NHL Div 2B: Round 3: Final quarter flourish seals win for Meath
February 19, 2023
Meath keeper Charlie Ennis makes a great save from a Declan Coulter (Donegal) shot as Richie Ryan looks on during the Division 2B HL clash at Pairc Tailteann
Meath made it three wins from three at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday when digging out a hard earned over Donegal. PHOTOS
Meath ……….. 1-23
Donegal ……… 0-16
Meath were never headed but Seoirse Bulfin’s side were severely tested by a team also on the quest of a third win in the campaign.
Heading into the final quarter Meath were just three points to the good and might have been in arrears had Donegal been more efficient in front of the posts.
As in their previous home win, over Wicklow, Meath finished with a flourish. This time they outscored the visitors by 1-5 to 0-1 in the latter stages.
The only goal arrived in the first minute of added time when sub Jamie Leavy netted after another replacement Jack Regan had his attempt blocked.
While Padraig O’Hanrahan was again the top marksman for Meath, with 0-11, he was outscored by this team mates. Seven of his team mates, including two subs, were on the score sheet for Seoirse Bulfin’s side.
Meath led by five points on three occasions in the opening half. That lead was up to six twice including a 0-14 to 0-8 interval advantage.
It was difficult to discern what advantage the elements offered. Within a minute of the restart Pa Ryan’s solo effort moved Meath seven points clear.
As the third quarter wore on, Donegal gradually eroded the deficit with midfielder Declan Qualter leading his side’s scoring charge.
Goalkeeper Charlie Ennis made some important interventions but Meath’s strength on the bench proved useful with Regan and Paddy Barnwell making important contributions.
Eamon O Donnchadha capped another impressive display with five points from play.
A setback for Donegal, but not the end of their promotion bid. Meanwhile, Meath’s appetite for graft can minimise the impact of mistakes that continue to be make.
Scorers: Meath - Padraic O'Hanrahan 0-11 (10fs); Eamon O Donnchadha 0-5; Jamie Leavy 1-0; Nicky Potterton 0-2; James Toher 0-1; James Kelly 0-1; Paddy Barnwell 0-1; Pa Ryan 0-1; Simon Ennis 0-1
Donegal - Declan Coulter 0-8 (5fs, 1 65); Liam McKinney 0-2; Gavin Browne 0-1; Ronan McDermott 0-1; Ruairi Campbell 0-1; Ritchie Ryan 0-1; Daire O Maoileidigh 0-1; Gerry Gilmore 0-1;
Meath - Charlie Ennis; Stephen Morris, Mickey Burke, Brendan McKeon; Damien Healy, James Toher, James Kelly; Pa Ryan, Martin Healy; Sean Quigley, Simon Ennis, Niall McLarnon; Nicky Potterton, Eamon Og O Donnchadha, Padraig O'Hanrahan. Subs - Jack Regan for Toher (bs 24-25), Regan for Burke (ht), Paddy Barnwell for Quigley (44), Mikey Cole for McLarnon (58), Joey Cole for Potterton (67), Jamie Leavy for Kelly (68).
Donegal - Luke White; Stephen McBride, Michael Donaghue, Padraig Doherty; Gavin Browne, Jack O'Loughlin, Brian McIntyre; Conor Gartland, Declan Coulter; Liam McKinney, Ronan McDermott, Gerry Gilmore; Ruairi Campbell, Ritchie Ryan, Daire O Maoileidigh. Subs - Bernard Lafferty for Ryan (53), Ryan Hifferty for Coulter (65).
Referee - Kevin Jordan (Tipperary)
