Leinster MFC: Royals edge close local derby encounter
May 16, 2015
Meath captain Thomas O'Reilly with Alan O'Connor Louth during the Leinster MFC quarter final at Drogheda.
MEATH 0-12
LOUTH 0-11
Meath edged past Louth and into the semi-final of the Leinster Minor Championship after overcoming Louth in a closely contested game at Drogheda on Saturday afternoon.
In a game where there was very little between the teams throughout the hour, it was the brighter start made by the Royal County that proved crucial in the end.
Despite playing against the strong breeze in the opening half, Meath settled quickest and inspired by Padraig McGowan, they raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside the first quarter.
The Slane man grabbed three of those points with David McEntee scoring the other from a free as Meath responded to a second minute opener from Louth's Tadhg McEneaney.
It was to turn out to be a vital period of the game as despite the Wee County raising their game, they were never able to get their noses in front, but will consider themselves unfortunate to have claimed at least a draw.
In the second quarter, Meath maintained that advantage with scores from McGowan, Thomas O'Reilly and Caolach Halligan in reply to efforts from McEneaney (2) and Ross Nally, although the hosts missed a number of opportunities.
It took a great save by Feargal Sheeky from a Ronan Jones shot to keep his side in contention, and Louth were given another boost just before the break when Nally fired over to reduce the gap to 0-7 to 0-5 at the break.
Within a minute of the restart the deficit was down to one point thanks to a Dion Conlon effort. Louth continued dominate the game but failed to avail of chances from Ciaran Downey, McEneaney and Nally.
Substitute Sam Mulroy did get them back on terms in the 10th minute of the half but his side failed to get in front at that crucial stage and it was Meath who regained the initiative with points from Thomas O'Reilly and Brian Conlon to make it 0-9 to 0-7 on 43 minutes.
McEneaney pulled one back for Louth but Meath looked to be on course for victory when James McKeown and O'Reilly pointed to make it 0-11 to 0-8.
However, Louth were not finished and replied through Conlon and McEneaney to cut the gap to one with six minutes left.
McKeown then landed another for Meath before Louth hit back yet again through Mulroy. Although Louth pushed hard for the equaliser, some good defending by Meath ensured they Royals held out for victory.
MEATH: Jordan Browne; Danny Quinn, Daniel O'Neill, Conor Harnan; Thomas McGuinness, Iarla Hughes, Ronan Ryan; Ronan Jones, Conor Nash; Eamon O Donnchadha, Thomas O'Reilly 0-3, Ross Ryan; Padraig McGowan 0-4, Caolach Halligan 0-1, David McEntee 0-1. Subs: James McKeown 0-2 for E O Donnchadha, Ben Hoey for R Ryan, Brian Conlon 0-1 for C Halligan, Darragh Lynch for D McEntee, Anthony Nevin for C Nash..
LOUTH: Feargal Sheeky; Kevin Carr, Alan Dunne, Hugh Osborne; Paddy Hanlon, Adam O'Connor, Niall Sharkey; Matthew Corcoran, Ryan Ward; Paul Matthews, Dion Conlon 0-2; Ross Nally 0-2; Daire McConnon, Tadhg McEneaney 0-5, Cian Callan. Subs: Ciaran Downey for H Osborne, Sam Mulroy 0-2 for D McConnon, Brendan Matthews for P Matthews, Ryan Rooney for P Hanlon.
