MEATH…2-11
OFFALY…1-15
Before the availability of online betting and the onset of Covid-19, it was part of the daily routine for whatever wheels were transporting me at the time to roll up the town and I’d stick on my Lucky 15 or whatever other multiple took my fancy on a given day. Well, there’s a bit of a misnomer there because, with hieroglyphics more legible than my handwriting, it was a matter of getting some kind soul in situ to do it for me.
More often than not, it was the late Jack Deens who would do the good deed and he gave me two bits of advise which stuck with me and, largely, stood me in good stead ever since. Firstly, to do multiple bets – Lucky 15s, 31s or 63s – as there was more money to be made from a smaller stake. And secondly that if your first bet in a multiple wins, they either all win or you won’t have another winner for the day.
The latter part of that can be adjusted and paraphrased a bit to suit any sporting setup which is why it’s here. Allow me to explain. Traditionally, Meath teams made an artform of and were famous for coming back from what to most would’ve been impossible quandries. With the result that seeing them in early leads was alien and dangerous!
Unfortunately, the old hex hit again for the U-20 footballers on Wednesday night in Asbourne against Offaly. Now, technically, it may have been a ‘dead rubber’ with the visitors already out and our lads safely through. But I am a firm believer that every game means something.
In this case, with Meath manager Cathal O’Bric putting out a completely fresh 15 from that which played the first two matches, it opened the door for other lads to make their case for being higher up the pecking by the time the evening was out.
To that end, those under audition could scarcely have asked for a better start. Midfielder Sam Betson and full forward Cian Duggan combining to put Evan Kelly in to rattle the net on his home ground.
One thing that has always been a trademark of an O’Bric teams has been the promulgation of what can be best described as total football. In other words, from one to 15 have licence to and indeed are expected to play football with what could be described as structured freedom.
In other words, from the goalie out, players are encouraged to push up the field at every opportunity. Likewise, forwards were expected to be the first line of defence.
That might explain how the diminutive but dashing Cillian Yore fetching the kickout immediately thereafter and engaging in tremendous link up play with the industrious Duggan before raising a second green flag inside 90 seconds.
Eventually, the classy looking Kaelem Bryan brought the tricolour county to the party. And, even though Zach Thornton and Pat Crawley and Conor O’Brien kept local noses in front, the manner in which Bryan, David O’Rourke and Dara Bates kept those in pursuit ominously within reach.
Even more so when they reached parity immediately after the restart. Yet, to be fair to the young Royals, through scores from Crawley, Duggan, Kelly, Aidan Mackey, Sean Betson and the introduced Cormac Liggan, Meath managed to keep their noses in front.
Not by enough though. As the long heralded perils of the point lead came back to bite Meath in the ass. In the guise of a Brian Carroll goal with quite literally the last play of the game.
Essentially, of course, it was a case of no harm being done in an overall sense for the vanquished here. Aside, that is, from the inclination that, where you have a team with the winning habit you don’t want them losing it. However, as tends to be the necessity for yours truly, one must draw on whatever slivers of positivity can be derived from a given situation.
In this instance, that means the fact that players such as Yore (in particular), Fiach Hartigan, Mackey, Betson, O’Brien, Duggan and Kelly all canvassed the case well for their promotion to the ‘main’ 26 at the very least.
Scorers – E. Kelly (1-1), C. Yore (1-0), P. Crawley (0-3, 2F), C. O’Brien (0-2), A. Mackey, S. Betson, Z. Thornton, C. Duggan and C. Liggan (0-1 each).
Meath – Braydon Colfer (Slane); Cillian Yore (St Ultan’s), Fiach Hartigan (Dunshaughlin), Seimi Byrne (Seneschalstown); Aidan Mackey (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), James Reeves (Skryne), Oisin Brennan (St Colmcille’s); Harry Cahill (Dunsany), Sean Betson (Navan O’Mahonys); Conor O’Brien (St Vincent’s), Zach Thornton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne, (Capt)), Ivo Fitzherbert (Navan O’Mahonys); Pat Crawley (Oldcastle), Cian Duggan (St Peter’s, Dunboyne), Evan Kelly (Donaghmore/Ashbourne).
Subs – Eoin Drysdale (Ratoath) for Byrne, Michael O’Sullivan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) for Thornton, Aaron Farrelly (Simonstown Gaels) for Cahill, Cormac Liggan (Dunderry) Mackey, John Gormley (Gaeil Colmcille) for Betson.
Referee – Enda Kelly (Westmeath).
Leave a Reply