Meath edged out by a point

Meath lost by a point tonight (4-17 to 4-18) in an exciting third round Walsh Cup game against a strong IT Carlow side that comprised a number of Tipperary and Kilkenny players including Kevin Kelly who lined out in the 2016 All-Ireland final for Brian Cody's men against Tipperary.

Also included in the IT Carlow starting 15 was Meath captain for this year Damien Healy while Rathmolyon's Jack Fagan was named at corner forward on the team jointly-managed by DJ Carey and Michael dempsey, but he didn't start. Fagan transferred to Waterford last year.

This was a high-scoring encounter that saw Meath trail by 0-9 to 2-11 at the interval.

Meath produced a strong finish as they recovered from a 0-11 to 3-16 deficit at the end of the third-quarter and they would probably have won in about another two minutes.

Meath ultimately paid the penalty for conceding what was a very soft 64th minute goal when a long-range free from Michael O'Hanlon (Wexford) dropped into the net.

That left Meath adrift by 2-14 to 4-18, but a late flourish saw IT Carlow struggle against a fit home side that rattled in goals from Kilmessan duo Kevin Keena and Steven Clynch.

There was also a brace of points each from Clynch and Na Fianna's Johnny McCloskey who also netted in the second-half along with Neil Heffernan.

The win puts IT Carlow on top of the group on five points, but if Offaly defeat Kildare in the final group game, they will also have five points and scoring difference will apply.

Meath are definitely out and will head to Kilkenny on Saturday morning for a training weekend as the build up to the league contines.

See interview with selector John Andrews for updates on injuries and reaction to this game.

Full report in the Meath Chronicle out next Tuesday.

Meath - Shane McGann (Kiltale); Sean Geraghty (Kilskyre/Moylagh), Shane Whitty (Blackhall Gaels), Cormac Reilly (Navan O'Mahonys); Shane Brennan (Kilmessan), Keith Keoghan (Killyon 0-1), David Reilly (Drumree); Anthony Forde (Kiltale), Joey Keena (Kilmessan);James Toher (Trim 0-5), Cathal McCabe (Kiltale), James Kelly (Kiltale 0-1); Kevin Keena (Kilmessan 1-3), Neil Heffernan (Trim 1-0), Sean Quigley (Dunboyne 0-1).

Subs used (all second-half)
Charlie Ennis (Trim) for McGann
Michael O'Grady (Trim) for Kelly
Niall Weir (Boardsmill) for Quigley
Luke Martyn (Dunderry) for McCabe
Liam Ferguson (Gaeil Colmcille) for Reilly
Steven Clynch (Kilmessan 1-3) for J Keena
John McCloskey (Na Fianna 1-2) for Heffernan
Paudie Keogh (Kildalkey 0-1) for Toher