North Meath start season with a win

Nicholas Pratt

North Meath were able to start this season on Sunday in the same way they finished the last one, with a win as they defeated Westmanstown Garda 20-10 away in the Leinster League Div 2B.

Having claimed the Division 3 title last season and gained promotion to a higher league, the Meath men were braced for a step up in competition with a team that mixed the experience of player coaches Simon Deevy and Conor Grey with the exuberance of young players making their debuts in the Leinster league.

However, any upgrade in rugby style in this opening fixture was offset against the heavy wind and rain swirling around the Westmanstown ground.

The first play of note came from the Garda when a 50/22 gave them a line out close to the North Meath tryline. A clearing kick from North Meath was then chased down by Joe Carry and Finn Mullan, one of the young debutants.

From the subsequent phases, the ball was turned over and Simon Deevy broke the line and fed Senan McDermott who was able to stroll in under the posts.

By now North Meath were starting to find their feet. A grubber from Adam Deighan almost found the speedy Mullan in the corner but it was just slightly overcooked. Shortly after it was the turn of the other young winger making his debut, Carl McGovern, to show his pace but unfortunately his chip bounced out before he could get his chase on North Meath then extended their lead when Andy Dowds got on the ball and Westmanstown Garda were unable to shift him.

Full back Carry slotted the penalty to make it 10-0. But the good work was somewhat undone when an unclaimed kick-off allowed Westmanstown Garda into the 22. Despite being held up twice, the home side eventually went over in the corner. Unclaimed kick-offs were proving contagious as Westmanstown Garda knocked on from the restart.

And a few plays later, came the moment of the match. A cross-field kick from fly-half Grey dropped delicately into Mullan's grateful arms in the try-zone to make it 15-5 at half-time.

There was a scrappy start to the second half due to a combination of early season fitness levels and increasingly poor weather. Amid the wonky lineouts and sliced spirals, there were was some pressure exerted from North Meath which eventually resulted in Deevy's outstretched hand grazing the try line to make it 20-5.

It was Westmanstown Garda that had the last say with a try at the death to make the final score 20-10. Although there was no bonus point, player coach Deevy was delighted with the win.

To date, each time North Meath have been promoted, they have come straight down the following season. And while there is still some way to go, it was a very promising start for the Meath men.

North Meath - Joe Carry, Carl McGovern, Simon Deevy, Senan McDermott, Finn Mullan, Conor Grey, Nathan Kiernan, Jack Yore, Adam Deighan, Padraic McGurl, Andrew Dowds, Andy Monaghan, Tommy Brady, Curtis Hunter, Graham Boland. Subs - Keith O’Neill, Patrick Farnan, Theo Chamberlayne-Daye, Brian O’Connor,