Minor victory provides some respite for Meath officials

Meath negotiated a stern challenge from hosts Longford in the opening round of the Leinster MFC at Pearse Park on Saturday. The Meath boys had already defeated Longford in a Leinster MFL semi-final last month before losing out to Dublin in the decider at Pairc Tailteann. One negative arising out of that semi-final victory was a sideline ban for manager Andy McEntee and his Longford counterpart Colin Dalton and both mentors watched the action from the terrace at a compact and very tidy stadium. Meath had to work hard for this success and will take a lot of positives out of their performance, especially after the disappointment of the Leinster MFL final defeat by Dublin. The hosts started well and Rory Connor had Longford on the scoreboard inside 50 seconds, but a surging Declan Smyth run made the opening for Patrick Kennelly to draw the sides level by the fifth minute. Smyth caused a lot of problems for the Longford rearguard with a series of similar runs throughout the hour. Connor had Longford in front again soon after while Meath's Barry Dardis failed to score from a couple of good goal chances. The first chance for the Summerhill player arrived in the eighth minute when he raced through and hit the ball narrowly wide. A minute later Dardis had another chance, but this time his shot was saved by Longford goalkeeper Colm Farrell. Any thoughts Meath had of an easy victory were dispelled by some determined Longford tackling although Cillian O'Sullivan (pictured) tied the scores at 0-2 apiece at the end of the first-quarter. Larry Moran edged Longford ahead again when he got out to the ball smartly and turned away easily from Jason Dowdall before splitting the posts. Eamonn Wallace got Meath back on terms, but the concession of another point to Liam Connerton saw a change in the Meath rearguard with James O'Malley of Navan O'Mahonys replacing Dowdall who has had a hectic season as he enjoyed colleges' success with St Mary's, Edenderry. The change didn't work straight away as Longford's Ross McNerney, who was unlucky not to find the net a minute earlier, gave the hosts a two-point cushion. Meath were awarded a penalty in the 28th minute after Padraig Harnan was impeded and Dardis converted confidently from the spot. Moran had Longford on terms before James McEntee's goal attempt was parried out for a '45' that Stephen Coogan converted for a 1-4 to 0-6 interval advantage. Early second-half points from O'Sullivan and Coogan (free) extended Meath's lead, but Connor's free kept Longford in touch. O'Sullivan added another point for Meath following a good run before Longford wasted an excellent goal chance. They were punished for that when O'Sullivan split the posts again from a swift counter attack. Coogan added another point from a '45' which gave Meath a 1-9 to 0-7 third-quarter advantage although McGivney closed the gap with a well-taken point and then substitute Ciaran Mallon left only a goal in it when he split the posts from a free. Timmy Jackson saw his goal attempt parried out for a '45' by Robert Burlingham and then Meath countered with quick points from Ruairi O Coileain and O'Sullivan (free). Longford refused to surrender and another Mallon point was followed by one from Moran, but Meath saw out the remainder for a solid victory and a place in the knock-out phase of the competition. Meath - Robert Burlingham (Simonstown Gaels); Jason Dowdall (Clonard), Brian Power (Ratoath), David Toner (St Vincent's/Curraha); Declan Smyth (Dunsany), Shane McEntee (Nobber), Ruairi O Coileain (Dunsany 0-1); Padraig Harnan (Jenkinstown Gaels), Adam Flanagan (Clonard); Cillian O'Sullivan (Jenkinstown Gaels 0-5 one free), Patrick Kennelly (Dunderry 0-1), James McEntee (St Vincent's / Curraha); Barry Dardis (Summerhill 1-0), Eamonn Wallace (Ratoath 0-1), Stephen Coogan (Dunderry 0-3 two '45s' one free). Subs - James O'Malley (Navan O'Mahonys) for Dowdall 20 mins, Oisin Reilly (Gaeil Colmcille) for J McEntee 49m, Ciaran Gillespie (Summerhill) for Flanagan 50m, Conor O'Brien (Skryne) for Reilly 59m. Longford - C Farrell; M Mulligan, C Farrelly, J Gill; D McGivney (0-1), A McElligott, E Noonan; T Jackson, A Dalton; L Connerton (0-1), R McNerney (0-1), S Clarke; L Moran (0-3), R Connor (0-3 one free), J Earley. Subs - L Sullivan for Noonan half-time, P Farrell for McElligott 35 mins, C Mallon (0-2 frees) for Earley 46m, K Farrell for Connerton 50m. Referee - Fergal Smith (Offaly).