North Meath claim nail biting win

Leinster League 2B

Nicholas Pratt

Portarlington..35

North Meath...38

North Meath celebrated a vital win in their Leinster League campaign on Sunday, prevailing in a tight game against Portarlington

And just like the home win against Roscrea last month, the game was decided by a kick of the boot.

The game started with a succession of missed penalty attempts from both teams. But it was out half Joe Carry that broke the deadlock, running in under the posts and then converting his own try.

Hooker Adam Deighan then added a second try, also converted, to put the visitors ahead 14-0.

There was still time for Portarlington to pull a try back before the break, leaving it 14-7 to North Meath at half-time.

The home team started the second-half as they finished the first, quickly scoring two tries to put themselves in front for the first time in the game. The lead did not last long though. Centre Senan McDermott scored for the visitors to tie the game at 21-21.

Portarlington then scored again to reclaim the lead as the game entered a frantic phase with the lead changing hands more often than a chronic cheat in a card game.

Another McDermott try brought the sides level. Again. And then a Carry penalty edged North Meath ahead as the final stages beckoned.

When Andrew Dowds went over for another try, North Meath had a 10 point lead but any suggestion that it gave them some breathing space was quickly quashed when Portarlington scored the game's tenth try to make it a three point game and a frantic finale.

Unsurprisingly, the home team threw everything at North Meath who were forced to defend in their own 22 for the final five minutes. Some dogged resistance ensued, including holding up Portarlington on the line.

When North Meath won a turnover on the final play, the ball was swiftly booted off the park to spark the celebrations on the sideline.

Coach Simon Deevy praised the entire squad for their match-winning performance. Some strong carries from Padraic McGurl, Adam Deighan and Andrew Dowds set the platform while the back row of Henry Armstrong, Patrick Farnan and Tommy Brady all had exceptional games.

Half-backs Joe Carry and Nathan Kiernan controlled the game’s tempo well while the centres Cian Doogan and double try-scoring McDermott were strong in defence.

The back three of Sean O’Reilly, Louis Finnegan and Jordan Herring all looked dangerous with ball in hand while the rest of the pack – Eoghan Cosgrave, Graham Boland, Peter Flanagan, Jack Yore, Keith O’Neill and Sammy Bashford all put in valuable shifts.

The result makes it three wins in a row for North Meath and moves them up to fourth in the table. With just six points separating the top five sides, there is everything to play for.

North Meath - Jordan Herring, Sean O`Reilly, Cian Doogan, Senan McDermott, Louis Finnegan, Joe Carry, Nathan Kiernan, Padraic McGurl, Adam Deighan, Jack Yore, Daniel Adekunle, Peter Flanagan, Henry Armstrong, Tommy Brady, Patrick Farnan

Replacements: Keith O'Neill, Sammy Bashford, Andrew Dowds, Eoghan Cosgrave, Graham Boland

Tries: Carry, Deighan, McDermott (2), Dowds

Conversions: Carry (5)

Penalties: Carry