Another minor defeat could have major consequences

The reaction that Meath was seeking in response to the poor showing against Kildare last week failed to materialise as they produced another very disappointing display when suffering their second reversal in the Leinster MFC against Louth by 0-11 to 1-10 at Hunterstown this evening, writes Sean Wall.

Meath were in the contest for most of they way and battled back from a slow start during which they conceded the opening three points to lead 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time.

Their display, particularly in the second quarter suggested that they were capable of a win, but they completely surrendered the initiative in the second half as Louth upped the tempo.

Meath added just a single score to their first half tally in 28 second half minutes and Louth were ahead by two before they struck for the decisive goal on 57 minutes.

It came from substitute Brendan Cassidy who got the vital touch to a delivery from Emmet Duffy ahead of 'keeper Cian Murphy. That left the hosts leading 1-9 to 0-7 and although Meath fought bravely in the closing minutes and outscored their opponents four points to one, that late goal proved the match winner.

Meath pressed hard to snatch a goal of their own in added time but Louth held out for what was a fully deserved win.

Louth’s play was much more cohesive throughout the pitch and they managed the terrible conditions much better as Meath made far too many basic mistakes.

The Wee County, fresh from their opening round win against Westmeath, bossed the exchanges from the early stages and for long spells played the much more positive football.

Joe Hanlon, who was Louth's top scorer on the night, opened his side’s account from a free and they were three points to the good after the impressive Cillian McQuillan and Luke Keenan added further scores.

Meath had to wait a full 15 minutes before Pat Crawley had them off the mark after bursting past a number of defenders and sending a shot goalwards that 'keeper Senon Connelly deflected over the crossbar.

Evan Kelly, who was Meath’s best attacker throughout, hit a brace of points to leave his side trailing by one after 19 minutes.

Louth responded with a point from Micheál O’Shaughnessy which left it 0-5 to 0-3 before Meath finished the half strongly as they moved the ball with pace. It yielded scores from Cormac Smith and Patrick Yourell before a Cormac Nugent free left Meath ahead by the minimum at the break.

Despite that positive finish to the opening half Meath were unable to maintain the momentum on the restart and Louth were level following a fine long range effort from Cillian McQuillan.

Joe Hanlon with his only point from play edged them ahead and it was a lead they maintained until the finish. Hanlon then converted a free before Donnacha Skinnader hit a great score from 45 metres to leave it 0-9 to 0-6 on 41 minutes.

Crawley again ended Meath’s long sequence without a score from a free but neither side could add to their tally until that crucial goal from Cassidy.

Five points in arrears Meath finally added some urgency to their play and sub Andrew Brien and Luke Keenan (free) swapped scores before three successive points from Crawley, two frees, and Evan Kelly reduced the deficit to two with two of the three added minutes played.

Goalkeeper Murphy lobbed a '45' into a crowded danger area in the final moments but it was a Louth player who won possession and cleared the danger before the final whistle sounded.

Defeat leaves Meath needing a victory over Westmeath next week if they are to progress to a preliminary quarter-final. There is also the fall back consolation of second and tird tier minor competitions, but Meath will need to improve significantly against Westmeath if they are to stay in the hunt for primary honours.

Louth – Senon Connelly; Ben McKeown, Fionn Coyle, Ciaran Devine; Conor Clinton, Donnacha Skinnader (0-1), Michael McGlew; Tom Maguire, Micheál O’Shaughnessy (0-1); Tadhg Devanney, Joe Hanlon (0-4 three frees), Cillian McQuillan 0-2; Shane McMahon, Andrew O’Reilly, Luke Keenan (0-2 one free). Subs: Emmet Duffy for Devanney 46 mins, Brendan Cassidy (1-0) for O’Reilly 50m, Ewan Hoban for Hanlon 56m, Flynn Markey for Keenan 60m.

Meath - Cian Murphy (St Patrick’s); Cillian Yore (St Ultan’s), Sean McLoughlin (Dunderry), Thomas Sheridan (Oldcastle); Cian Tobin (St Peter’s), Conor Black (St Patrick’s), Eoin McCrudden (St Peter’s); Cathal Barron (Dunderry), Jack Doyle (St Peter’s), Cormac Smith (Clann na nGael 0-1), Patrick Yourell (O’Mahonys 0-1), Cormac Nugent (O’Mahonys 0-1 free); Evan Kelly (Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-3), Ciaran Sheridan (Dunderry), Pat Crawley (Oldcastle 0-4 three frees). Subs - Conal Diggins (Ballivor) for Tobin 22m, Andrew Brien (St Mary’s 0-1) for Nugent 38m, Charles McCarthy (Seneschalstown) for Yore, Sean McQuillan (St Colmcille’s) for Yourell both 44m, Evan Demange (Drumbaragh) for McCrudden 54m.

Referee – Enda Kelly (Westmeath).