Both left wondering what might have been

MEATH… 2-11

DERRY…1-16

Both sides were left wondering what might have been though it was Rory Gallagher’s Derry side who came away from Pairc Tailteann with the spoils. If also the biggest portion of regret as well.

Meath were left to rue not only letting a good lead slip against the Oak Leaf County today but dropping points against the two sides who ended up departing to Div. 2. For their part, Derry will also be pondering points dropped as they missed out on promotion themselves. The prize going to Roscommon instead.

The records will show that Niall Loughlin’s goal for Derry came about as a result of an error by Harry Hogan but that cannot and it’s will not alter the fact that the Longwood clubman has not only been one of the good news stories from Meath’s Spring campaign but that he has now become one of the pillars of the team.

It should be forgotten that the custodian had brilliant saved a penalty from Shane McGuigan at a time when Meath were already two points in arrears. Shortly thereafter, Curraha’s Jack O’Connor netted and when James McEntee and Bryan Menton then pointed the Pairc shook with excitement as its residents led by 1-07 to 0-07 have way through.

When Shane Walsh (above) netted a spot kick early in the second half and Tomas O’Reilly and Hogan (twice) pointed to leave those in green and gold clear by 2-09 to 0-11 with ten minutes remained an a third consecutive win looked on the cards.

Alas it was the visitors who regained the momentum as the aforementioned Loughlin netted and then a flurry of points followed courtesy of him, McGuigan, Padraig McGrogan, Niall Toner and Conor Glass as Derry got the win they needed but still wasn’t enough.

For a county like Meath, obviously the top table of the league should be the aim and it’s always disappointing not to be there but there are still a number of positives which can be taken from the campaign just ended.

Among the biggest of them, the emergence of Harry Hogan as the solution to what has been a goalkeeping conundrum in recent years. Not to mention the other qualities he brings to the team.

Think too of the return of Conor McGill, Bryan Menton and Ronan Jones to the fold and getting game-time into that crucial triumvirate. And mention must also be afforded to the further emergence and develop of players such as Robin Clarke, Eoin Harkin, Mat Costello, Jason Scully and Jack O’Connor.

Of most concern to the Meath backroom team will surely be the manner in which a five point advantage slip in the closing stages. However, as events elsewhere today proved, going forward, there is nothing to fear but fear itself.

MEATH – H. Hogan (0-3); R. Ryan, C. McGill, E. Harkin; J. McEntee (0-1), G. McGowan, D. Keogan; B. Menton (0-1), R. Jones (0-2); J. Scully, T. O’Reilly (0-1), M. Costello (0-1); J. O’Connor (1-1), S. Walsh (1-0), J. Wallace (0-1). Subs; E. Devine for Jones, B. McMahon for Scully, J. Flynn for Devine.

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)