Meath 2-16

Clare 1-18

The Super 8s line-up is now complete after Meath put their Leinster final nightmare behind them to edge out Clare by a single point in an entertaining All-Ireland SFC Qualifier Round 4 clash at O'Moore Park.

Goals in either half from Bryan Menton and Mickey Newman - who injured himself in the process of scoring after colliding with an upright - proved decisive as Andy McEntee's charges did just enough. After the sides had been level six times in a free-flowing first half, Clare took a 1-12 to 1-11 lead three minutes after the restart when Gavin Cooney netted, but Newman replied with a palmed goal just two minutes later and the Royals were never headed thereafter as they held on for a win that is bound to give football in the county a major lift.

Meath came in for heavy criticism after only managing four points in a crushing defeat to Dublin a fortnight ago, but they rediscovered their shooting boots this afternoon by posting 2-16 and registering just four wides. Having achieved promotion to Division 1 of the Allianz League earlier in the season and a place in the Super 8s, they are now in bonus territory and can look forward to at least three more games against top-quality opposition, starting with a trip to Ulster champions Donegal next Sunday. 

With their highly-rated midfield partnership of Gary Brennan and Cathal O'Connor excelling, especially in the first half, Clare gave as good as they got, but were beaten by the clock in the end. In a ding-dong opening half, Jamie Malone caught the eye with four classy points from play for Colm Collins' men, while Newman kicked 0-5 at the other end, including four from frees. 

Clare were a point up when Meath got a big boost in the 35th minute when Padraic Harnan burst forward and put man of the match Donal Keogan through on goal. Keogan's shot beat Stephen Ryan, but it was cleared off the line by Kevin Harnett, only for the inrushing Bryan Menton to finish to the net.

Meath resumed with points from Newman (free) and impish corner forward James Conlon before Clare regained the lead when Cooney fisted home Cian O'Dea's delivery. 

Meath manager Andy McEntee celebrates at the final whistle with Bryan McMahon. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

But their lead didn't last for long as Newman palmed home after a clever one-two with Harnan. Despite losing their top-scorer to a leg injury, Meath opened up a 2-13 to 1-12 lead after 44 minutes thanks to further points from Keogan and Ethan Devine.

But Clare, who haven't beaten the Royals in 40 years. refused to give up the ghost and outscored them by 0-6 to 0-3 in a nail-biting finale to leave the minimum in it. Points from Cillian O'Sullivan and Ben Brennan after Harnan had fired a goal chance wide in the 66th minute kept the Banner at arm's length as six minutes of injury-time were signalled.

David Tubridy's third free and sixth point in total narrowed the gap before substitute Dermot Coughlan made it a one-point game. But time ran out on the Munster men as Meath marched on.

Meath - A Colgan; S Lavin, C McGill, S Gallagher; G McCoy, P Harnan, D Keogan (0-1); B Menton (1-0), S McEntee; E Devine (0-1), B McMahon (0-1), C O'Sullivan (0-1); J Conlon (0-3), M Newman (1-6, 0-5f), T McGovern (0-1). Subs: T O'Reilly for M Newman, G Reilly for T McGovern, S Walsh (0-1f) for T O'Reilly, S Curran for S Gallagher, B Brennan (0-1) for E Devine, S Tobin for J Conlon, T O'Reilly for B McMahon (BC).

Clare - S Ryan; K Harnett, C Brennan, G Kelly (0-1); D Ryan, A Fitzgerald, S Collins; G Brennan (0-1), C O'Connor (0-2); S O'Donoghue, E Cleary (0-2f), J Malone (0-4); G Cooney (1-0), D Tubridy (0-6, 3f), C O'Dea (0-1). Subs: K Malone for S O'Donoghue, D Coughlan (0-1) for G Cooney, E O'Connor for G Kelly (BC), G O'Brien for D Ryan, E Courtney for E Cleary.

Referee - D O'Mahoney.

Tweet

Most Read Stories