Meath survive brave wicklow challenge

Meath supporters leaving Pairc Tailteann this evening were relieved that their team was still in contention for for a place in the Leinster SFC final following a hard-earned victory over minnows Wicklow as the Royal County won a heart-stopping encounter by 2-19 to 3-12.

Wicklow were reluctant visitors to the Royal County and had sought a venue change some months ago after the Leinster Council gave Meath a first home championship tie for 20 years.

Wicklow finished with 13 men following second-half cards of various colours and Meath lost Paddy O'Rourke to a second-half black card with Oldcastle's Conor McHugh handed his debut to face a penalty that had to be re-taken because Mickey Burke did a Mick Lyons v Dublin for those of you who can remember that - if you don't know ask a stalwart Meath supporter to explain?

And the early exchanges suggested that Meath would win with plenty to spare as Navan O'Mahonys man Stephen Bray got to play in the Leinster SFC in Navan for the first time on his 43rd start for the Royal County.

Meath were ahead by 1-11 (Andy Tormey penalty goal) to 1-6 at the interval, but it was Wicklow who missed the best goal chances in that opening 35 minutes in front of a crowd of 8,417.

The spectators were served with a thriller and the action was non-stop in the second-half as the teams traded another goal apiece.

With Meath leading by 2-16 (Graham Reilly goal) to 2-10, Wicklow converted that re-taken penalty and closed the gap to only two points (3-11 to 2-16) late in the game.

That prompted manager Mick O'Dowd to send the injured Kevin Reilly into the fray and as Wicklow were reduced to 13 it gave Meath a bit of breathing space although Bray was denied a late goal by a fine save before an even later brace of points extinguised Wicklow's chances.

Meath will go to Croke Park on Sunday week to tackle Westmeath in the semi-final. Westmeath defeated Wexford by 1-21 to 0-15.