Royals off to a flyer as they hand Derry defeat in Division 2 opener at Croker

January 24, 2026

Meath's Jack Flynn gets away from Conor Glass of Derry ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Meath got their Allianz Football League Division 2 campaign off to the perfect start with a 0-19 to 1-13 victory over Derry at a wet Croke Park this afternoon.

The Royals came from 1-3 to 0-1 behind after the opening quarter of an hour to lead by three come half-time before eventually winning out by the same margin.

Paul Cassidy’s goal saw Derry open up their five point advantage before Robbie Brennan’s men reeled it in thanks to scores by Eoghan Frayne, Matthew Costello (two-pointer) and Jack Flynn (0-7) being backed up by Sean Brennan’s 50-metre free in the 29th minute.

Bryan Menton shot Meath in front a minute later and Flynn’s two-pointer would send them towards a 0-11 to 1-5 advantage at the break.

Jordan Morris sailed over from beyond the arc early in the restart and Flynn’s ‘45’ had the Royals up by half a dozen before Shane McGuigan pulled back a sorely needed two-pointer for the Oak Leafers.

Cassidy also shot over from distance ahead of Matthew Downey’s point trimming the Derry deficit down to the minimum, but the Leinster side got motoring again through a Flynn two-point free and, from there, the scores of Flynn, substitute James Conlon and Ciaran Caulfield would see out the opening win for Brennan’s men at headquarters.

The day’s other encounter in Division 2 is set to see Malachy O'Rourke's Tyrone hosting newly promoted Kildare at Healy Park, Omagh at 6pm.


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