MEATH… 0-18
WESTMEATH… 2-05
I know, I know. But the headline couldn’t be resisted. At the time of typing it was just literally confirmed to me that Rian is indeed a nephew of Brian , but, seeing a Stafford from Kilmainhamwood kicking frees on Meath team was bound to stir a soul’s emotions.
Memories. Possibilities. The greatest of days. Yes, tears were shed. However, it’s the possibilities which are the greatest boon out of a comfortable victory in their opening outing in the Leinster U-20 FC under the Ashbourne lights.
It’s a long time since the seasonal debut of a Meath team was as anticipated as that of Cathal O’Bric’s charges tonight. With good reason too, but it all counted for diddly squat when, after only nine seconds, the Lake County’s Jack Duncan cut in along the left wing of the home side’s defence and slipped the ball under Oisin McDermott.
Like all good teams though, the Royal response was both swift and remarkable. In that Meath not only registered the next 11 scores without replay, the first five thereof all garnered via the boot of Jamie Murphy from the St Patrick’s club in Stamullen.
Burgeoning senior star Brian O’Halloran, Jack Kinlough, Stafford, Cian Commons and Rian McConnell also prompted white flags without any riposte from the maroon and white. Thus O’Bric’s boys took a 0-11 to 1-00 lead under the Ashbourne stand.
Stamullen’s Murphy quickly brought up his half dozen after the restart before Damien Gavin’s side had their best spell and got back to within three points, but there was never any danger of an upset.
Stafford, Commons, wing back Killian Smith and the ever lively Hughie Corcoran all slotted over to ensure business was fairly efficiently taken care of.
SCORERS – Jamie Murphy (0-6, 3F), Rian Stafford (0-4, 1F), Cian Commons (0-3), Killian Smyth, Jack Kinlough, Rian McConnell and Hughie Corcoran (0-1 each).
MEATH – O. McDermott (Ballinlough); B. O’Halloran (Ballivor), S. O’Hare (Rathkenny), S. Byrne (Seneschalstown); E. Armstrong (Duleek/Bellewstown), J. O’Regan (Skryne), K. Smyth (Castletown); J. Kinlough (Dunboyne), C. O’Connor (Dunshaughlin); R. Stafford (Kilmainhamwood), J. Harkin (Dunboyne), C. Duke (Dunshaughlin); J. Murphy (St Patrick’s), C. Commons (Seneschalstown), R. McConnell (Castletown).
SUBS – T. Martyn (Slane) for O’Connor, C. Ennis (Ballinabrackey) for Byrne, H. Corcoran (Drumbarragh Emmets) for Harkin, J. Mannion (St Patrick’s) for Smyth, D. Curtis (Rathkenny) for Stafford.
Referee: C. McCullough (Louth)
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