SF challenge: Meath defeat Louth
May 12, 2013
Meath's Andy Tormey with Louth's Conor Rafferty during the senior football challenge at St Lomans Park Trim
Meath 1-13
Louth 1-10
The windy conditions at the Meath venue was less than ideal for the game as both counties fielded strong teams in preparation for the forthcoming Leinster championship.
Meath played with the elements in the opening half and held a 0-7 to 0-5 advantage at the break. Derek Maguire got Louth on the scoreboard first with a well worked point. Joe Sheridan was on free taking duty for the Royals and he levelled matters after five minutes. Points from Caoimhin King, Eamon Wallace, Brian Dillon and Graham Reilly pushed Mick O'Dowds charges 0-5 to 0-2 ahead after 20 minutes. Louth tied up the game as Derek Crilly, David Reid and Derek Maguire raised white flags. Seamus Kenny and Sheridan pointed in the last minutes to give Meath a two point lead at the break.
Louth took the lead for the first time in the game when Maguire fisted home a goal in the opening minutes of the second half. The Wee County men held a 1-7 t0 0-9 lead after ten minutes but then Meath took over. Andy Tormey was fouled in the square and the Donaghmore Ashbourne player converted the spot kick to put Meath ahead. Tormey added two points and Meath led 1-11 to 1-7. Further points from Ciaran Lenehan and Stephen Bray had the lead out to five. Louth finished the game the stronger and were rewarded with points from Padraig Sheelan, Ronan Carroll and Brian White.
Meath: Conor McHugh, Coalan Young, Donal Keoghan, Bryan Menton, Brian Dillon (0-1), Coaimhin King (0-1), Seamus Kenny (0-2), Conor Gillespie, Graham Reilly (0-1), Eamonn Wallace (0-1), Damien Carroll, Padraig Harnan, Sean Tobin, Joe Sheridan (0-2), Andy Tormey (1-2).
Subs: Brian Farrell, Ciaran Lenehan (0-2), Peadar Byrne, Stephen Bray (0-1), Brian Meade, Bryan McMahon.
Louth: Neil Gallagher, Padraig Rath, Dessie Finnegan, Gary O'Hare, Liam Shevlin, Derek Crilly (0-1), Adrian Reid (0-1), Paddy Keenan, Conor Rafferty (0-1), Padraig Smith, Colm Judge, David Reid (0-1), Brian White (0-1), Cathal Bellew, Derek Maguire (1-2)
Subs: Eoin O'Connor, Mick Fanning, Kevin Rogers, Gary Connolly, Joe Flanagan, Padraig Sheelan (0-1), Ronan Carroll (0-2). Tweet
