Meath v Kildare U21

[The Claw]

Cant find a report of the game anywhere, anyone at it? Sounded like a cracker on the radio. Meath were 6 points down at one stage, 4 down at half time, draw at full time and after the extra time the final score was
Meath 3.13, Kildare 1.15.

[Dinny Breen]

Meath 3-13    Kildare 1-15

(After extra-time)

AFTER trailing by six points in the opening period, Meath battled back to get the better of Kildare in extra time in this Leinster U21 FC tussle at Páirc Tailteann.

It was a sweet success for Dudley Farrell's side as the Lilywhites had put out their Royal rivals in this championship in each of the previous two years, and the visitors looked to be in a strong position when leading by 1-9 to 1-2 after 22 minutes.

But there was a strong wind blowing and Meath did not panic, soon getting the arrears down to four points, and their ability to strike for crucial goals was a huge asset.

Kildare had looked threatening in attack and picked up some well-taken points in the first half.

Padraig O'Neill was showing up well at full-forward and Mark O'Sullivan and Alan Smith put over some fine scores. Meath went into the lead (1-1 to 0-2) after seven minutes when David Bray finished to the net following a free by Cian Ward.

But that was answered a couple of minutes later when Tomas O'Connor - son of the Offaly All-Ireland winner of the same name - was left unmarked in front of the posts and made no mistake.

Two points from Bray before the first break steadied the home side, and although Michael Conway slotted over a free immediately after the restart, Kildare only managed two more points in the remainder of regulation time.

Meath full-forward Jamie Queeney - who netted two goals in the defeat of Dublin - struck again 11 minutes into the second half when squeezing a shot to the right corner of the net following a run and pass by Rory Maguire.

Two converted frees by Ward regained the initiative for the home side.

Although those scores were answered by Conway (free) and O'Neill, Meath substitute Ciaran Kelly, who had only joined the fray, sent the tie into extra-time with a spectacular shot from out on the right wing.

Although Kildare started the first of the two 10-minute periods strongly, with O'Sullivan and O'Neill raising further white flags, they were outscored 1-5 to 0-2 thereafter.

Ward, who scored a number of exciting goals at the venue in Wolfe Tones' march to the county SFC title last year, struck and Meath did not look back. Another current county senior, Kevin Reilly, made his mark with a couple of well-struck points from midfield and there was no way back for the Lilywhites as Meath advanced to meet Offaly in the semi-final.

SCORERS - Meath: C Ward 1-7 (6f), D Bray 1-2, J Queeney 1-0, K Reilly, C Kelly 0-2 each. Kildare: P O'Neill 0-6 (4f), T O'Connor 1-0, M Conway (2f), M O'Sullivan 0-3 each, A Smith 0-2, J Cocoman 0-1.

MEATH - M Aherne; C O'Connor, R Hatton, P Howard; S Sheppard, C McGuinness, T Skelly; B Meade, K Reilly; D Bray, R Maguire, A Nestor; C O'Dwyer, J Queeney, C Ward. Subs: S O'Rourke for Bray (44), C Kelly for O'Dwyer (56), G Gallagher for Meade (66), N McMahon for Skelly (87), K Mulvaney for Nestor (90).

KILDARE - J Kindregan; I Lonergan, H McGrillen, D McInerney; J Brown, G White, D Brennan; T O'Connor, R Kelly; B Bell, M Conway, A Smith; M O'Sullivan, P O'Neill, T Archbold. Subs: J Phillips for Kelly (41), J Cocoman for Bell (47), D McEvoy for Brown (51), M Kenny for Brennan (67), R Kelly for O'Connor (70).

REF - E Kinsella (Laois).

Listened to it on the radio, Meaths ability to score crucial goals seemed to be the decisive factor. That was a good Kildare u/21 side so as long as Meath don't become complacent you'd have to fancy them to win the Leinster.

My only quibble was Kildare did well to get a draw after 60 mins only to be rewarded with extra-time in Navan against a Meath team that already had one good championship under their belt. Doesn't seem fair at all but player burn out is probably the reason. Anyway best of luck to Meath in the remainder...