Meath exit Walsh Cup at Abbotstown

Meath's Wlash Cup journey ended at Abbotstown tonight where the Royals were clearly second best against Dublin in what was really a one-sided encounter.

The Meath players gave 100 per cent, but the gulf in class was evident with a gap of four grades beteen the teams, based on 2017 standings.

While Meath moved up to the third grade (Div 2A) in the NHL, Dublin competed in Div 1A in 2017 although they were relegated.

Then there was the Pat Gilroy factor - the former Dublin football boss was taking charge of the hurlers for the first time and a comprehensive victory was required.

With Johnny McCaffrey and Tom Connolly dominant at midfield for the Dubs, it was tough on Meath in the opening half and against the wind they trailed by 0-7 to 2-11 at the interval.

The concession of two goals in each half was disappointing for the Meath rearguard in which Ratoath's Darragh Kelly was deployed at full-back and he had a torrid outing against Dublin full-forward Paul Winters who finished with eight points, five in the opening half.

Fionn O Riain grabbed a goal in each for Dublin with Robbie McMahon and second-half substitute Cian McBride completing the goal tally.

Seven points in each half was a reasonable return for Meath with Jack Regan the top scorer with six.

James Kelly (three), James Toher, Paddy Conneely, Neil Heffernan and Eoin Marsh also sent over for Meath, but this was a learning curve for the players who were a little off the pace in comparision to the opposition.

The consolation for Meath is that they will not be facing teams of the calibre of Dublin in the forthcoming NHL Div 2A and the players will benefit enormously form the two games in five days that, crucially, brought an important win against Antrim last Saturday.

The task now for the manager Nick Fitzgerald and his selectors is to cut the panel ahead of the league opener against KIldare at the end of January.

Dublin - Alan Nolan; Paddy Smyth, Bill O'Carroll, Cian Hendriken; Shane Barrett, Darren Kelly, Chris Crumney (0-1); Johnny McCaffrey, Tom Connolly; Robbie McMahon (1-0), Fergal Whitely (0-3), Cillian Costello (0-1); Alan Moore (0-3), Paul Winters (0-8 four frees, one '65'), Fionn O'Riain (2-1). Subs - Cian McBride (1-0) for McMahon half-time, Sean O Riain for Kelly 45 mins, Darragh Gay (0-1) for Whitely 53m, James Madden for Barrett 60m, Paul Kelly for F O Riain 65m.

Meath  - Shane McGann; Chris Lynch, Darragh Kelly, Shane Brennan; Jack Regan (0-6 four frees), Damien Healy, Keith Keoghan; Anthony Forde, Michael O'Grady; James Kelly (0-3), Joey Keena, James Toher (0-1 free); Adam Gannon, Paddy Conneely (0-1), Neil Heffernan (0-1). Subs - Padraig Kelly for Brennan half-time, Eoin Marsh (0-1) for Forde 47 mins, Sean O'Hanrahan for Conneely 58m, Jack Walsh for P Kelly 70m.

Referee - Michael Murtagh (Westmeath)

SEE NEXT CHRONICLE FOR REACTION FROM SELECTOR MICHAEL KAVANAGH
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MEATH WALSH CUP STATS
 
First round - Meath 1-17, Antrim 0-19.
Second round - Meath 0-14, Dublin 4-18
SCORERS
0-13 - Jack Regan 11 frees.
1-6 -  James Kelly 
0-5 - Neil Heffernan
0-3 - James Toher 
0-1 -  Cathal McCabe, Paddy Conneely, Eoin Marsh, Anthony Forde.  
NEXT UP
Sunday 28th January - KIldare v Meath, NHL Div 2A.