McEntee reign off to a winning start
New manager Andy McEntee enjoyed the easiest of starts to his reign as Meath boss as his side recorded a comfortable 2-22 to 0-9 victory over Wicklow in today's lop-sided O'Byrne Cup clash in Pairc Tailteann.
In front of a large crowd McEntee handed debuts to Fiachra Ward, Kevin Ross and Jack Hannigan and they were largely untroubled against a Wicklow side who scored just three times from play compared 2-19 from play for Meath
It took until the third minute to start the flow of traffic towards the hospital end, but once it got going Meath were a juggernaut as they put Wicklow to bed before the eighth minute with Cillian O'Sullivan's goal giving the hosts a 1-4 to 0-0 lead.
Paddy Kennelly had the honour of claiming the first point of the Andy McEntee reign and seconds later debutant Kevin Ross doubled that advantage when he reacted quickest after his goal chance was smothered.
A brace of Fiachra Ward frees following fouls on new captain Graham Reilly made it 0-4 to 0-0 before O'Sullivan bagged the only goal of the half following a quick free and brilliant vision from Reilly.
Ward converted his third free in the 11th minute after the impressive Kennelly was fouled and the misery continued for Wicklow as Bryan McMahon and O'Sullivan increased Meath's tally to 1-7.
Paddy Byrne eventually took the blank look off Wicklow's scoreboard with a free, but after Kennelly claimed the first mark of the game Donnacha Tobin even found time and space to gallop forward and restore Meath's 10-point lead.
Ward's first from play was followed by goal chances for McMahoin and Sean Curran both of which sailed over the bar to make it 1-11 to 0-1.
McMahon clipped over his third and even an outstanding point from John McGrath couldn't inspire Wicklow as Graham Reilly completed the full house of scoring for all six forwards to ensure a 1-13 to 0-2 interval lead for Meath.
Wicklow treatened a better second-half witha brace of frees from McGrath, but Meath responded with score from Downey and Reilly to restore Meath's 14-point interval cushion.
Poimnts from O'Sullivan and Reilly either side of another McGrath free further emphasised Meath's supremacy and when McMahon beat Kevin Ross to the punch to claim Meath's second goal it heaped even more misery on Wicklow.
Bryan Menton joined the scoring ranks with a fine point, but Wicklow tried to stay in the game with Sean Furlong and McGrath adding two from play.
As both managers emptied their benchs play became scrappy. Meath added four of the last six scores with Willie Carry, Cian O'Brien and two for Curran completing the Meath tally while frees from McGrath and Byrne hardly added gloss to Wicklow's poor return.
Meath - Jack Hannigan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), Donnacha Tobin (Blackhall Gaels 0-1), Mickey Burke (Longwood); Conor Downey (Na Fianna 0-1), Shane McEntee (Dunboyne), Sean Curran (Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-3); Bryan Menton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-1), Cian O’Brien (Ratoath 0-1); Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey 1-2), Graham Reilly (St Colmcille’s 0-3), Paddy Kennelly (Dunderry 0-1); Kevin Ross (Castletown 0-1), Fiachra Ward (Wolfe Tones 0-4 three frees), Bryan McMahon (Ratoath 1-3). Subs - Sean Tobin (Simonstown) for Ward 47 mins, Adam Flanagan (Clonard) for Kennelly, Ruairi O Coileain (Navan O'Mahonys) for O'Sullivan both 55m, David McQuillan (St Patrick's) for Burke, Willie Carry (Drumbaragh 0-1) for Downey, Donal Lenihan (Dunboyne) for McMahon all 62m.
Wicklow – R Lambert; C Hyland, J Snell, B Kennedy; J Crowe, R O'Brien, D Hayden; A McLoughlin, D Boothman; R Finn, C fFrench, M Kenny; P Byrne (0-2 frees), G Allen, M O'Connor. Subs – J McGrath (0-6 four frees) for Allen 18 mins, S Furlong (0-1) for O'Connor, D Healy for McLoughlin both half-time, E Murtagh for Boothman 56m, M Fitzsimons for fFrench 58m, M Cullen for Crowe 59m,
Referee – Niall Ward (Westmeath).