Meath minors advance to Leinster semi-final

MIDWAY through the opening half of this Leinster MFC quarter-final clash at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon Meath were struggling to come to terms with a workmanlike, if unspectacular Westmeath side. With 15 minutes elapsed the score stood at 0-5 to 0-2 in favour of the visitors and it looked like the hosts would be in for one of those nervy finishes that characterised an opening round win over Offaly. Instead, Meath found a new gear and started to impose themselves on the game. They gained the type of iron-like grip Westmeath were totally incapable of unlocking. Well before the end of this low-wattage affair spectators were heading for the exits. They could head for their cars secure in the knowledge that they seen who would be progressing to the last four. There was never any prospect of a late revival by Westmeath as the Royals imposed total supremacy after the break So often we have seen how a player who is sent-off can galvanise a team. It didn"t happen with Westmeath who had midfielder John Heslin shown the way to the sideline when he picked up a second yellow card just two minutes into the second-half. His absence appeared to drain the confidence and resolve from his colleagues. Meath weren"t slow in making full use of the extra man with Conor Devereux given a freedom to roam and he excelled in that role slotting over two superb second-half points from play that edged the Royals closer to their commanding victory. It was looking promising for Meath at the break when they led by 0-8 to 0-6 and that after facing into a stiff breeze. Westmeath needed a good start to the second-half. They didn"t get it with Heslin"s dismissal constituting just another body blow to their already battered ambitions. Meath didn"t have it all their own way at midfield, but in Damien Carroll they had a strong candidate for man-of-the-match. Carroll is experienced at this level and is particularly effective when he powers forward from midfield. The Ballinabrackey player capped a barnstorming display with four points, two from frees and won a good percentage of breaking ball in the crowed central sector. Ailbe Mahon also put in a big shift in the engine room. There were spells early on when Westmeath had the better of the exchanges in the middle and Ger Egan made three spectacular high-fielding leaps in the closing stages. Westmeath made the more sure-footed start to the game with points from Wayne Fox and Eoin Gorman (two each) and Heslin. Slowly the Royal County found their footing and started to pass the ball around. Once again the Meath full-back line of Gavin Kennedy, Ciaran Lenehan and David Coyle were resolute in front of their own posts. They had plenty to do in the opening 15 minutes and proved up to the task. The Westmeath full-forward line managed only two points from play and that says a lot about how the afternoon unfolded. Westmeath carved out just one clear-cut goal chance all afternoon and that came midway through the second-half when they worked their way through the Meath defence. Corner-forward Jason Cully was left with a clear sight at goals and about 10 metres out. His low shot was well saved by Conor McHugh. Bryan Menton gave an efficient display at centre-back, his height and strength useful assets in preventing the way to goals. He is also a player with vision and has the capability to find a teammate with a well hit pass. Mark McCormack was effective in joining the Meath attack from his right-half-back berth while Emmet Boyle also did well to stride forward and fire over two points from play. The Meath management can take a lot from this performance heading into the semi-final, not least the fact that all six forwards contributed to the big win. Devereux, Padraig McKeever and Mark O"Sullivan made up a quick and inventive half-forward line. They notched seven points between, three apiece from Devereux and McKeever. Further upfield Sean Tobin and Harrison Silke didn"t have a lot of ammunition to work with although they still managed one point apiece while Liam Tolan came to the fore in the closing stages of the game and slotted over two points, one from a free shortly before the end. David Larkin came on to put down his claim for a starting place and contributed a point. Meath were helped out by the tendency of the Westmeath defence to give the ball away as they tried to move upfield and the home forwards were in the mood to take full advantage. If there is one concern for Meath it is that they didn"t carve out a clear-cut goal opportunity. They did have half chances when on 16 minutes McKeever, all alertness and vigour, dispossessed Westmeath captain Alan Fitzpatrick and fed Devereux who rifled the ball low and hard forcing an excellent save from Scott Gaynor, who turned the ball away for a '45." Meath had three players booked including full-back Lenehan who was a shade fortunate to get only a yellow card after making contact with an opponent in the second-half. He survived that scare as his side went to win a game that had an air of inevitability about it all long before the final whistle. SCORERS Meath - D Carroll 0-4, two frees; P McKeever 0-3; C Devereux 0-3; E Boyle 0-2; L Tolan 0-2, one free; M O"Sullivan 0-1; S Tobin 0-1; H Silke 0-1. Westmeath - E Gorman 0-3, two frees; W Fox 0-2; G Egan 0-1, free; J Heslin 0-1, free; R Kenny 0-1; K Reilly 0-1. THE TEAMS Meath - C McHugh; G Kennedy, C Lenehan, D Coyle; M McCormack, B Menton, E Boyle; D Carroll, A Mahon; C Devereux, P McKeever, M O"Sullivan; S Tobin, H Silke, L Tolan. Subs - D Larkin for O"Sullivan 41 minutes; A Doyle for Coyle 49m; T Rahill for McCormack 42m; B Davis for Tobin 56m; T Rahill for McCormack 59m; S Gillespie for Boyle 59m. Westmeath - S Gaynor; C Sheridan, K Maguire, B Moran; B Hogan, A Fitzpatrick, T Farrell; G Egan, J Heslin; R Kenny, C McCormack, W Fox; K Reilly, E Gorman, J Cully. Subs - C Boyle for Hogan 41 minutes; S Gilmore for Fox 44m; J Geoghegan for McCormack 45m. REFEREE Fergus Barry (Kildare).