Plenty of scores as meath win again

Meath recorded a merited 1-17 to 1-9 second round O'Byrne Cup victory over Longford at Pairc Táilteann in Navan tonight in front of an estimated crowd of 500 and those who braved the cold saw the sides go in on level terms (1-5 each) at half-time.

Meath also had Andrew Tormey sent-off for two yellow cards - the second was in the 70th minute. While the second yellow was merited, it probably wouldn't have happened if the referee had dealt with an earlier incident that left Tormey on the ground. 

Meath were probably fortunate to be level at the break as Longford dictated the pace and it took a Sean Tobin goal off the Longford 'keeper three minutes from half-time to keep Meath in contention. 

Meath were forced into a change before the start when selected goalkeeper Andrew Markey twisted his knee in the warm up and had to leave the pitch on crutches. Paddy O'Rourke deputised and also managed to add another wide to his tally of missed 45s.

Meath took control after the resumption with Harry Rooney joining Andrew Tormey at midfield and Jamie Queeney going to full-forward where he sent over three points.

Ruairi O'Dowd also impressed and was the top scorer with four points.

Meath were ahead by 1-12 to 1-5 at the three-quarter stage - Longford managed four points in the last eight minutes.

With Westmeath defeating DCU it means that Meath can advance to the semi-finals with a draw or a win against the Students in Navan on Saturday night 7pm. 

MEATH

Paddy O'Rourke (Skryne); Simon Carty (Dunderry), Mickey Burke (Longwood), Nicky Judge (Ballinabrackey); Darren Brennan (Moynalvey), Neil Shortall (Curraha), Bryan Menton (Donaghmore / Ashbourne 0-2); Jamie Queeney (Na Fianna 0-3), Andy Tormey (Donaghmore / Ashbourne 0-2); Sean Tobin (Simonstown Gaels 1-0), Mark O'Sullivan (Moynalvey 0-2 one free), David Toner (Curraha 0-1); David Bray (Navan O Mahonys 0-1), Tom McCullen (Ballinlough), Ruairí O’Dowd (Walterstown 0-4).

Subs - Shane Melia for Shortall, Joey Wallace (Ratoath 0-2) for Bray, Harry Rooney (Skryne) for McCullen all half-time, Damien Carroll (Ballinabrackey) for S Tobin 48 mins, Donncha Tobin (Blackhall Gaels) for O'Sullivan 57m.

Referee - John Hickey (Carlow)