Meath exit Leinster in Mullingar

Meath's brief affair with the Leinster SHC ended today in Mullingar when they lost out to Westmeath by two points (0-19 to 1-18) and also exited the competition with relegation back to the Christy Ring Cup on scoring difference.

Meath were adrift by three points at half-time (0-6 to 0-9) after absorbing a lot of first-half wind-assisted Westmeath pressure.

Meath started well and matched the hosts for the opening 13 minutes as the sides traded six points. Steven Clynch, Adam Gannon and Mark O'Sullivan split the posts for Meath with Alan Devine (two frees) and Killian Doyle on the mark for the hosts.

Meath then endured a 16-minute barren spell during which they hit some poor wides as Westmeath eased clear with Devine (two frees) and Derek McNicholas adding the points against an under-pressure Royal rearguard.

Clynch made an opening in the 26th minute and Keith Keoghan sent over, but it was only a temporary reprieve as Devine sent over another brace (one free) and Killian Doyle claimed an huge score from distance.

Meath looked like they were beginning to lose touch, but manager Martin Ennis made some changes with James Kelly and Gavin McGowan introduced for Kevin Keena and Neil Heffernan.

Heffernan was totally ineffective at full-forward against a tall full-back in Tommy Doyle who had it easy up to that stage.

Then McNicholas saw red following a challenge on Meath's Shane Brennan and the Royals finished the half with a flourish as Kelly added a two late points to reduce the deficit to two points.

Westmeath maintained a grip on the game during a hard-fought third-quarter with Killian Doyle's crucial as it gave the hosts a 1-13 to 0-12 third-quarter.

Cormac Boyle, Aonghus Clarke, Robbie Greville and Devine claimed the points.
Despite the benefit of the extra man, Meath could only muster points from Keoghan, Clynch (two frees), Gannon, McGowan and Darragh Kelly.

Westmeath continued to add the points with Greville, Doyle and Devine on target before Meath staged a late rally with Gannon (two), Darragh Kelly, Clynch (two), Sean Quigley and James Kelly sending over.

However, the hosts had enough in the tank with Devine (free) and Clarke adding the extra points, but it was the performance of full-back Tommy Doyle that made the difference.

Westmeath - Paddy Maloney; Conor Shaw, Tommy Doyle, Tommy Gallagher; Aaron Craig, Paul Greville, Shane Power; Cormac Boyle (0-1), Gary Greville; Alan Devine (0-9 eight frees), Aonghus Clarke (0-2), Niall Mitchell; Killian Doyle (1-3), Derek McNicholas (0-1), Robbie Greville (0-2).

Subs - Niall O'Brien for Gallagher 55 mins, Joey BOyle for Mitchell 64m, Jack Galvin for Doyle 68m, Darragh Egerton for Shaw 69m.

Meath - Shane McGann; Shane Whitty, Daragh Kelly (0-2 one free), Cormac Reilly; Shane Brennan, Damien Healy, Keith Keoghan (0-2); Anthony Forde, Sean Geraghty; Kevin Keena, Joey Keena, Stven Clynch (0-5 three frees); Mark O'Sullivan (0-1), Neil Heffernan, Adam Gannon (0-4).

Subs - James Kelly(0-2) for K Keena 27 mins, Gavin McGowan (0-1) for Heffernan 35m, Sean Quigley (0-2 one free) for J Keena, Cathal McCabe for Gannon 62m, Padraig Kelly for Clynch 68m.

 

Referee - Colum Canning (Antrim).