Bulfin's men put Wicklow to the sword

As starts go Meath's opening joust in the NHL Div 2B at Pairc Tailteann today was just about perfect.

They won, 2-24 to 2-14 despite playing 40 minutes of the game a man down. It was a victory for tenacity and not a little enterprise.

Wicklow arrived at the Brews Hill venue as one of the teams that might be expected to run the Royals close for the one promotion spot on offer but they were put to the sword by Seoirse Bulfin's side who led from start to finish.

They were in front 0-12 to 1-6 at the interval and apart from a brief wobble in the second-half when they conceded the initiative the home team never looked like they they were going to stumble to defeat.

They won with 10 points to spare despite having Damien Healy sent off on the half-hour mark. It was a very hard call on the Longwood man. Sure his tackle on Wicklow's Luke Maloney was a little heavy. Sure Maloney was sent tumbling and had to receive treatment but the Wicklowman was up and about soon after.

There was no way Healy's tackle could be deemed malicious. Awkward yes, but there were gasps among the small number of spectators present when referee Conor Doyle from Tipperary, who overall had a good game, showed the red card.

The dismissal clearly caused Meath difficulties but they dealth with that, got around the problem, as they did in grappling with all the other obstacles they faced in this game.

They dug in, worked harder and pushed on from there to secure the win that sets Bulfin's team up nicely ahead of their trip to Sligo for their next assignment.

Lacking fizz and panache in their lost to Kildare the previous week, Meath certainly showed plenty of energy and conviction in this game; the victory constructed around some superb displays particularly from James Toher at center-half-back and Eamon Og O Donnchadha who ended up with a modest three points but got in a great deal of good work.

The fact that 11 Meath players got on the scoresheet indicates the threat they posed with Podge O'Hanrahan showing the way with 11 scores. His points came from seven frees, a couple of 65s and, most memorably, a sweetly struck sideline cut. Magic.

Kyle Donnelly hit a fine score from distance shooting between the posts from well inside his own half to cap another industrious display. James Kelly, Pa Ryan, Nicky Potterton, Healy, the impressive Patrick Barnwell and Jack Regan also lofted over. Barnwell's two points were skilfully taken. He's a man who has really nailed down his place in the scheme of things. Simon Ennis is another who showed up well.

Meath were particularly adept at playing the ball into the space where forwards could run into. Sean Quigley was another player who benefited from this approach. He finished up with 1-3 his goal arriving on 41 minutes. The score was the end product of one of a number of well-structured Meath attacks when they moved the ball through the lines before feeding a forward.

Stephen Morris and Padraig O'Hanrahan worked the ball to O Donnchadha. The Clann na nGael man off-loaded a clever pass to Quigley who surged towards goals. It looked like he might be prevented from getting a shot away but he managed to escape the clutches of his marker and fired to the net.

The goal was the highpoint of a blistering, full-on start to the second-half from the home side that ensured they surged into a 1-17 to 1-6 advantage with those 41 minutes played. Wicklow too had their spell of dominance in the second-half but Meath, helped by some tenacious defending, were able to protect their lead.

The Gardan County pruned Meath's lead to five points at one stage in the second-half with one of their dangermen Andy O'Brien coming on to muster 1-5, but never looked like building up enough momentum to overtake the Royals who finished with a flourish.

Meath's second goal arrived right at the end. Again it was the product of a sweeping move that carried all the threat of a rapier thrust. Jack Regan fed the ball to O Donnchadha who again off-loaded to Mikey Cole who sliced the ball to the net.

The Royals might reflect on the way they were exposed for Wicklow's two goals scored by Seanie Germaine and Andy O'Brien. Germaine's goal especially was the end product of a piercing move that exploited a gap in the home battlements. It arrived on 36 minutes and looked like it could be the start of a sustained Wicklow revival.

It didn't turn out like that as the home team, without Healy, dug in and got the win their sweat,.enterprise and effort deserved. Bulfin's men are on their way.

SCORERS

Meath - Podge O'Hanrahan 0-11 seven points, three 65, one sideline cut; Sean Quigley 1-2; Mikey Cole 1-0; Eamon Og O Donnchadha 0-3; Patrick Barnwell 0-2; Kyle Donnelly 0-1; James Kelly 0-1; Pa Ryan 0-1; Nicky Potterton 0-1; Damien Healy 0-1; Jack Regan 0-1.

Wicklow - Andy O'Brien 1-5 four frees; Gavin Weir 0-4 frees; Seanie Germaine 1-0; Daniel Staunton 0-2; Diarmuid Masterson 0-1; David Maloney 0-1; Luke Evans 0-1.

TEAMS

Meath - Charlie Ennis; Stephen Morris, Sean Geraghty, Brendan McKeon; Kyle Donnelly, James Toher, James Kelly; Pa Ryan, Nicky Potterton; Simon Ennis, Damien Healy, Niall McLarnon; Sean Quigley, Eamon Og O Donnchadha, Padge O'Hanrahan. Subs - Jack Regan for Ryan 49m, Patrick Barnwell for McLarnon 55m, Shane Brennan for Geraghty 56m, Mikey Cole for Quigley 61m, Daire Shine for O'Hanrahan 71m.

Wicklow - Cian Staunton; Ben Kearney, Peter Keane, Tommy Collins; Andrew Kavanagh, Padraig Doyle, John Henderson; Luke Maloney, Padraig Doran; Daniel Staunton, Seanie Germaine, Diarmuid Masterson; Mikey Lee, David Maloney, Gavin Weir. Subs - Andy O'Brien for Lee 40 mins, Eoghan Byrne for Keane 41m, Luke Evans for Germaine 50m, Martin O'Brien for Collins 52m, Torna Mulconry for Weir 58m.

Referee - Conor Doyle (Tipperary).