Meath Hill 1-12 Slane 1-08

Meath Hill opened their All County Football Championship Division 3 campaign with a hard-earned four-point win over Slane at Toddy Harding Park on Sunday. A second-half goal from Colin Breslin proved decisive in a game that was competitive from start to finish.

The visitors made the brighter start, with Ryan Shekelton clipping over the first score after strong pressure from the Meath Hill forwards. Cillian Maher almost had the game’s opening goal minutes later, but the Slane goalkeeper produced two sharp saves in quick succession to deny him.

Aaron Farrelly’s high fielding set up Colin Breslin for Meath Hill’s second, before Tomás Smith added a third from just outside the D. Slane eventually got off the mark 10 minutes in, but the Hill’s lead was restored when Mark Tully converted a close-range free after Lucas Farrelly’s determined run drew a foul.

Slane, playing into the breeze, added a second before Tully landed a superb free from the sideline that drew plenty of applause — though there was some debate about whether it should have been worth two points. A third Slane free kept them in touch, but Tully again replied after Kyle Martin’s strong carry won another placed ball.

Slane had the final say of the half with a well-judged score against the wind, but Meath Hill still went in two points up at the break.

Half-time: Meath Hill 0-06, Slane 0-04

The third quarter began scrappily, with both sides guilty of turnovers. Slane got the first score after the restart to cut the gap to one, but Breslin struck a major blow moments later — linking with Tully for a one-two before finishing to the net.

Slane responded with another free, but substitute Dean Martin made an immediate impact for Meath Hill, curling over from the left. The home side then found the goal they had been chasing, narrowing the margin back to a single point.

As the game entered its final stages, Tully’s accuracy from frees proved vital, restoring a small cushion before Slane hit back again. Breslin, now in flying form, added another from play, and Kyle Martin followed with a fine effort after a strong surge by Farrelly.

The returning Shane McCabe was introduced late on and quickly made his presence felt, winning a free that Tully converted to seal the victory.

Meath Hill’s seniors now turn their attention to a much bigger test — a Round 2 Senior Football Championship clash with reigning champions Dunshaughlin in Páirc Tailteann at 7:30pm.

The club’s reserves face Castletown at home at 4:00pm in their own second-round tie

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