MEATH… 1-09
CORK… 3-12
Strip away the fact that no team likes losing any match – let alone after undertaking a road trip as that completed by the visitors to Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday – and, essentially, the result didn’t matter.
The poignance of the occasion remembering a unique, iconic sporting legend will be what will dwell longest in the memory. Without seeking or intending to imply anything untoward whatsoever, wasn’t it nearly obvious that the teams to which he brought such fame and glory would win the Teddy McCarthy tribute matches.
Leaving sentiment aside, though, Gaels by the Lee will doubtless have been encouraged by seeing their football and hurling teams looking so sharp with the throw-in of the 2024 season drawing ever closer.
Ironically, though, it was Colm O’Rourke’s largely experimental lineup who got down to work the faster with Aaron Lynch (three), Jack Flynn and Mat Costello all splitting the posts.
However, John Cleary’s charges soon went up through the gears as a Blake Murphy goal and points from him Chris Og Jones and Eoin McSweeney left the red and white clear by 1-07 to 0-05 at the turnaround.
The impressive Jack Flynn did net for Meath entering the final quarter but The Rebels having a few more of their A-listers – Ian Maguire, Conor Corbett (who both goaled) and Mattie Taylor – in action ran out fairly comfortable winners.
MEATH – H. Hogan; N. Murphy, M. Flood, M. Murphy; C. Caulfield, R. Jones (Capt.), S. Coffey; J. Flynn (1-1), J. Kinlough; D. McGowan, R. Kinsella, J. O’Connor; A. Lynch (0-4), M. Costello (0-2), E. Frayne (0-1).
SUBS – S. Brennan for Hogan, C. Finnegan (0-1) for McGowan, D. Moriarity for Frayne, J. O’Regan for Jones, B. O’Reilly for M. Murphy, C. Farrelly for Kinsella, A. McDonnell for Caulfield, M. Coffey from N. Murphy.
Referee – S. Mulvihill (Kerry)
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