Tailteann Cup semi-final
Antrim 2-14-2-16 Meath
Kevin Herron reports from Pairc an Chrócaigh
A brave Antrim fightback wasn’t enough to derail Meath as the Royals booked their place in the Final of the Tailteann Cup with a 2-16-2-14 win over Antrim at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saffrons led for the majority, but after Aghagallon’s Ruairi McCann converted a 36th minute free at the beginning of the second period, they had to play second fiddle to the dominant Meath men – who kicked 1-07 without reply.
Adam Loughran would bridge a 20-minute scoreless gap and Andy McEntee’s side soon found their scoring touch with a 63rd minute Paddy McBride goal giving them renewed vigour and setting up a grandstand finish.
They were unable to complete what would have been an historic comeback on Jones Road though but bow out of the Tailteann Cup with their heads held high.
McEntee made one change to his squad named pre-match as Joseph Finnegan replaced Eunan Quinn in midfield.
It was Antrim who settled quicker and took the lead through an Adam Loughran point, with Dominic McEnhill extending the advantage with his first converted free of the afternoon a few minutes later.
Aaron Lynch steadied himself and shot over a reply for Meath, though Mick Byrne dropped over a free after a pull-back on Declan Lynch.
Late Meath replacement Jack Flynn confidently swung a high shot over the bar- though Antrim tagged on the next two scores to open up a three-point deficit.
Loughran doubled his tally for the half after a little help from Hawkeye and Paddy McBride then popped over to make it 0-05-0-02.
Declan Lynch had prevented a dangerous opening from Cathal Hickey’s slipped pass inside. The Royals would find the net and level on the 12th minute via Aaron Lynch’s low deflected shot.
Points were traded between McEnhill (free) and Jordan Morris and Meath hit the front for the first time in the afternoon through a high Matthew Costello shot that dropped accurately between the posts.
The lead was short-lived though and Antrim would have the opportunity to regain the lead from the spot.
Meath corner-back Harry O’Higgins was adjudged to have pulled down Ruairi McCann and Sligo whistler Barry Judge signalled for a penalty.
Dominic McEnhill placed the ball and sent Meath keeper Sean Brennan the wrong way to give his side a 1-06-1-04 lead.
Aaron Lynch brought his tally to 1-03 for the afternoon after claiming an advanced mark and converting.
The Royals were almost in for their second goal with five minutes to the break, however Mick Byrne made a terrific save to deny Matthew Costello.
Jack O’Connor looked to have restored parity at the interval, but Mick Byrne landed a 45’ with the final kick to give his side a slender 1-07-1-06 advantage at the midway point.
Antrim extended their lead upon the resumption through a free from Aghagallon’s Ruairi McCann.
Conor Gray replied with a magnificent effort that squeezed inside the large posts and Jack Flynn’s second point of the afternoon restored parity at 1-08 apiece.
Meath led for the second time when Costello was pushed over, and he converted the resulting free.
His side would only go from strength-to-strength thereafter and they pulled clear of Antrim. On the 42nd minute Jordan Morris palmed down a high ball, won the chase and showed composure in slotting home to give Meath a 2-09-1-08 advantage.
James McEntee and Cathal Hickey provided points in the aftermath and goal scorer Morris clipped over back-to-back points to give his side a 2-13-1-08 lead, making it 1-07 without reply since the 37th minute.
Antrim were approaching twenty minutes without a score when Adam Loughran landed his third point of the afternoon.
The Saffrons were slowly regaining their belief and the McCann’s linked up- with Creggan’s Ruairi shooting over in his last contribution before departing.
A drag-back on Eunan Quinn allowed Dominic McEnhill to convert his fourth placed ball of the afternoon to make it three on the spin and close the gap to five.
Momentum was firmly with Andy McEntee’s charges and on the 63rd minute they found the net for the second time.
After a pointed effort came off the post, McEnhill collected the loose ball and had the presence of mind to pop the ball across to Paddy McBride- who palmed home and made 2-14-2-12.
Dermot McAleese popped over a point shortly after and Antrim made it 1-04 without reply and importantly ensured the bare minimum separated the duo.
Points were traded between Matthew Costello and McAleese as four-minutes was added at the end of the half. Meath pulled clear with a further Costello point and Jordan Morris’ third point of the half.
Antrim had a final opportunity to salvage a goal that would have forced extra-time. Mick Byrne came forward to drop a high ball into the square, it fumbled and broke to injury-time substitute Odhran Eastwood and his angled effort sailed between the high posts rather than the low post.
In the end a spirited comeback from the Saffrons came back just short and it was Meath who celebrated at the final whistle in booking a place in the Tailteann Cup decider in a few weeks’ time.
Antrim: M Byrne (0-02, 0-01f, 0-01 45’), P McCormick, P Healy, E McCabe, D McAleese (0-02), D Lynch, M Jordan, J Finnegan, C Hynds, P McBride (1-01), A Loughran (0-03), R McCann (0-01), R Boyle, R McCann (0-01f), D McEnhill (1-03, 1-00p, 0-03f). Subs: G Walsh for P Healy (16), E Quinn for J Finnegan (52), C Johnston for R McCann (62), C McLarnon for P McBride (64), O Eastwood (0-01) for A Loughran (70+3).
Meath: S Brennan, A O’Neill, R Ryan, H O’Higgins, D Keogan, P Harnan, S Coffey, J Flynn (0-02), C Gray (0-01), C Hickey (0-01), J McEntee (0-01), J O’Connor (0-01), J Morris (1-04), M Costello (0-04, 0-01f), A Lynch (1-02, 0-01am). Subs: C Caulfield for H O’Higgins (HT), D Lenihan for J McEntee (51), C O’Sullivan for A Lynch (53), D McGowan for J O’Connor (55), R Jones for C Hickey (65).
Referee: Barry Judge (Sligo)
