MEATH…1-20
DERRY…1-18
It might surprise some people to know that the phenom of players lining out for more than one county is not as rare as might be thought. Now read on…
How far back do you want to go? To Dessie Ferguson playing with Dublin and Meath, or Joey Tormey doing likewise? Or Eddie Mahon playing with both Meath and Wexford. Stefan Whyte moved from Monaghan to Louth. Possibly the most famous relocation of all – Shea Fahy and Larry Tompkins – from Kildare to Cork.
Now, while the following cannot be confirmed 100% it can probably be fairly safely assumed that Gavin King played underage hurling with Dublin before throwing his lot in with the Meath lads.
What needs no further investigation are his class and versatility. Given that he was/is a classy corner forward on the Na Fianna (Mobhi Road) team that captured the All Ireland Club SHC last year, but has now made his bow between the posts for the Royal County.
No doubt the question could – and should – be asked as to where players such as Colm O’Riordan, Charlie Ennis and Shane McGann are, but that’s a tale for another day.
As it happens, the new recruit has excelled since taking over in goal. Not only in the rudiments of the ‘day job’ but, as is becoming as common in hurling as it is in the bigger ball game, venturing out as an auxiliary attacker.
Now, the Meath stopper hasn’t quite hit the heights of Waterford’s Billy Nolan, yet, with the Na Deise man regularly launching long distance rocket scores from open play.
Be that as it may, King’s status within the Meath group has been rising exponentially. The crescendo of which to date came on Sunday last, when the converted custodian to drive over a 67th minute free which put the home side ahead for the first time in the game.
But, that it took until there were only three minutes left for the locals to hit the front tells you there’s a lot of blanks to fill in between. So here goes. In the early stages, the sides were fairly evenly matched with custodian King, Lorcan Byrne and Mark Levey among the scores for Meath as two famous Derry names (Shea) Cassidy and (Darragh) McGilligan pulling up the trees for the Oak Leafers.
There was then a lenghty stoppage as Meath’s Conor Levey received medical aid for a nasty looking shoulder injury. To compound hometown anxiety at that juncture, when play did resume thereafter, Derry blitzed King’s posts for 1-5, with only a Mark Levey free in riposte.
The Cassidy’s, Eamon and Shea, clocked up more points for the men from the Sperrins before the unfortunate (Conor) Levey was pinged for a penalty that never was.
Thus, King’s opposite number, Sean Kelly, galloped forward to win the battle of wills. Meaning Johnny McGarvey’s team galloped across the tarmac to the dressing room with a 1-12 to 0-07 buffer.
The Cassidy’s flashed over a point apiece at the start of the second half to push the white and red 10 points clear. That said, three points in as many minutes from Levey, Lorcan Byrne and the returning Tom Shine gave Johnny Greville’s side a desperately needed shot of impotus.
Further points followed from Jarlath Ennis and the Cole brothers, Joey and Mikey, before the outstanding Byrne blasted to the net to leave just two between the sides, 1-11 to 1-13, 13 minutes into the second half. Then, however, the two goalkeepers again became the central figures as firstly Kelly saved a spot shot from King before the adopted Royal quickly made amends driving over a massive free.
Shea Cassidy and Meath skipper Daire Shine then traded scores before another big King free sent Greville’s gang ahead by 1-18 to 1-17 with only a brace of the 70 minutes remaining. Cassidy and King then traded scores before the Shine in the double digit jersey capped his comeback with an insurance score.
Scorers – L. Byrne (1-3), M. Levey (0-5), T. Shine (0-4), G. King (0-3), M. Cole (0-2), J. Ennis, D. Shine and J. Cole (0-1 each).
MEATH – G. King; J. Regan, D. Shine, C. Levey; N. Conroy, S. Ennis, S. Geraghty; J. Cole, E. Donegan; T. Shine, L. Byrne, M. Levey; M. Cole, D. Healy, D. O’Higgins.
Referee: Alan Tierney (Tipperary).