Meath 5-16 Offaly 0-9

Meath ended Offaly’s reign as Leinster Minor Football champions with this commanding performance in the quarter final played in ideal conditions at O’Connor Park Tullamore.

After losing their opening two games Meath have scored a massive 17-61 in their last three matches.

With both defences on top scores were hard to come by in the opening half. Captain Harry McGuirk had Meath on the scoreboard first after two minutes. Half forward Cormac McKenna doubled the visitors tally before Darragh Stewart opened Offaly’s account.

The first goal chance of the game came Offaly’s way but Meath keeper Cormac Fizsimons produced a brilliant save at the end of the opening quarter. Alex Keane's last ditch block saved another certain Offaly goal five minutes later while at the other end McGuirk saw his goal bound effort crash off the crossbar. 

Holding the homeside scoreless for 15 minutes Meath added points from Walsh (2), Tomas Dillon and Tomas Proudfoot to give them a 0-8 to 0-2 lead at the break.

Cormac Walsh added his fiftth point in the opening minute of the second half. The crossbar came to Offaly’s rescue twice again soon after when Niall Smyth and McGuirk saw goal bound efforts come back into play. Cormac McKenna extended Meath’s advantage. The home side began to gain possession around the middle sector and four points in a row from Paddy Burns (3) and Joe Furey left it 0-10 to 0-6 after 38 minutes.

Milo Stafford steadied Meath with his first score of the game from a 45. Burns kicked the games first two pointer to make it a three point game by the end of the third quarter. 

Meath didn’t panic. McGuirk raised his second white flag before the games first goal arrived courtesy of Liam O’Donoghue after the St. Colmcilles man was set up brilliantly by substitute Dara Loughran. Conn Brennan and Walsh made it 1-14 to 0-8 as the game entered the last ten minutes.

Meath finished with a flourish. Goals from St. Ultans Cortown Gaels trio Brennan, Loughran and Tomas Proudfoot along with Harris Moffat extinguished as hopes of an Offaly comeback and Meath were on their way to a semi final spot where they will face either Dublin or Louth, with the draw for that taking place on Wednesday.

Meath – Cormac Fitzsimons (O’Mahonys), Ben Browne (Simonstown Gaels), Tomas Clarke (Dunshaughlin), Niall Rogan (St. Michael’s), Liam O’Donoghue 1-0 (St. Colmcille’s), John Killoran (Na Fianna), Niall Smyth (Skryne), Tomas Proudfoot 1-1 (St. Ultan’s), Cormac McKenna 0-2 (Wolfe Tones), Conn Brennan 1-1 (St. Ultan’s), Harry McGuirk 0-2 (O’Mahonys, Capt.), Alex Keane (Dunshaughlin), Cormac Walsh 0-6 (Trim), Milo Stafford 0-1 (Kilmainhamwood), Tómas Dillon 0-1 (Syddan).

Subs: Harry Keating (Cortown) for Killoran, Dara Loughran 1-1 (Cortown) for Dillon, Harris Moffat 1-0 (Skryne) for Walsh, Caolan Comey 0-1 (Summerhill) for Stafford, Leo Kavanagh (Moynalty) for O'Donoghue.

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