Bell goal secures sensational win for Meath

Meath won a thrilling Leinster MFC fourth round tie tonight at Pairc Tailteann when they edged Offaly by 1-13 to 1-12.
The win also secured a place in the semi-final with a game to spare.

David Bell's contribution took a toll on Offaly as he hit a sensational late goal that earned the Royals a reprieve after they were reduced to 14 players with seven minutes remaining.

Cian McBride picked up a second yellow card at a stage in the game when Offaly were after hitting the front from Mikey Cunningham's 50th minute goal - that was a speculative effort misjudged by Eoin Griffin.

At that stage it didn't look good for Meath, but the players showed tremendous spirit - evidence that the old Meath battling qualities and never say die attitude are still there - they fashioned an unlikely revival and claimed a merited victory to go clear and unbeaten at the top of the table.

The first-half was a slow-burner, but Luke Mitchell had Meath in front when he sent over a fine point in the fifth minute and the advantage was doubled 60 seconds later when Moynalty's Bryan McCormack arrowed a superb effort between the posts from close to the terrace sideline.

At the other end Offaly created chances, but poor finishing produced four successive wides before Mitchell extended Meath's lead from a free in the 10th minute.

Mitchell showed a deft touch for his third point soon after when he turned smartly and accelerated away from his marker which gave Meath a 0-4 to 0-0 first-quarter lead.

Although they added another four wides, Offaly took control for a five-minute spell and reeled of points from Sean Courtney (two), Enda Coughlan and Aaron Kellaghan for parity.

Meath replied positively with St Colmcille's player David Bell sending over four points in-a-row while Mitchell completed the first-half tally ahead of the break for a 0-9 to 0-4 advantage.

The Royals had enough in the tank to salvage victory with that gutsy second-half display that had the supporters on the edge of the seats.

Meath - Eoin Griffin (Clann na nGael); James O'Hare (Rathkenny), Harry O'Higgins (Round Towers), Conor Farrelly (Walterstown 0-1); Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown), Conor Harford (St Vincent's), Sean Coffey (Ballinabrackey); Adam Reilly (Moynalty), Cian McBride (St Ultan's); Luke Kelly (Na Fianna), Darragh Swaine (Clann na nGael), Bryan McCormack (Moynalty 0-2); Brian O'Hanlon (Navan O'Mahonys, David Bell (St Colmcille's 1-5 one free), Luke Mitchell (Dunshaughlin 0-5 one free). Subs - Adam Treanor (Walterstown) for Kelly, Niall Bennett (Kilmainhamwood) for Reilly and Colin Hawdon (Oldcastle) for Swaine all 44 mins, Oisin McCloskey (Na Fianna) for McCormack 58m.
Black card - C Hawdon (repleced by Joe Moore Seneschalstown 60 mins)

Offaly - S O'Toole; A Brazil, C Dolan, B Nolan; E Cullen, R Egan, H Balsiger; C Donoghue, M Tynan (0-1); P Bennett, D Lowry, M Cunningham (1-0); S Courtney (0-4), E Coughlan (0-1), A Kellaghan (0-3). Subs - C Flynn for Lowry half-time, J Bryant (0-3)for Coughlan 44 mins, L Pearson for Cunningham 59m.
Referee - Niall Ward (Westmeath).

                P W D  L  Pts
Meath      4 4 0     0 8
Wicklow   4 2 1     1 5
Dublin      4 2 0     2 4
Offaly       4 2 0     2 4
Louth       4 1 1     2 3
Westmeath 4 0 0     4 0

 

RESULTS

MONDAY 7th MAY
Wicklow(0-14)v(1-13)Offaly
Westmeath(2-7)v(2-20)Meath
Dublin(3-15)v(1-7)Louth

WEDNESDAY 23rd MAY
Louth(6-9)v(5-12)Wicklow
Meath(1-13)v(2-8)Dublin
Offaly(1-12)v(1-9)Westmeath
WEDNESDAY 30th MAY
Louth(0-12)v(4-14)Meath
Offaly(0-10)v(2-11)Dublin
Wicklow(2-20)v(2-4)Westmeath

WEDNESDAY 27th JUNE
Dublin(0-8)v(2-6)Wicklow
Meath(1-13)v(1-12)Offaly
Westmeath(2-11)v(3-11)Louth
NEXT UP

TUESDAY 3RD JULY
Westmeath v Dublin
Wicklow v Meath
Offaly v Louth

SATURDAY 7th JULY
Leinster MFC semi-finals
Leinster MF Shield semi-finals.

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