Goals win the day as young Royals off to a fine start

MEATH… 4-10

WESTMEATH… 0-10

Sport – the emotional rollcoaster that makes life worth living. Until it virtually becomes the definition of life itself. Thus, the highs propel spirits to such levels that the moon could roll out the red carpet.

Conversely however, the lows hammer to such an extent that an elevator would be required to even reach underground.

It’s said a week is a long time in politics but for anybody who really, truly has the best interests of Meath football at heart and not just dispensing lip service, a four hour period felt like four months.

No, I am not about to comment on certain issues. And anybody that would think the stance on same would be any way different is either clueless or heartless.

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No, instead inclination is to focus on what in itself was an emotional whirlwind for entirely different reasons. But that  didn’t make it any less shuddering to deal with.

You know you’re getting old when your best friend – with whom your life has been interwoven to a level not many would understand since ye were 10 and 11 – not only has a young lad old enough to play Minor football but the gifted, admirable youngster has made the cut for the county panel.

But so it was as Charlie Gallagher lined out at centre field as Meath got their 2025 campaign in the grade underway at Pairc Tailteann against Westmeath. Christ. It doesn’t seem like all that long ago since the same queazy excitement abounded when David made his own debut in goal against Longford. Scarily, it’s all of 28 years ago.

To say the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree would be akin to observing that JFK being shot was headline news. Though the shooting is considerably straighter, his father’s ‘agricultural’ tackling methodology may have remained in the mix!

Though to be honest, such is the physique of the young man, him tackling anybody is going to look awkward at best. Anyway, whatever about any of that, the genes of classy football have most definitely stayed in the mix.

Charlie being responsible for three of the home sides early scores, before a cracking goal from Adam McEvoy of Navan O’Mahonys and some wonderful points from team captain Eoghan McBrearty and the outstanding Nathan Reilly of Simonstown Gaels saw Joe Cowley’s side go in with a 1-09 to 0-02 half time buffer.

However, this fact requires the asterisk that the home side were after playing with the aid of a considerable breeze and even having been facing into same, Westmeath’s Will Scahill was classy enough to suggest he would be more the handful with the wind at his back.

Still, Meath went in with a 1-09 to 0-02 lead and, while the spirited Scahill did edge the maroon and white a bit closer for a time in the second half, a sumptuous finish from Reilly, two further goals (one pen) from Robbie Johnson and some magnificent link play by Dunsany’s Stephen Cahill set up a late flurry of points which ensured the locals repeated their victory of last year and can justifiably look forward to tackling Kildare with quiet confidence.

Scorers – N. Reilly (1-5), R. Johnson (2-0), C. Gallagher (0-3), A. McEvoy (1-0),E. McBrearty and S. Cahill (0-1 each).

Meath – Kian Campbell (Clonard); Charlie O’Connor (Trim), Conall O’Sullivan (St Michael’s), Glen Callaghan (Duleek/Bellewstown); Tadhg Foley (Trim), Eoghan McBrearty (St Colmcille’s, Capt.), Niall Lawless (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Declan Byrne (Summerhill), Charlie Gallagher (St Peter’s, Dunboyne); Will Byrne (Simonstown Gaels), Cillian Murphy (St Colmcille’s), Jeff Foley (Dunshaughlin); Adam McEvoy (Navan O’Mahonys), Stephen Cahill (Dunsany), Nathan Reilly (Simonstown Gaels).

Subs – Robbie Johnson (Dunsany) for J. Foley, Max Condon (Simonstown Gaels) for T. Foley, Sean Smyth (Skryne) for Byrne, Luke Kenny (Ballivor) for McEvoy, Sean Delaney (St Peter’s, Dunboyne) for Kenny.

Referee – Dan Stynes (Dublin)