Meath draw in Newry

Meath senior football manager Mick O'Dowd continued his preparations for the forthcoming O'Byrne Cup with a challenge game against Down in Newry last evening. The game, which had a 5.30 throw-in, proved to be another useful exercise for O'Dowd and his management team of Trevor Giles, Sean Kelly and Colm Brady. Meath earned a draw (2-7 to 1-10) with a late goal from Ciaran McConnell. Meath trailed at the interval by a point, 1-4 to 0-8, and the team included Bryan menton at full-back and Jamie Queeney at full-forward while others who featured were Paddy Gilsenan, Donal Keogan and Davy Dalton. Meath - Davy Lyons (Seneschalstown); Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), Bryan Menton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Davy Dalton (Summerhill); Ciaran McConnell (Bective), Eoghan Harrington (Wolfe Tones), Ciaran Lenehan (Skryne); Conor Gillespie (Summerhill), Graham Reilly (St Colmcille's); Paddy Gilsenan (Oldcastle), Mark Collins (Duleek/Bellewstown), Peadar Byrne (Ballinlough); Dalton McDonagh (Na Fianna), Jamie Queeney (Na Fianna), Brian Farrell (Nobber). Meath will tavel to Ballymahon next Sunday for the opening game in the 2013 campaign when they tackle Longford in the first group game of the O'Byrne Cup.