Hurlers into Christy Ring Cup semi-final
Meath hurlers advanced to the semi-final of the Christy Ring Cup with a hard-earned 0-22 to 1-16 victory over Kildare at Newbridge today in a tight game that required extra-time.
Kildare's Paul Divilly was red-carded in the opening period of extra-time and that gave Meath an opportunity to seize the initiative and secure a place in the last four.
Meath trailed by 0-7 to 1-9 at the end of the opening half after playing against the wind and forced extra-time in the second-half when substitute Bart Hanley pointed to tie the scores at 0-16 to 1-13.
Meath were ahead by 0-21 to 1-13 at the end of the first period of extra-time and maintained their composure to stay in control until the end.
Meath - Shane McGann; David Donoghue, Damien Healy, Cormac Reilly; James Kelly, James Toher, Sean Heavey; Stephen Morris, Mark O'Sullivan; Paddy Conneely, Steven Clynch; Eoin Marsh; Barry Slevin, Adam Gannon, Peter Durnin. Subs - Tom McGrath for Slevin 41 mins, Bart Hanley for Marsh 65m; extra-time - Stephen Donoghue for Heavey, Philip Garvey for Durnin.
OTHER RESULTS
Kerry enjoyed a 0-14 to 0-8 victory over Derry at Austin Stack Park to qualify for the semi-final directly also.
Wicklow got back into the quarter-finals with a 4-19 to 3-10 victory over Mayo while Down also made it with a 1-20 to 1-11 win against Armagh.
Wicklow and Down along with Kildare and Derry will play two quarter-finals next weekend.
Conall Collier