Down 2-20 Meath 1-16

Dual star Mickey Burke was given a guard of honour to mark his 200th appearance in a Meath senior jersey but Down spoiled the party with this seven point win in the opening round of the Kehoe Cup in front of a large crowd at Longwood. PHOTOS

The accurate Pearse Og McCrickard with four points pushed the visitors 0-6 to 0-2 in front midway through the first half. An experimental Meath rallied and aided by a fine Daire Shine goal tied the game up at 1-7 to 0-10 with five minutes remaining. Another 3 from McCrickard and a fine effort from centre back Caolan Taggart gave Down a 0-14 to 1-7 interval lead.

Seanie Martin narrowed the gap with the first score of the second half before Down raised their first green flag, Chris Egan’s shot deceiving Meath keeper Jack Fagan after seven minutes. 

Seoirse Bulfin’s men rallied again and outscored Down 0-5 to 0-1 in the next ten minutes. Podge McGowan (3), Martin again and substitute Sean Quigley gave the large home support something to cheer about. Hanrahan and Quigley added to their tallies with eight minutes to go to narrow the gap to a goal, 1-18 to 1-15 before Daire Shine earned a penalty. Quigley stepped up but saw his effort saved by keeper Stephen Keith at the expense of a ’65.

Quigley pointed that 65 to leave two in it but Down dominated the remaining minutes and another goal from Egan along with a McCrickard brace ensured victory for Ronan Sheehan’s charges.

Meath travel to Bray for a round two meeting with Wicklow while Down are at home to Kildare next weekend.

Down scorers: Pearse Og McCrickard 0-12, Chris Egan 2-0, Daithi Sands 0-3, Caolan Teggart, Eoghan Sands, Tom McGrattan, Danny Toner and Tim Prenter 0-1 each.

Meath scorers: Padraig O’hanrahan 0-8, Daire Shine 1-1, Seanie Martin and Sean Quigley 0-3 each, Mark Horan 0-1

Referee Ciaran Goff

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