Croker collapse for meath as westmeath outdo lazarus
Two goals from Bryan McMahon gave Meath the first-half initiative in a whirlwind Leinster SFC semi-final at Croke Park today where Westmeath fashioned a Lazarus-style second-half comeback for a 3-19 to 2-18 victory as Royal goalkeeper Paddy O'Rourke was red-carded in added time.
Westmeath were out of contention at half-time as they trailed by eight points, but a brace of second-half black cards, the first for Grahm Reilly which was very harsh, saw the Royals composure disrupted.
Points from Stephen Bray, Graham Reilly, Bryan McMahon and Eamon Wallace had Meath ahead by 0-4 to 0-1 after seven minutes with John Heslin splitting the posts for an out-of-touch Westmeath.
Meath also tallied three wides during that period of dominance that included a missed goal chance.
Graham Reilly added a fifth point before the 10th minute in a Meath dominated first-half.
With further points from Wallace (three), Bray, Bryan Menton, Andrew Tormey and Graham Reilly Meath eased into a 2-12 to 1-7 interval advantage.
However, Meath managed only six second-half points although they were ahead by 2-17 to 1-11 around the three-quarter stage.
Never-say-die Westmeath took a firm grip and got back into contention with Kieran Martin and Heslin driving them on.
Martin's superb goal got Westmeath into the frame and they added point after point until Martin drew the sides level at 2-18 each after Mickey Newman had a chance of a Meath goal at the other end blocked.
With Westmeath supporters roaring on their team, Martin added a point and then Heslin blasted to the net.
Next up for Meath is the qualifiers.
Meath - P O'Rourke; J McEntee, C McGill, D Tobin; M Burke, D Keogan, B Menton (0-1); H Rooney, K Reilly; G Reilly (0-4), P Harnan, A Tormey (0-2); E Wallace (0-4), S Bray (0-3); B McMahon(2-2) Subs - A Flanagan for Rooney,D Dalton for Burke.
Black cards- G Reilly (replaced by M Newman (0-2) 46 mins, D Tobin (J wallace 61m.