Kehoe Cup : Holders Meath pass first test
January 29, 2012
Meath's Paul Fagan gains possession as DCU's John Cullen closes in during the Lehoe Cup game at Pairc Tailteann. TO VIEW A SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THIS GAME CLICK HERE
DCU 1-9
Meath hurlers their defence of the Kehoe Cup with an impressive showing against students DCU at a wet Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
Cillian Farrell's charges' first competitive outing of the year ended with a good win over a Dublin City University side with players from Tipperary, Kilkenny, Cork, Wexford, Galway, Clare and Dublin.
By the end Meath had eight different scorers with Nicky Horan leading the way with 0-7. The manner in which they responded to setbacks during the hour was positive.
A pointed Horan free in the 15th minute saw Meath hit the front for the first time, 0-3 to 0-2. They kicked-on to lead by seven points, 1-7 to 0-3, with 30 minutes gone.
A mistake by Meath goalkeeper Shane McGann, in the rain, led to a DCU goal for their top scorer Emmet Kent.
The sides then exchanged points before the break when the home side led by 1-8 to 1-4.
Within a minute of the restart, Meath had tagged on two points, thanks to Peter Durnin and Stephen Clynch.
With Kent leading the scoring change, DCU got with four points of Meath on two occasions subsequently. The final time being when David Reidy sent over midway through the half and the board read, 1-12 to 1-8.
Meath finished stronger outscoring DCU by 0-5 to 0-1 in the final quarter to book a home game next Sunday with St Patrick's College, Drumcondra who defeated Wicklow (runners-up in last year's Kehoe Cup) by 3-11 to 2-9.
DCU captain Alan Griffith was red-carded in the 62nd minute following a brief melee after a foul on Peter Durnin.
Meath led by 1-13 to 1-8 at the time and closed out the game with points from Horan (three) and experienced substitute Mikey Cole.
The students at the north Dublin city third level college, who easily defeated Fingal seven days earlier, opened brightly.
Two pointed Kent frees earned Paul O'Brien's charges an early lead. Points in quick succession from Damien Healy and Ciaran Fitzsimons levelled matters by the 12th minute.
Meath - S. McGann; C. Reilly, E. Fitzgerald, D. Gleeson; E. Keogh, P. Fagan, S. Morris; S. Clynch (0-1), C. Fitzsimons (0-3); E. Marsh, D. Healy (0-2), K. Keoghan (1-0); D. Raleigh (0-1), N. Horan (0-7, 4 fs, 1 pen), P. Durnin (0-2). Subs - M. Cole (0-1) Raleigh (57 mins), S. Heavey for Keoghan (59), C O Mealoid for Marsh (69), J. Kelly for Durnin, C. Flaherty for Healy (both 70).
DCU - B. McCormack; S. Kelly, W. Eviston, J. Whelan; S. McGrath, A. Griffith, J. Ging; J. J. Lennon, Q. Lynch (0-1, f); E. Kent (1-6, 0-6 fs), W. O'Brien (0-1), S. Griffith; D. Reidy (0-1), C. Foley, J. Cullen. Sub - G. Muldoon for S. Griffith (55).
Referee - D. Heffernan (Westmeath). Tweet
