Meath boys inflict more pain on Louth footballers

Meath completed a successful journey through the Leinster MFC backdoor when they avenged an earlier reversal by Louth and qualified for the decider in front of an estimated 2,500 supporters at Pairc Tailteann last Wednesday night. Waiting for Meath's next generation in the final is the old foe, Dublin, who comprehensively defeated Kildare in the other semi-final (1-24 to 0-11) at Parnell Park last Wednesday night also. Meath manager Davy Dalton had to plan without a couple of players with both midfielder Conor Sheridan and full-back Conor McGill on the injured list. Barry McConnon deputised impressively in defence while Padraig Harnan (pictured) and Shane McEntee formed a usefil-looking midfield partnership. "I was very pleased with that display, there is tremendous competition for places and it might sound like a cliché, but the players who didn't get selected are the reason that the team is so good, they are pushing these lads in training all the time," remarked a pleased manager. There was scarcely 20 seconds on the clock when a 'Joe Sheridan moment' materialised in the Louth goalmouth. However, on this occasion Louth survived and scrambled the ball clear before there was any need for the referee to consult with his umpires. The incident arose when Brian McManhon centred and Wille McGrath was well-placed to cause problems, but Louth full-back Dermot Campbell and goalie Conaire Quigley scrambled the ball clear. Louth also had to contend with some injury problems as regular goalkeeper, Jamie Mulholland, was injured in a club game. Meath dominated the opening exchanges. Points from Cillian O'Sullivan, McMahon and Neil Shorthall (free) gave Meath the edge as Louth relied solely on Ciaran Byrne for scores. Meath worked the ball confidently out of defence at all times and this ability produced a fine point towards the end of the first-quarter. Goalkeeper Robert Burlingham fielded impressively under the crossbar and started a move that included McConnon, McMahon, McGrath and O'Sullivan who split the posts. That gave Meath a 0-4 to 0-2 first-quarter lead. Byrne completed Louth's first-half tally with a couple of well-taken points while Shorthall (two frees) and O'Sullivan sent Meath into the break with a 0-7 to 0-4 advantage. That three-point margin could have been greater if McMahon had finished to the net in the 29th minute after O'Sullivan's defence-splitting pass made the opening. However, the Ratoath player grazed the outside of the post. A minute later Louth also had a lucky escape when goalkeeper Quigley fumbled a speculative centre at the expense of a '45' - that signalled his exit and he was replaced by Darren Breen. Byrne's point got Louth moving again immediately after the resumption and they found another marksman when centre-back Daniel Grimes split the posts. Byrne added two more points which countered McMahon's brace and one from Shorthall which left the Wee County adrift by 0-8 to 0-10 as the game entered the final quarter. Meath then lost Shorthall to a second yellow card, the referee was correct although many Meath supporters may have felt it was harsh call by the Kildare official. The dismissal lifted Meath and they reeled off three quick-fire points from substitute Cathal Smith (two) and McMahon as Louth laboured to capitalise on the extra player. Even the previously accurate Byrne missed a free with five minutes remaining although he took his tally for the evening to nine points in the closing stages as 14-man Meath dropped deeper and deeper to defend their lead. There was a late scare as Louth pushed for a goal, but Meath survived and can now look forward to a first provincial final since 2008. Meath - Robert Burlingham (Simonstown Gaels); Anthony Forde (Moynalvey), Barry McConnon (Killary Emmets), Oran Fitzpatrick (Clann na nGael); Cathal Finn (Dunboyne), Shane Melia (Donaghmore / Ashbourne), Declan Smith (Dunsany); Padraig Harnan (Moynalvey), Dhane McEntee (Dunboyne); Neil Shorthall (St Vincent's/Curraha 0-4, frees), Bobby O'Brien (Ratoath), Cillian O'Sullivan (Moynalvey 0-3); Brian McMahon (Ratoath 0-4), Robert Farrelly (Oldcastle), William McGrath (Ballinlough / Inny Gaels). Subs - Cathal Smith (Navan O'Mahonys 0-2) for Farrelly 43 mins, Sean Sheridan (Longwood) for McMahon 56m. Louth - C Quigley; M Kane, D Campbell, N McCabe; C Bellew, D Grimes (0-1), D McMahon; R McCabe, M Breen; S Thornton, P Reilly, C Smyth; C McKeever, J Horan, C Byrne (0-9). Subs - J King for Smyth, D Breen for Quigley both 30 mins, K Ryan for McKeever 43m, R Brodigan for McCabe 54m, S McAuley for King 59m. Referee - Fergal Barry (Kildare).