Meath…1-10
Offaly…1-10
A goal deep into stoppage time by Ratoath’s Joey Wallace snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat for Meath and ensured they inched just a tad closer to safety in Allianz NFL Div. 2 following this arm wrestle at Bord Na Mona O’Connor Park, Tullamore.
The diminutive corner forward – who along with older brother Eamon made a telling contribution when the pair were introduced with 17 minutes remaining – has a knack of coming up with major scores when they are needed most. As Gaeil Colmcille can readily attest following Joey’s salvation of the Keegan Cup to remain in blue and gold hoops in 2020.
However, for as much as it looked like the misfiring Royals were past the point of rescue for most of the second half, they will, on the other hand, be wondering how they didn’t come away from the midlands venue with the full spoils. For the second week in a row, they failed to extract full advantage from having the blustery elements at their back.
Having trailed by the minimum – 0-05 to 0-06 – at the break, expectation would have been that the visitors would have made use of the elements to kick on and take the pair of points on offer. Good and industrious build up play, of which there was plenty, will only get you so far, but if there’s no end product, not only is there no advantage to it, but it can also sap whatever modicums of confidence may have been held in reserve.
What it couldn’t do, though, is take from the bravery and courage of this team or their belief in and willingness to work for one another. So it was with four minutes of stoppage time elapsed, Harry Hogan – one of a few breakthrough players for Meath this Spring – began a move involving Eoin Harkin, Donal Keogan, Padraic Harnan, Ronan Jones and the Wallace brothers culminated in Dunsany defender Harkin fisting an effort goalward.
The UCD player’s terrific attempt was brilliantly repelled by Faithful County custodian Paddy Dunican but, perhaps it could be said Andy McEntee’s side got a slice of luck that at times has deserted them, when the save broke kindly for poacher supreme Wallace who sent it homeward to rescue what could turn out to be a priceless point.
Meath: Harry Hogan (0-02 frees); Robin Clarke, Eoin Harkin (0-01), Jordan Muldoon; Donal Keogan (0-01), Shane McEntee, Cathal Hickey; Ronan Jones, Pádraic Harnan; Jason Scully, Thomas O’Reilly, Mathew Costello; Jordan Morris (0-04, 0-02 frees), Shane Walsh (0-01 free), Cillian O’Sullivan.
Subs: Jack O’Connor for Hickey (17), Ronan Ryan for Clarke (31), Eamon Wallace for O’Reilly (52), Joey Wallace (1-00) for O’Sullivan (53), James McEntee for Costello (68).
Referee: Fergal Kelly (An Longfort)
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