Meath 2-30 Down 4-21

Meath caused an upset in this National Hurling League Division 2 refixed round 4 game played in splendid conditions at Lomans Park Trim.

The visitors were already final bound, with maximum points from five outings, and could afford to make five changes to their starting lineup while Meath needed a win to ease their relegation worries but also give them a shot at qualifying for the final.

The home side played some of the best hurling seen from a team in green and gold for many years in the opening half. Unbeaten Down had no answers to a very hungry and committed Meath side.

The return of Damien Healy was central to this opening half display. The sides were level 0-3 each after ten minutes before Meath took over and outscored Down 2-19 to 0-8 for the remainder of the half. The impressive Mikey Cole and Healy raised the green flags as Johnny Greville’s men went to the dressing room 17 points in front 2-22 to 0-11. 

With 15 minutes gone in the second half Meath still held a 14 point lead before the Mourne men sprung to life. Tom McGrattan and Chris Egan raised green flags inside a minute and Meath were reduced to 14, Cole seeing red after picking up a second yellow. Ben Taggart got goal number three for the visitors before referee Eamonn Furlong reduced Meath to 13, Darragh Kelly like Cole red carded after picking up a second yellow. It was now backs to the wall stuff for Meath. McGrattan added 1-3 to his total to narrow the gap to two as five minutes of injury time came into play. Meath keeper Colm O’Riordan produced two top class saves to keep Down out. Jack Regan lifted the siege from a free. Down pressed for a goal but some brave defending from the home side denied them and Meath held on to win by three.

Meath take on Kildare in the last round next Saturday at Lomans Park and the winner will meet Down in the Division 2 final.

Meath scorers: Jack Regan 0-8, Mikey Cole 1-5, Damien Healy 1-3, Nicky Potterton 0-4, Sean Quigley 0-4, Lorcan Byrne 0-3, Kris Gorman 0-1, James Toher 0-1, Sean Coloe 0-1

Down scorers: Tom McGrattan 2-12, Donal Hughes 0-4, Chris Egan 1-0, Ben Taggart 1-0, Daniel Toner 0-2, Marc Fisher 0-1, Paul Sheehan 0-1, Daniel Toner 0-1

Tweet

Most Read Stories