Meath champions held by Rathnew

Neither Rathnew nor Navan O'Mahony's would object in the slighest to postponing their Leinster club quarter-final replay next Saturday. A keenly competitive clash at Aughrim yesterday that ended all square as a result of an injury time pointed free by Rathnew's Darren Coffey had its casualties.

Injury-prone David Beggy sustained a lacerated chest, caused by studs. His colleague, Kenny McGuirk, was sent off in the final seconds for a second bookable offence and Rathnew's key forward, Ronan Coffey, sustained a leg injury in trying to blast home a goal shortly after half-time. Rathnew's goal scorer, Tom Gill, was on loan from Bray Wanderers but team manager Moses Coffey is hoping he will be available on Saturday in Navan.

Beggy was introduced as a substitute in the first half. He didn't get a lot to do but nonetheless started the determined Navan move that yielded the lead point by Martin Reilly three minutes from time. It was entirely fitting that the equaliser should come and it was scored by Darren Coffey from a long-range free a minute into injury time.

Rathnew had the strongest midfield in man of the match Declan Byrne and Darren Coffey. Their awareness under the ball and ability to take up loose positions enabled Rathnew to enjoy a territorial advantage in both halves. Damien Sheridan's move from full forward to the midfield sector, in an effort to curb the Wicklow duo, came a little too late.

Navan O'Mahony's, though, got more clear-cut chances in front of the posts, not least after only six seconds play when Martin Reilly should have had a goal instead of the point he took.

Then there was a fruitless short spell in the second half when Colm Kane and Gary Nelson squandered the simplest of chances for points. Substitute David Hosie had restored Navan's lead with almost his first touch, making these crucial wides all the more significant.

Meanwhile, Rathnew persisted in trying to make the most of their good possession. Mark Coffey was prominent at centre half back, and Mark Doyle, Trevor Doyle, Jim Snell and Tom Gill threatened up front. But it was ultimately a case of Rathnew failing to polish off the good work being done further back.

Gill could claim to have had the best score of the match. His goal was struck home with a powerful rightfooted drive at the end of a six-man move. He was later guilty of some wayward shooting, but this was almost forgivable considering the inspirational effect his goal had on the Rathnew team.

That classy goal came after 14 minutes and gave Rathnew the lead for the first time (1-2 to 0-4). Rathnew's poor finishing was contagious, however, and even Darren Coffey could not escape criticism. Navan's midfielder Derek Doonan did his best work by landing two points before the interval to give his team the lead at half time (0-6 to 1-2).

Rathnew's shortcomings were easily defined. They stopped scoring after Gill's goal and didn't resume until seven minutes after the restart with the wind on their backs. Points from Darren Coffey and Gill enabled them to level the sores 10 minutes into the second half.

Ronan Coffey's leg injury was sustained in a moment of bravery as he took on the Navan cover singlehanded, only for his attempted drive to be blocked down.

The sides were level again with seven minutes remaining, a situation that set the stage for a blistering closure. The bookings had mounted to five by this stage and McGuirk walked after a crunching tackle on Rathnew full back Eamonn White.

Beggy (31) is determined to recover full fitness after an injuryplagued two years. He has not abandoned the hope of playing for Meath again. Cruciate and cartilage injuries had kept him on the sidelines for over 18 months. Before setting off to have his chest injury treated he said: "Its good to be back again."

Rathnew: T Murphy; C Murphy, E White, V Collard; E Franey, M Coffey, T McDonald; D Coffey, (0-4 frees), D Byrne; M Doyle, T Doyle, J Snell (0-1); T Gill (1-1), R Coffey, K Gill. Subs: P Doyle for R Coffey (35 mins); R Dignam for C Murphy (40 mins); B Murphy for K Gill (53 mins).

Navan O'Mahony's: D Smyth; B O'Grady, B Reilly, B Murray; C O'Bric, K McGuirk, K Smith; A Reilly (0-1 free), D Doonan (0-2 one free); D Hillard, F Murtagh, G Nelson (0-1); C Kane (0-2, frees), D Sheridan, M Reilly (0-2 one free). Subs: D Beggy for B Reilly (17 mins); D Hosie (0- 1) for Murtagh (43 mins); D Carolan for Reilly (45 mins).

Referee: N Cooney (Offaly).