Meath… 2-13
Louth… 1-07
Any of the wisecracks calling for the culling of the pre season competitions in GAA might have to think again. Simply judging by the large attendance at Donaghmore/Ashbourne on Saturday night and the enthusiasm with which the players were going about their business.
As one would expect them to. For the likes of the Diarolyte O’Byrne Cup may be the audition aspiring future stars may have to pitch their brand for inclusion in the season’s main odyssey.
That said, in the early stages here, it was some of those with decent amounts of experience at the top level – Jack Flynn, Daithi McGowan, Aaron Lynch and Mat Costello – who produced the sweet music in attack which enabled the locals to lead by 1-05 to 1-04 at half time. The ‘Major’ coming when Lynch got on the end of a crisp, fluid passing move and shovelled the ball to the net.
Colm O’Rourke and his crew made a plethora of changes at half time and both management and those introduced can be well pleased with the contributions derived from the introduced.
Special mention must be afforded to Conor Gray, Shane Walsh and Adam McDonnell – all three of whom were returning to action after serious injuries. For the latter, it was, in fact, his senior inter county debut.
Mat Costello’s conversion of a second half penalty basically put the result beyond doubt but it was in fact his two introduced Dunshaughlin colleagues – Gray and Ruairi Kinsella – who turned most heads.
Daire Rowe (Syddan) got on plenty of ball when he got on also but was out of luck with his shooting. However, with Meath liable to experiment again in Friday’s semi final against Longford (Ashbourne, 7.30pm) he and plenty more are liable to get at least one more chance to impress.
SCORERS – M. Costello (1-3), A. Lynch (1-1), R. Kinsella (0-3), S. Coffey, A. McDonnell, J. Flynn, D. Moriarity, C. Finnegan and K. Curtis (0-1 each)
MEATH – S. Brennan; M. Flood A. O’Neill, M. Murphy; C. Caulfield, R. Jones, S. Coffey; J. Flynn, C. Hickey; D. McGowan, E. Frayne, D. Campion; A. Lynch, M. Costello, J. O’Connor.
SUBS – B. Hogan for Brennan, A. McDonnell for Caulfield, D. Keogan for Jones, D. Rowe for Lynch, R. Kinsella for Campion, C. Gray for Flynn, C. Farrelly for Coffey, S. Walsh for Costello, D. Moriarity for Frayne, C. Finnegan for O’Connor, K. Curtis for Flood.
Referee: Ian Howley (Dublin)
FOGRA: Sincere thanks as always to Donaghmore/Ashbourne for their courtesy and warm welcome. In particular, Mile Buichos to both Conor Tormey and Jimmy Walsh who went the extra mile, literally, to assist Susie and I.
FOGRA II: It was emotional, but brilliantly so, to be alongside the voice of Meath GAA, Brendan Cummins, as he returned to the airwaves with the other part of the double act, Mattie Kerrigan in tow. Adh mhor leat Brendan, behind you all the way and looking forward to you being back to full fitness soon.
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