Meath exit All-Ireland MFC at semi-final stage

Galway proved too strong for Meath in the All-Ireland MFC semi-final at Croke Park today as they won convincingly by 3-13 to 2-9.

Meath were ahead by four points (2-4 to 0-6) at the interval, but they never found any realy fluency in that first 30 minutes.

Playing against the wind they were on the backfoot for most of the half as Galway enjoyed loads of possession, but were hampered 
by an inability to hit the target.

However, Galway scored good points from play with Cathal Sweeney (three), Aidan Halloran (two) and Daniel Cox the marksmen, but they also tallied five wides.

Goals from Luke Mitchell at the end of the first-quarter and from Luke Kelly close to the interval boosted Meath to that interval advantage and the points from a brace of David Bell frees and one each by Bryan McCormack and Matthew Costello gave them the edge.

Too many times in that opening half Meath gave up possession inside their own '45' and they also required a couple of smart saves
from Dunderry's Sean Brennan to deny Galway goals from Oisin Gormally and Eoghan Tinney. 

Galway lost Liam Judge to a 33rd minute black card as they managed an early Halloran point while Meath countered through Mitchell and Sean Coffey.

Galway got right back into the game with a goal from Tinney that left them two points adrift (1-7 to 2-6) with 20 minutes remaining.

It got better for Galway soon after when substitute Oisin McCormack burst through and rifled to the net.

Meath got back on terms when Mitchell sent over a difficult free, but Galway found the net again when Tony Gill finished well and 
then Conor Raftery and Halloran added points to ease Galway into a 3-9 to 2-7 lead.

With three minutes remaining Mitchell sent over a free, but Galway countered quickly with a Ryan Monahan point as the clock ticked into five minutes added time.

Further points from Monahan and Paul Kelly for Galway and Mitchell for Meath completed the tally.