Meath ........ 1-12

Offaly ......... 0-12

Cian McBride's first minute goal was the difference as Meath held off a spirited Offaly in this exciting Leinster Under 20 football quarter-final at Pairc Tailteann on Tuesday night. To view photos from this game click here

The match was played in ideal conditions and but for some staunch defending Offaly might have snatched a late leveling goal in stoppage time, that went on for over seven minutes, at the end of the game.

This gripping finale enthralled supporters from both sides. Offaly weren't helped by a tally of 11 wides to Meath's eight. 

Meath had a greater spread of scorers, nine to Offaly's four.

Midway through the second-half, Offaly's best goal chance arrived when Nathan Poland placed Cian Johnson who palmed wide. 

Cian Farrell posted seven points (five frees) for Offaly. HIs 33rd minute free levelled matters for the only time, 1-5 to 0-8. 

Barry Callaghan's charges responded with four scores on the spin. Farrell's accuracy kept Offaly in contention while Meath also passed up some scoring chances that might have settled matters sooner. 

A two-point deficit was as good as it got for Offaly before Meath sub Danny Dixon wrapped up the scoring in the fourth minute of added time. There was still time for Offaly to force extra time but another sub Sean Bannon pulled off a fine fetch while Cian McBride was sent off on receipt of a second yellow card with time almost up. 

Meath registered half of their first-half tally in the opening 90 seconds. Midfielder McBride netted from close range in the first minute. Then John Keane pointed.

The sides shared six scores in the first 18 minutes, 1-2 to 0-3, before Meath moved five clear in the 25th minute when midfielder Liam Byrne landed a 45 at the old swimming pool end. 

Offaly were the more wasteful side in the first 30 minutes, clocking up seven wides to Meath's four. 

However, Offaly closed the half promisingly, posting four points on the spin.from as many players with Jack Bryant, Jack O'Brien, John O'Toole-Greene and Cian Farrell (free). The latter score coming in the sixth minute of added time leaving the hosts ahead by the minimum, 1-5 to 0-7, at the break..

Meath - A Beakey; S Ryan, R Clarke, C Hickey; E Harkin, J Keane (0-1), O Martyn; L Byrne (0-2, 1f, 1'45), C Swaine; C McBride (1-0), M Costello (0-1), C Ahearne (0-1); J Morris (0-1), D McGowan (0-3), L Mitchell (0-2). Subs: D Dixon (0-1) for C Swaine, S Bannon for O Martyn, A Lynch for L Mitchell, C Finnegan for J Morris, D Nolan for C Ahearne.

Offaly - J Cullinan; A Bolger, A Bracken, C Keena; C Donnelly, E Bennett, J O’Brien (0-1); J McEvoy, C Donoghue; S Farrell, C Farrell (0-7, 5f), S O’Toole Greene (0-1); C Johnson (0-1), J Bryant (0-1), K McDermott. Subs: N Poland (0-1) for J Bryant, D Wyer for J McEvoy, E Dunne for S O’Toole Greene, M Cunningham for K McDermott, O Murphy for D Wyer (BC), K Dolan for A Bracken.

Referee - J Hickey.

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