Monaghan battle back

NFL DIVISION TWO Meath 0-12 Monaghan 0-12THE sides were level at half-time and full-time in this well-contested clash at Páirc Tailteann on Saturday night, with Monaghan coming back from a deficit of four points to deny Meath a third successive victory.

After seven early wides (five by the home team), Tommy Freeman hit the first score on 12 minutes. But Monaghan only held the advantage briefly before points from Stephen Bray and Caoimhín King gave Meath the lead which they held for most of the encounter.

Both managers were relieved to get something from the tie.

“The overall performance was quite good and the only disappointment was that we didn’t convert more scoring chances. The lads are giving their all and we can’t ask any more than that,” said Meath boss Eamonn O’Brien.

“I’m really proud of the lads, they showed great character to battle back and get something from the game. Meath were the better team on the night and so it’s great to go away with a draw,” said Monaghan’s Séamus McEnaney.

It was 0-7 each at the break, Meath having earlier forged into a 0-7 to 0-4 lead. Cian Ward scored four points after firing a shot against the crossbar, while Bray and Monaghan’s Tommy Freeman failed to convert goal chances.

Mark Downey reduced the arrears before two points from Paul Finlay completed Monaghan’s first comeback of the night. Then it took them 19 minutes to score in the second period.

Meath resumed in flying style with Ward (twice), Séamus Kenny and Bray getting on target in the opening eight minutes. But then they only managed to add one more score, put over by King.

Two converted frees by Finlay and a Dessie Mone effort enabled the visitors to share the spoils.

MEATH:P O'Rourke; C O'Connor, A Moyles, E Harrington; S Kenny (0-1), K Reilly, D Flood; M Ward, N Crawford; S McAnarney, C Ward (0-6, three frees), B Meade; S Bray (0-3), C King (0-2), R Maguire. Subs:N McKeigue for Harrington (yellow card, 54 mins), B Regan for Meade ((57 mins), P Byrne for Kenny (yellow, 63 mins), D Sheridan for M Ward (67 mins).

MONAGHAN:S Duffy; D Mone (0-1), JP Mone, V Corey; C McManus, G McQuaid, D Hughes; D Clerkin (0-1), O Lennon; S Gollogly, P Finlay (0-6, three frees), M Downey (0-2); R Woods, R Ronaghan, T Freeman (0-1). Subs:D Freeman for Ronaghan (half-time), C Hanratty (0-1) for McManus (48 mins), D McArdle for JP Mone (50 mins).

Referee:M Duffy (Sligo).