It's always tough when we play Fermanagh. The last time the two counties met was in the National Football League Division 3 on the 7th April 2013. Meath clinched a place in the final but not before a scare from the Ulstermen at Pairc Tailteann. It may be only three years ago but amazingly there are only five Meath players remaining from the 19 used that day in Navan.

Meath .......... 2-12
Fermanagh ...... 0-14

Meath clinched a FL Division 3 final meeting with Monaghan after a thrilling home win over Fermanagh at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

The sides shared 28 scores in a contest that had the crowd hooked until Meath substitute Paddy Gilsenan posted the insurance point in the 70th minute. In addition the Royals regain Division 2 status, lost 12 months ago.

That score left Fermanagh - who only needed a draw to make the final - requiring two scores in the minute of stoppage time allowed. While Gilsenan's point copper fastened the outcome, the game's turning point arrived 26 minutes earlier.

Meath 'keeper Paddy O'Rourke atoned for his foul on Paul Ward by saving Thomas Corrigan's subsequent penalty as well as the Fermanagh number 14's follow-up.

A goal would have left Fermanagh 1-10 to 1-6 to the good. Instead Meath outscored the visitors by 1-6 to 0-4 in the time remaining.

Michael Newman took the scoring plaudits with 1-5, including some quality efforts from placed balls. His 28th minute penalty goal being an example. Thomas Corrigan matched his tally with 0-8 and his scores from frees kept Peter Canavan's charges in contention.

Fermanagh led by 0-11 to 1-7 heading into the final quarter before a Graham Reilly point from distance levelled matters for the seventh and final time.

Within 13 minutes of his introduction Gilsenan netted at the hospital end with assistance from Newman and Brian Farrell. The latter provided the assist for Stephen Bray's third point that left four in it, 2-10 to 0-12, after 62 minutes.

Fermanagh came into the game as table toppers with Meath in third place and needing a win to clinch a final place at the expense of the Erne County.

Meath started better than the visitors and opened the scoring through the pacy Eamon Wallace in the third minute.

The Royals cause wasn't helped by four wides at the town end in the opening ten minutes. In addition Graham Reilly's goal attempt was kept out by the feet of Fermanagh 'keeper Chris Snow. Two points in quick succession from Fermanagh's Ryan Jones left it 0-3 to 0-1 to the Ulster side.

Tommy McElroy's goal attempt was saved by the feet of Meath 'keeper Paddy O'Rourke. The home side responded to that let off with points from Michael Newman (free) and Stephen Bray to level matters for the second time.

As some of the home support were expression frustration at Meath's display, Peter Cananvan's charges reeled off four points in a row to lead by 0-7 to 0-3 after 23 minutes.

Meath upped a gear but Peader Byrne was narrowly wide with a goal attempt. A fine Bray point with assistance from Davy Dalton improved matters for the hosts.

A fine move started by team captain Kevin Reilly ended with Peader Byrne being fouled by Mattie McGrath.

Newman slotted the subsequent penalty to the Fermanagh net off Snow's right-hand-post and the scores were locked for the third time, 1-4 to 0-7, with 28 minutes gone.

A Corrigan free put Fermanagh back in front. Meath might have had a second goal but Newman's close range effort was deflected brilliantly over his own bar by visitors' skipper Ryan McCluskey. The scores were tied 1-5 to 0-8 at the break.

Scorers : Meath - Michael Newman 1-5 (0-4s); Paddy Gilsenan 1-1; Stephen Bray 0-3; Graham Reilly 0-2; Eamonn Wallace 0-1 each

Scorers: Fermanagh - Thomas Corrigan 0-8 (6fs), Ryan Jones, Tommy McElroy 0-2 each; Paul Ward, Ryan McCluskey 0-1 each.

Meath - Paddy O'Rourke; Donal Keogan, Brian Menton, Caolan Young; Ciaran Lenihan, Kevin Reilly, Davy Dalton; Brian Meade, Conor Gillespie; David Larkin, Graham Reilly, Peadar Byrne; Eamonn Wallace, Stephen Bray, Michael Newman. Subs - Paddy Gilsenan for Larkin (48), Sean Curran for Young (54), Brian Farrell for Wallace (57), Joe Sheridan for Byrne (61).

Fermanagh - Chris Snow; Ryan McCluskey, Anthony McGuinness, John Woods; Marty O'Brien, Brian Cox, Declan McCusker; Ryan Jones, Martin McGrath; Tommy McElroy, Shane McCabe, Damien Kelly; Paul Ward, Thomas Corrigan, Shane Lyons. Subs - Barry Owens for McGrath, Conor Quigley for Kelly (both 59), Daniel Kille for Ward (63), Daryl Keenan for McCluskey (66.

Referee - Padraig O'Sullivan (Kerry).

Tweet

Most Read Stories