Royals lose their way as the Kingdom reigns

Despite looking at one stage like they would win pulling up Meath stumbled and fell in the second-half leaving the way open for Kerry to surge to a deserved victory in the All-Ireland B u-20 HC semi-final at Semple Stadium today.

Early in the second-half Meath lead by eight points, 1-15 to 1-7, and looked poised to push on to victory but instead they were overtaken by a Kerry side inspired by Barry O'Mahony who came on at the interval and transfomred the game. 

O'Mahony had played for Kerry in their defeat to Cork in the Munster u-20 FC final on Thursday and turned out for his club in a SHC game in Kerry on Friday evening yet he still had enough in the tank to shape the outcome of this contest, finishing up with eight points, four from frees. 

Brian Dowling scored Meath goals in the opening seconds of the game with with Mickie Mullen going on to get 11 points, seven free, one super sideline cut. Dowlinig (three), Callum O'Sullivan (two), Nicky Potterton, Vincent Ward and Daithi McGowan also pointed for Meath who were excellent in the opening half but completely lost their way in the second-half. 

Meath goalkeeper Eoin Griffin also made a super save from an O'Mahony penalty in the second-half. 

Meath simply couldn't find an answer to the kind of quality O'Mahony brought to the game as the Munster side steadily hauled Royals back before pushing on to wrap up victory with a late second goal from Declan O'Donoghue. 

Meath had excellent performances, in the first-half at least, from the like of Cormac Butler, Jacob Ryan and Mullen but they couldn't halt Kerry's march to victory. 

SEE MATCH REPORT, QUOTES AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE GAME IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE  

SCORERS

Kerry - Barry O'Mahony 0-8, four frees; Michael Slattery 1-5; Michael Lenihan 0-3 one '65'; Declan O'Donoghue 1-0; Donal O'Sullivan 0-3; Conor O'Keeffe 0-1; Shane McElligott 0-1. 

Meath - Mickie Mullen 0-11 seven free, one sideline cut; Brian Dowling 1-3; Callum O'Sullivan 0-2; Nicky Potterton 0-1; Vincent Ward 0-1; Daithi McGowan 0-1.