Meath lose to Laois in Leinster SHC

Meath were out-played by Laois in the second round of the Leinster SHC at Pairc Tailteann today and lost out by some 15 points as Laois made it two wins of two with a 3-25 to 2-13 victory.

Meath manager Martin Ennis made one change to the team that defeated Kerry with Sean Geraghty coming in at full back for Damien Healy who limped out of the game against Kerry last week.

Laois also made some changes to the selecte team with Sean Downey, Matthew Whelan and Neil Foyle all starting while they also had to bring in Ben Conroy for corner back Cahir Healy who picked up an injury in the 13th minute.

Meath were well in contention for the opening 20 minutes despite playing against the wind as the sides shared 10 points with Steven Clynch send over from play, from a free and from a '65' while Sean Quigley and Mark O'Sullivan also split the posts.

Laois stayed in touch through points from midfielders Ross King (three) and Patrick Purcell (two).

However, Meath managed only two more points for the remainder of the half with Adam Gannon and Clynch (free) on target as the hosts completely lost touch.

Crucially Laois added three well-taken goals from Purcell who also added three points, a feat that was matched by his midfield partner King.

Further points from Neil Foyle and Aaron Dunphy eased Laois into that comfortable 3-13 to 0-7 interval advantage and they comfortable added a dozen more points after the resumption for a thoroughly merited victory.

Meath never gave up and kept picking off scores with goals from substitute Neil Heffernan, after a Clynch effort was blocked, and Joey Keena, but it was nothing more than papering over the cracks on this occasion.

Meath also finished with 14 men after Keith Keoghan collected a second yellow card, but with about 10 minutes remaining at that stage the dismissal had no bearing on the outcome.

Another steep learning curve for Meath, but they can still qualify for the knock-out phase if they can negotiate Westmeath in the third round in Mullingar in a fortnight.

However, if Meath were to lose that game and Kerry avoid a defeat against Laois, then Meath would be relegated - so planty to play for still.

Meath - Shane McGann (Kiltale); Shane Whitty (Blackhall Gaels), Sean Geraghty (Kilskyre / Moylagh), Cormac Reilly (Navan O'Mahonys); Shane Brennan (Kilmessan 0-1), Daragh Kelly (Ratoath), Keith Keoghan (Killyon 0-1); Anthony Forde (Kiltale 0-1), Joey Keena (Kilmessan 1-0); Sean Quigley (Dunboyne 0-1), Steven Clynch (Kilmessan 0-6 four frees, one '65'), James Kelly (Kiltale); Gavin McGowan (Ratoath), Mark O’Sullivan (Kiltale 0-1), Adam Gannon (Killyon 0-1). Subs - Neil Heffernan (Trim 1-1) for Quigley and Kevin Keena for McGowan both half-time, Cathal McCabe for J Kelly 58 mins, Peter Farrell for Clynch 60m, David Reilly for O'Sullivan 65m.

Laois - Enda Rowland; Cahir Healy, Leigh Bergin, Dwane Palmer; Ciaran Collier, Charles Dwyer, Lee Cleere; Ross KIng (0-11), Patrick Purcell 3-6; Sean Downey (0-1), Matthew Whelan, Neil Foyle (0-2); Willie Dunphy (0-1), Stephen Maher, Paddy Whelan. Subs - Ben Conroy (0-1) for Healy 13 mins, Aaron Dunphy (0-1) for Whelan 48m Aidan Corby (0-2) for Foyle 60m, Eric Killeen for Dwyer 62m Stephen Bergin for Maher 66m
Referee - John Keenan (Wicklow).

RESULTS

First round - Meath 3-20, Kerry 2-17; Laois 1-23, Westmeath 2-17.

Second round - Meath2-13, Laois 3-25; Westmeath 2-12, Kerry 0-20.

NEXT UP

Sunday 14th May - Westmeath v Meath; Kerry v Laois