MEATH…3-15
DERRY…3-15
The late Paddy McIntyre Snr – a dual player at inter county level, as was his son of the same name – often said “You find your good players when you are getting beat”. There was seldom a greater manifestation of the truth of the old nugget of wisdom than the display of Tom Shine in this crucial Christy Ring Cup Round 4 encounter in St Loman’s Park, Trim, at lunchtime on Saturday.
However, it would be remiss not to also append acclaim to his twin brother Daire. The two counties have developed quite the rivalry in recent years across the GAA codes – but particularly in hurling and camogie – and again on this occasion, momentum seemed to swing from side to side quicker than a Healy Rae’s political allegiances.
And, when it was swinging towards Oak Leaf liberation rather than Royal redemption, it was Daire Shine and his Kilskyre/Moylagh club colleague Seanie Geraghty and Lorcan O’Connor who fought the Derry tide. Until, continuing the theme of things happening in pairs, it was the other Lorcan, Byrne, who netted Meath’s first ‘major’ before Tom Shine steered them back to parity, 1-09 apiece, with the last play of the first half.
The to-and-frow nature of things continued in the second half as Cormac O’Doherty, Rian Collins and Deaglan Foley doing most of the damage for Johnny McGarvey’s side before Damien Healy (goal), Mark Leavy, Tom Shine, Joey Cole and Kyle Ennis (two) firing Johnny Greville’s gang into what was a highly unlikely seven point buffer.
However, as time and tide have proven, as long as there’s time with these two involved, the script is never finalised. Thus, as much as Tom Shine cracking home a third green flag score for the Royals sent the locals into delirium but that very rapidly turned to despair as Darragh McGilligan and Eamon McGill contributed the major foundations of the 2-2 the red and white hit between the 71st and 73rd minutes which seemingly stole the win and the Christy Ring Cup final berth for the town Phil loved so well!
As somebody once said, though, nearly never killed anyone. Hence, after enduring a frustrating afternoon by his own lofty standards, Gavin King still had the ingenuity to get a puc out away rapidly after McGill’s goal which was grabbed amidst a forest of bodies by Shine who, with a second belt of the ball, saved Meath’s bacon and their season.
Scorers – T. Shine (1-6, 3F), D. Healy and L. Byrne (1-1 each), M. Leavy (0-3), K. Ennis (0-2), E. Donegan and J. Cole (0-1 each).
Meath – G. King; J. Ennis, S. Geraghty, L. O’Connor; E. Donegan, D. Shine, A. Healy; S. Coloe, K. Donnelly; D. Healy, L. Byrne, T. Shine; J. Cole, K. Ennis, M. Leavy.
Subs – S. Ennis for Cole, N. Conroy for Donnelly, M. Cole for K. Ennis, D. O’Higgins for Coloe, P. O’Hanrahan for D. Healy.
Referee – Nicky O’Toole (Waterford)
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