Jack Regan was in top scoring form as Meath justified favouritism against Derry in today’s Christy Ring Cup semi-final at the Athletic Grounds.
The Royals registered a 3-24 to 2-18 success and Regan accounted for 1-14 of his side’s tally
The Kiltale clubman sent over 10 points (9 frees) in the opening period which finished with the team in green and gold 0-15 to 2-8 to the good.
Se McGuigan and Gerald Bradley raised green flags for the Ulster outfit but second-half goals from Regan, Gavin McGowan and substitute Nicholas Potterton swung the fixture in Nick Fitzgerald’s side’s favour.
Centre-forward Cormac O’Doherty top scored for the Oak Leafers with seven points but his efforts proved to be in vain.
The Royals reward is a Croke Park final showdown with Down who prevailed on a scoreline of 3-18 to 1-15 against Roscommon at Inniskeen.
The Mourne County led by 2-8 to 0-10 at half-time courtesy of goals from Daithi and Eoghan Sands while right corner-forward Daithi added his second, and team's third, in the 59th minute.
Meanwhile, London saved their Christy Ring Cup skin thanks to a 2-18 to 1-14 victory over Donegal in today’s relegation play-off at Crossmaglen.
Meath - S McGann; G Murphy, D Kelly, S Whitty; S Brennan, K Keoghan, J Kelly; S Geraghty, C McCabe (0-1); D Healy (0-1), B Slevin, J Regan (1-14, 0-12f, 0-1'65); G McGowan (1-1), A Gannon (0-4), A Douglas (0-2). Subs: S Morris (0-1) for B Slevin, Colm O Mealoid for D Kelly, N Potterton (1-0) for C McCabe.
Derry - S Kelly; P Kelly, S Cassidy, D McCloskey; M McGrath, M Craig, L Og Hinphey; M McGuigan (0-1), B Og McGilligan (0-1); T Brady (0-1), C O'Doherty (0-7, 5f), T McHugh (0-2); G Bradley (1-0), S McGuigan (1-1), R Mullan (0-5, 1f). Subs: C Kelly for M McGrath, J Mullan for M McGuigan, A Grant for B Og McGilligan, O McKeever for C O'Doherty.
Referee - S Hynes.
**
Down - S Keith; T Murray, C Taggart, D Mallon; M Fisher, J McManus, M Conlon; P Savage (0-2), L Savage (0-1); C O'Prey, P Sheehan (0-6, 5f), T Prenter (0-2); D Sands (2-3), E Sands (1-1), O MacManus (0-2). Subs: R McCrickard for T Prenter, PJ Davidson (0-1) for C O'Prey, R McCusker for P Sheehan, G Hughes for T Murray, R Blair for O MacManus.
Roscommon - N Fallon; P Kenny, P Nolan, H Rooney; C Coyle, P Kellehan, E Flanagan; D Heavey, C Dolan (0-4, 3f, 1'65); C Mulry (0-2), N Connaughton (1-2, 0-1f), P Kelly (0-3); S Curley (0-2, 1'65), C Egan (0-2), E Kenny. Subs: A Moore for E Flanagan, G Keenan for C Coyle, G Egan for D Heavey.
Referee - T Walsh.
**
London - P Buckley; C McAlinden, P Muldoon, F Collins; J Kennedy, K Burke (0-1), L Murphy; M O'Dwyer, C Thornton (0-1); S Lohan (0-1), A Sheehan (0-2, 1'65), S Lawless (1-2); D Nolan (0-7, 5f, 1'65), B McCarry (1-0), C Nelson (0-4). Subs: D Glynn for J Kennedy, C McSweeney for A Sheehan, O Royston for F Collins.
Donegal - P Burns; M Callaghan, S Gillespie, C Parke; N Cleary, S McVeigh, J O'Loughlin; D Cullen, J Boyle (0-1); C Matthewson (1-3, 1-0pen), C Finn, C Flood; L Henderson (0-9, 8f, 1'65), G Browne, D Duffy. Subs: PJ McCarron (0-1) for C Finn, C O'Grady for C Flood, R Hilferty for D Duffy, C McDermott for N Cleary.
Referee - M Murtagh.
Tweet