Meath 3-11 Offaly 2-18

A third quarter surge proved crucial for Offaly as they overcame a stern test from Meath in this Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship Phase 2 round 2 clash played in bitterly cold conditions at Kildalkey.

Kyle Ennis had the homie side on the scoreboard first before the visitors hit three in a row through Mark Mulrooney, Patrick Lyons and Odhran Fletcher. Offaly were 0-5 to 0-3 in front before they were in for the games first goal courtesy of Liam O’Riordan. Meath hit back immediately with an Ennis goal and a third from Louis McIvor. The sides went in level at the break 1-7 each.

Offaly totally dominated the third quarter. Five unanswered points from O’Riordan (2), Fletcher (2) and Gearoid Maher was followed by a Lyons goal and the Faithful were in control.

The game turned in Meath’s favour when influential midfielder Ajay Cleary was black carded after a foul in the square on Patrick Jordan. McIvor stepped up for the penalty and gave Offaly keeper Matt Watkins no chance. Minutes later Darren O’Higgins set up Jordan for goal number 3 to leave four points in it.

A McIvor brace had the lead down to three as the game entered the home stretch. Sean Carey steadied Offaly with a wonderful point and despite another brace from McIvor the faithful held on for a four point win. 

Offaly: Matt Watkins; Sean Og Foley, Joey McLoughlin, Caelum Larkin; Andrew Hogan 0-3, James O'Sullivan, Harry Sweeney; Sean Carey 0-1, Ajay Cleary; Mark Mulrooney 0-1, Liam O'Riordan 1-2, Gearoid Maher 0-1; Odhran Fletcher 0-8, Patrick Lyons 1-1, Conor Egan. Subs: Darragh Scully 0-1, Brian Guinan, James Hennessy.

Meath: Conor Cummins; Brian Stagg, Adam O'Donoghue, Alex Fox; Anthony Healy, Jack McKeown, Fergal Flynn; Finn Conroy, Edward Dunne; Louis McIvor 1-8, Mark Leavy, Cathal Barron; Darren O'Higgins 0-1, Kyle Ennis 1-1, Patrick Jordan 1-1. Subs: Joey Christie, Luca Taheny, Callum Buckley

Referee: Dean Alford

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