Stephen Coogan (0-2, 1f); Jason Scully (1-1), Daire Rowe (C) (0-3), Kevin Ross (0-5, 2fs). Subs - Cathal McConnell (1-0) for Brennan (22), Neil Shortall for Flood (ht), Niall Jones (0-1) for Flanagan (43), Paul Lynch for Coogan (50), Ciaran O'Rourke for S Reilly (52), Jamie McDonald for Scully (59).

Kildare - Declan Campbell; Niall Devane, Tom Barron, Colin O'Shea (C); Michael Stewart-Byrne, Graham Waters, Jack Setright; David Fitzpatrick, John Jennings; David Malone (0-1), Mark Nolan, Eoghan Lawless (0-1); Barry Noone (0-2), Padraig Fogarty (1-12, 7fs, 1 45), Neil Scanlon (0-3). Subs - Shane Maughan for Jennings (ht), John Merrins for Barron (ht), Chris Byrne for Fitzpatrick (50), Conor Germaine for Scanlon (50), Stefan Lawler for Nolan (60).

Referee - Barry Tiernan (Dublin)

Tweet

Most Read Stories