HL2B: Royals rout Down
February 13, 2017
Meath's James Kelly shoots as Rian Branagan attempts to block during the opening round of the NHL Division 2B at Pairc Tailteann
Meath ....... 4-21
Down ........ 1-10
Meath opened their Allianz NHL Division 2B campaign with a surprisingly emphatic win over Down at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
The opening 25 minutes suggested a nail-biting encounter. The Royals blitzed Down in the run-up to half-time, outscoring the visitors by 2-2 to 0-1.
Thereafter the only doubt was their final margin of victory which may prove important if score difference is required later.
New captain Damien Healy gave an exemplary displayed at centre-half-back capping it with a fine point from inside his own 65 seconds after the restart.
The result was notable as it was achieved with last year's Ring Cup-winning captain James Toher, who lined out for the county footballers against Derry.
Ten different players scored for Meath including sub Neil Heffernan and his Trim clubmate Peter Farrell (free).
The accuracy of the experienced Steven Clynch from play and in particular frees was important in laying the foundations for this success.
Wing-forward James Kelly combined pace with five points from play. Sean Quigley and Adam Gannon also caught the eye in attack for Meath.
Meath 'keeper Shane McGann made an important save from Down captain Danny Toner midway through the opening when the fixture was still a contest.
The contest had long expired when in the 51st minute Kevin Keena placed Anthony Forde for Meath's fourth goal which left it 4-15 to 1-8.
Despite facing the bitter breeze blowing from town end, Meath goaled inside 30 seconds through Kevin Keena,
Last year's NHL Division 2B runners-up responded well hitting the front with Danny Toner's fourth minute goal.
Caolan Bailie's frees moved Down 1-4 to 1-1 clear by the 11th minute. However, Meath outscored them by 2-8 to 0-2 over the remainder of the half.
James Kelly's pace unhinged Down 10 minutes in, but the Kiltale man's effort whizzed wide. Midway through the half, Toner forced a fine save from Shane McGann.
Four Steven Clynch frees regained the lead for Meath and they extended with second-quarter goals with Adam Gannon central to both. The Killyon-man placed Sean Quigley to net in the 27th minute before goaling himself three minutes later.
That surge left Meath double scores to the good at half-time, 3-9 to 1-6, with wind advantage to come. Thereafter Martin Ennis' men outscored Down by 1-11 to 0-4.
Both teams are at home in round two next Sunday when Meath entertain Derry while Down face Roscommon.
Meath - Shane McGann; Sean Geraghty, Shane Whitty, Cormac Reilly; Shane Brennan, Damian Healy (C) (0-1), Keith Keoghan (0-1); Joey Keena, Anthony Forde (1-1); Sean Quigley (1-1), Cathal McCabe, James Kelly (0-5); Steven Clynch (0-8, 6fs), Adam Gannon (1-1), Kevin Keena (1-0). Subs - David Reilly for Healy (bs 21-24), Neil Heffernan (0-1) for Gannon (47), Padraig Kelly for J Keena (49), Gary Kelly for Clynch (59), Niall Weir for Reilly (63), Peter Farrell (0-2, 1f) for McCabe (64).
Down - Stephen Keith; Peter McManus, Conor O'Neill, Michael Hughes; Chris Egan, Rian Branagan, Sean Ennis; Caolan Bailie (0-6, 5fs), Declan McManus (0-1); Michael Ennis, Caolan Teggart, Conor Mageean (0-1); Eoghan Sands (0-1), Paul Sheehan, Danny Toner (C) (1-0). Subs - Conor O'Prey for Teggart (33), Pearse Og McCrickard (0-1) for O'Neill (ht), Gerard Hughes for Sheehan (41), Malachy Magee for Egan (57), Michael Turley for Toner (66).
Referee - Patrick Murphy (Carlow)
