MEATH and Cavan must meet again to decide who goes forward to the All Ireland under 21 football final following this enthralling semi final at Hyde Park Roscommon, yesterday evening.
A point in injury time by Roy Brennan from a free gave Cavan a deserved second chance after it appeared Meath had taken a firm grip on the game when they led by 1-7 to 0-4 at the interval.
Meath got off to a great start. In the first minute Barry Callaghan got a touch to a high ball from Ollie Murphy that ended up in the Cavan net.
Two points from captain Trevor Giles stretched Meath's lead and although Cavan battled back with four unanswered points - three from free taker Brennan and the fourth from Michael Graham - the Leinster champions finished the half strongly. Inspired by Giles, they went on to score five times in a six minute spell before the break.
Cavan came out fighting in the second half, however, and after Larry Reilly opened their account after two minutes, full forward Anthony Forde set the match alight with a goal, with a rasping shot from 15 metres.
Cavan levelled the scores (1-8 each) in the 18th minute of the half. Although Paddy Reynolds gave Meath a one point ad vantage again with five minutes remaining, the huge Cavan following in the attendance of 6,000 were very relieved to see Brennan give their side another chance with his last gasp equaliser.
A game that was always fiercely contested threatened to get out of hand midway through the first half when players from both sides became embroiled in a punch up.
