Hannigan saves meath in final minute
Meath had to work hard at Pairc Táilteann tonight for a 1-10 to 1-8 Leinster u-21 FC quarter-final victory over Westmeath and it was all down to a superb finger-tip save by Jack Hannigan in the final minute.
There was plenty of honest endeavour on each side and the gamew as played in a good spirit despite a late red card for Westmeath's Ryan Caffrey – the 60th minute dismissal had no impact on the outcome.
Westmeath were ahead by 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval with Eamon Wallace for Meath and Ray Connellan (penalty – see video clip) for Westmeath trading first-half goals.
Meath gradually gained the upperhand in thes econd-half and went three points clear with 10 minutes remaining, but were pegged back and could have exited only for Hannigan's intervention.
Meath will play either Kildare and Offaly, who play tomorrow night in O’Moore Park at 7.30pm, in a semi-final on 18th March.
Meath – Jack Hannigan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Michael Flood (St Brigid's), Gavin McGowan (Ratoath), Liam Ferguson (Gaeil Colmcille); Shane Dowling (St Patrick's), Brian Power (Ratoath), Shane McEntee (Dunboyne); Adam Flanagan (Clonard), Ben Duggan (Dunshaughlin); Padraic Harnan (Moynalvey), Ruairi O Coileain (Navan O'Mahonys 0-7 six frees), Joey Wallace (Ratoath), Shane Lenihan (Moynalvey), Kevin Ryan (Summerhill), Eamon Wallace (Ratoath 1-2).
Subs – Conor Rooney (Ratoath) for Duggan 36 mins, Barry Dardis (Summerhill) for Ryan 45m, Oisin Reilly (Gaeil Colmcille) 0-1) for J Wallace 47m, Conor Carton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) for McEntee 60m.
The attendance tonight was approx 800 - it appears that the majority of Meath supporters stayed at home for this one!