February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Thirteen first-half wides, many from free taker Shane McAnerney, prevented Meath from putting this match away. When referee Ger Devlin pointed to the penalty spot, Down were poised to take an unlikely lead.
Devlin, linesman in the Down-New York hurling match, was well positioned to see Down full forward Ciaran Fearon dragged down after his goal try was denied. Wingback Paddy Morgan confidently stepped forward and stuck the ball in the back of the net and Down were leadng 1-0 to 0-2.
Meath quickly regained control with midfielder Jamie Shaw leading the way. Shaw rose high for several great catches to spur Meath’s attack. Meath points from Brian Newman and McAnerney set the stage for Declan McGovern’s goal that floated in over the keeper’s head. There was no quit in Down however and they went to the break trailing by just 0-4, 1-5 to 1-1.
After midfielder Clint Travis opened the second-half scoring with the first of two awkward-looking points, the match took a bad turn for the underdogs.
Fullback Mark Kelly was pulled for a hard tackle and as everyone waited for the yellow card to be produced referee Devlin surprised one and all when he showed Kelly a straight red. Down responded well with two outstanding points from full forward Ciaran Fearon, but Meath eventually wore down the Mournmen as they brought their record level.
Man of the Match: Declan McGovern
Meath: Chris Clarke, Ciaran Gaughan, Mike Rennicks. Eoin Loughnane, John Smith, David Callaghan, Seamus DeBruin, Clint Travis (0-2), Jamie Shaw, Declan McGovern (1-1), Shane McAnerney (0-5, 3 frees), James Fanning (0-1), Michael Harrington, Brian Newman (0-3), Sean Maher Subs: Stephen Kane (0-2), Cathal Loughnane.
Down: Darren Quinn, Darrell Farrell, Mark Kelly, Chris Feeney, Paddy Morgan (1-0, peno), Noel Magee, Aidan Rooney, Liam Farrell (0-1), Liam Rooney, Ciaran McBride, Kevin Coulter (0-1), Alan Keough, Martin Rooney (0-1), Ciaran Fearon (0-2), Ronan Mulligan.