MEATH… 1-13
CORK… 0-12
The last time this writer can recall rain of such torrential proportions falling in Pairc Tailteann was on the occasion of Colm O’Rourke’s last outing for Meath on the home sod. The first round of the Leinster SFC of 1995. Now read on…
So bad was it that day that Westmeath referee Pat Casserly actually took the players off the field half way through the first half for a spell. Why exactly Noel Mooney didn’t do likewise at the same time during the second half on Saturday last is unclear because he would’ve been wholly justified in doing so.
Anyway, after a very pedantic start, caused, you suspect, by both fides being hamstrung with anxiety, Billy Hogan eventually got Meath on the board with a well hit 45.
Thereafter was probably the decisive spell in the entire game as, after Chris Og Jones had eased John Cleary’s side into a 0-02 to 0-05 lead, a Jordan Morris goal – fashioned entirely out of his own brilliance – swung the momentum Meath’s way and in truth it never went back.
Mat Costello (two) – including one with the lesser spotted right boot – and Eoghan Frayne added points which ensured that Robbie Brennan’s men led by 1-05 to 0-05 at the half way point.
When Cork got themselves back to parity very quickly after Mooney had thrown in again, Meath must have feared that it was going to be a repeat of the Louth game when they were never able to put them away at any stage.
But to be fair to the home side, what emerged was everything that all the great Meath teams have. The defencive septet were gargantuan in dealing with the Cork storm and the climatic one.
Bryan Menton was a young head on old(ish) shoulders as he steered the green and gold vessel to calmer waters before it set sail for home.
In the guise of the classy Costello, the courageous James Conlon and the charging Sean Coffey posted inspirational scores before, fittingly, the Dunshaughlin clubman closed proceedings courtesy of a now trademark score.
Gathering possession deep in our own half of the field before weaving his way towards the hospital and pulling the breaks and driving over the insurance score with the trusty left peg. So, a little bit of history made – Meath’s first ever win in the All Ireland Series – red and white demons slayed and the ‘summer’ journey elongated for another few weeks at least.
Scorers – M. Costello (0-5), J. Morris (1-1), E. Frayne (0-3), J. Conlon (0-2), B. Hogan and S. Coffey (0-1 each).
Meath – B. Hogan; S. Lavin, S. Rafferty, R. Ryan; D. Keogan, S. Coffey, C. Caulfield; J. Flynn, B. Menton; C. Duke, R. Kinsella, M. Costello; J. Morris, J. Conlon, E. Frayne.
Subs – A. O’Neill for Flynn, C. Hickey for Duke, K. Curtis for Frayne, S. Walsh for Conlon.
Referee – Noel Mooney (Cavan).
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