Meath into Leinster final
Second-half goals from Bryan McMahon and substitute Barry Dardis propelled Meath into the Leinster u-21 FC final against Dublin on Wednesday 2nd April in either Navan or Dublin following a 2-16 to 1-10 victory over Offaly tonight.
Meath played plenty of passing football in the opening half, but they also gifted a lot of possession to the opposition with some wayward passes which contributed to a one-point interval deficit.
A more direct Offaly were ahead by 1-6 to 0-8 at the interval with the goal on the stroke of half-time from Luke Kelly.
Meath had to work harder for their scores because of their tendency to over-pass, but they managed points from Joey Wallace (three), Bryan McMahon (two), Seamus Mattimoe, Neil Shortall and Conor Sheridan.
Offaly goalscorer Kelly also sent over a point with the Joe Maher (three), Sean Doyle and Ruairi McNamee completing the tally before the break.
Meath were more impressive after the resumption and reeled off another eight points but those goals made the difference.
Meath – Andy Colgan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Simon Carty (Dunderry), Conor McGill (Ratoath), David McQuillan (St Patrick's); Brian Power (Ratoath), Shane Melia (Donaghmore / Ashbourne); Shane McEntee (Dunboyne); Conor Sheridan (Simonstown Gaes 0-2), Adam Flanagan (Clonard); Neil Shortall (Curraha 0-1), Bobby O'Brien (Ratoath), Padraic Harnan (Moynavey); Seamus Mattimoe (Gaeil Colmcille 0-7 one free), Bryan McMahon (Ratoath 1-4), Joey Wallace (Ratoath 0-3). Subs – Cathal Finn (Dunboyne) for Power 39 mins,Barry Dardis (Summerhill 1-0) for McEntee 51m, Harry Rooney (Skryne) for Sheridan and Anthony Burke (Duleek/Bellewstown) for O'Brien 57m, Oran Fitzpatrick (Clann na nGael) Carty 59m
Offaly – C Clancy; S Moriarty, JO'Connor, D Corbett; KMullaly, P Foy, C McNamee; J Gettings, E Carroll; S Doyle (0-1), P Cunningham (0-1), A McDonagh (0-1); J Maher (0-3), L Kelly (1-2), R McNamee (0-2). Subs – D Byrne for Gettings 37 mins, A Shelly for Doyle 46m, C Moloney for Kelly 51m, N Bracken for Mullaly 58m, O Cusack for McNamee.
Referee – Anthony Nolan (Wicklow)
Conall Collier