Weir's men undone by Down goals
Despite putting up a spirited display that pushed the visitors all the way Meath lost out to Down, 1-19 to 2-18, in the National Hurling League Div 2A at Trim today.
The concession of two soft goals proved particularly costly for the home side who never led. Meath also had David Reilly red-carded in injury time.
Meath trailed 0-11 to 2-9 at the interval and while Damien Healy found the net for Royals two minutes into the second-half they were unable to build on that and push on to win.
Instead Down made the most of a series of unforced errors committed by Nick Weir's team with the manager afterwards left lamenting the concession of the goals and the errors.
With 63 minutes on the clock Meath briefly drew level but they were unable to close out the deal.
Daithi Sands and Chris Egan found the net for the Ulster side, making the most of some loose marking in the Meath defence.
Jack Regan showed the way for Meath scoring 12 points, 10 frees, one '65' while Nicky Potterton, Mark O'Sullivan, Adam Gannon, Patrick Potterton, Sean Geraghty and Eamon O Donnchadha added points.
However Down were able to respond each time to Meath's attempt to gain control and win. Next up for Meath is Westmeath.
SCORERS
Down - Oisin McManus 0-5 one free; Paul Sheehan 0-5 four frees; Daithi Sands 1-1; Chris Egan 1-0; Conor Woods 0-2 frees; John McManus 0-1; Matt Conlon 0-1; Ryan McClusker 0-1; Donal Hughes 0-1; Barry Trainor 0-1.
Meath - Jack Regan 0-12 10 frees, one '65'; Damien Healy 1-0; Nicky Potterton 0-2; Mark O'Sullivan 0-1; Patrick Potterton 0-1; Adam Gannon 0-1; Sean Geraghty 0-1; Eamon O Donnchadha 0-1.
TEAMS
Down - Stephen Keith; Gerard Hughes, John McManus, Tom Murray; Matt Conlon, Conor Woods, Caolan Teggart; Donal Hughes, Chris Egan; Daithi Sands, Paul Sheehan, Ryan McClusker; Oisin MacManus, Eoghan Sands, Liam Savage. Subs - Michael Hughe for G Hughes 41 mins, Barry Trainor for Egan 45m, Ronan Costello for E Sands 51m, Padraig Doran for Sheehan 64m.
Meath - Charlie Ennis; Sean Geraghty, Shane Whitty, Brendan McKeon; James Kelly, Michael Burke, Shane Brennan; David Reilly, Patrick Potterton; Mark O'Sullivan, Adam Gannon, Jack Regan; Nicholas Potterton, Damien Healy, Stephen Morris. Subs - Callum O'Sullivan for N Potterton 42 mins, Ger Murphy for Burke 52m, Eamon O Donnchadha for P Potterton 54m, Jack Walsh for Kelly 63m.
Referee - Shane Hynes (Offaly).