Laois 1-15 Meath 1-12: A GAP of six years was bridged at O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday as Laois advanced to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals for the first time since 2006 as Meath were flattered by the losing margin.
While Séamus McEnaney is usually not reticent in talking up his players, the Monaghan native was left to reflect on the sad statistic that none of his starting forwards managed to score from play.
Ross Munnelly’s goal from a penalty after 26 minutes was the game’s turning point and boosted the O’Moore County side to a 1-9 to 0-5 interval advantage after they had been favoured by the breeze and the driving rain.
The Laois goal was a giveaway, with Meath goalkeeper David Gallagher fouling Colm Kelly after losing possession and Munnelly tucking the penalty away.
McEnaney said he would decide in the next five days whether he wanted to be considered for a third year at the helm.
“It’s very disappointing to bow out of the championship, I thought we’d get a result but the first half performance was poor.
“We had six championship games this year and that’s good for Meath football. Also a number of young players were brought in and they showed promise for the future. I don’t want to use the six-day recovery period as an excuse.
“Laois were very good today and very competitive. I enjoyed the championship and now I will take a few days and see what I want to do.”
Justin McNulty was delighted at the way his charges had recovered following the Leinster defeat to Longford.
“The guys have shown great character in the face of enormous criticism,” he said. “The lads worked hard and played well as a team. Our lads were ready for this game . . . I have to be very satisfied with the performance of my team.”
Quigley and Colm Begley gave Laois the advantage at centrefield early on, while Kevin Meaney and John O’Loughlin were strong in the middle of their defence. The sides were level three times in the first half before a point from wing-back Darren Strong gave Laois a lead they did not concede.
Meath needed a positive start to the second half but instead Laois increased their advantage to 10 points with scores from Billy Sheehan, Munnelly and Pádraig Clancy.
The Royals depended on Brian Farrell’s frees too much for scores and after Jamie Queeney blasted wide from a good position, Peadar Byrne fired his fourth goal of the championship on 68 minutes.
Like six days earlier, a late surge could not save Meath and Laois, who picked up eight of the 10 yellow cards in the game, were well worth their win.
LAOIS:E Culliton; P O'Leary, K Meaney, C Healy; D Strong (0-1), J O'Loughlin, C Boyle; B Quigley (0-1), C Begley (0-1); R Munnelly (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free), P Clancy (0-2), G Walsh; D O'Connor (0-1), B Sheehan (0-1), C Kelly (0-2, 0-1 45). Subs: D Conway for Walsh (47 mins), MJ Tierney (0-2, 0-1 free) for Kelly (52 mins), P McMahon for Sheehan (57 mins), P Cahillane for Conway (66 mins). Yellow cards: O'Connor (18 mins), Meaney (21 mins), Munnelly (23 mins), Clancy (30 mins), Begley (34 mins), Healy (42 mins), McMahon (62 mins), O'Leary (66 mins).
MEATH:D Gallagher; D Keogan, B Menton, M Burke (0-1); D Carroll, S McAnarney, D Tobin; C Gillespie, G Reilly (0-1); A Forde, S Bray (0-1, free), B Meade; B Farrell (0-8, all frees), J Sheridan, C Ward. Subs: P Byrne (1-0) for Forde (21 mins), E Harrington (0-1) for Keogan (25 mins), J Queeney for Ward (46 mins), T Walsh for Carroll (50 mins), M Collins for Gillespie (60 mins). Yellow cards: Gallagher (25 mins), Bray (29 mins).
Referee:J McQuillan (Cavan).
