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Afternoon all, it’s Leinster senior football semi-final day in Croke Park.
Here’s what’s in store:
- Meath v Westmeath, 2pm
- Dublin v Kildare, 4pm
So can anyone stop the Dubs this year? We’ll see later if Kildare can come up with a plan to stifle them but before that it’s the turn of Meath or Westmeath to book a place in the decider on 12 July. Throw-in is at 2pm with Cork’s Conor Lane the referee for this one.
Let’s get to the team news then shall we?
Five changes to the Meath team. Royal County supremo Mick O’Dowd is rolling out the big guns for the showdown against the Lake County with Conor McGill, Mickey Burke, Bryan Menton, Kevin Reilly and Mickey Newman coming in for starts.
Davy Dalton, Nicky Judge and Brian Power make way in defence, with Adam Flanagan and Joey Wallace also dropping out.
Meath
1. Patrick O Rourke (Skryne)
2. James Mc Entee (Curraha)
3. Conor Mc Gill (Ratoath)
4. Donncha Tobin (Blackhall Gaels)
5. Mickey Burke (Longwood)
6. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny, Capt.)
7. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore Ashbourne)
8. Harry Rooney (Skryne)
9. Kevin Reilly (Navan O Mahony’s)
10. Graham Reilly (St. Colmcille’s)
11. Padraic Harnan (Moynalvey)
12. Andrew Tormey (Donaghmore Ashbourne)
13. Michael Newman (Kilmainham)
14. Stephen Bray (Navan O’Mahony’s)
15. Brian Mc Mahon (Ratoath)
There’s just the one change in the Westmeath team named by manager Tom Cribbin.
Lorcan Smyth has been called up ahead of Ronan Foley.
Westmeath
1. Darren Quinn (Tyrrellspass)
2. Killian Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks)
3. Kevin Maguire (Caulry)
4. John Gilligan (Ballymore)
5. Paddy Holloway (Castledaly)
6. Kieran Martin (Maryland)
7. James Dolan (Garrycastle)
8. Paul Sharry (St Loman’s)
9. Daragh Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks)
10. Ray Connellan (Athlone)
11. Ger Egan (Tyrrellspass, capt.)
12. Denis Corroon (Mullingar Shamrocks)
13. Lorcan Smyth (Mullingar Shamrocks)
14. John Heslin (St Loman’s)
15. Shane Dempsey (St Loman’s)
Here’s the Meath subs:
Conor McHugh, Adam Flanagan, Eamon Wallace, David Dalton, Joey Wallace, Brian Power, Sean Tobin, Donal Lenihan, Damien Carroll, Nicky Judge, Jamie Queeney.
And here’s the Westmeath subs:
Gary Connaughton, Francis Boyle, John Connellan, John Egan, Ronan Foley, Kieran Gavin, Dennis Glennon, Jamie Gonoud, Paul Greville, David Lynch, John Stapleton.
Meath 0-1 Westmeath 0-0
Lightning start by Meath as Stephen Bray knocks over an early point.
Meath 0-2 Westmeath 0-0
Graham Reilly doubles Meath’s lead with Eamonn Wallace, a late inclusion in attack instead of Mickey Newman, setting up the point again.
Meath 0-2 Westmeath 0-1
Westmeath pull a point back, an excellent outside of the right effort from John Heslin.
Meath 0-4 Westmeath 0-1
Meath looking really sharp in attack in the early stages as Eamonn Wallace turns scorer on this occasion off his left.
Meath 0-5 Westmeath 0-1
Meath so close to hitting the net early on but Bryan McMahon’s palmed effort is denied by the upright. Then Graham Reilly charges through to clip over a point that sends Meath four clear.
Meath 0-6 Westmeath 0-1
Stephen Bray pops up with his second point of the day, firing over off his left for Meath.
Second big goal chance of the day for Meath but they’re foiled as Mickey Newman, a temporary substitute, shoots against the legs of Darren Quinn.
Meath well on top so far, they’ve a five point lead and could have struck for two goals as well. It’s noticeable as well how well Kevin Reilly is playing back in defence for Meath in the sweeper role with Westmeath devoid of attacking inspiration so far.
Meath 0-8 Westmeath 0-1
Meath stamping their authority on the scoreboard now with Bryan Menton and Wallace tacking on further points.
Meath 0-9 Westmeath 1-3
And suddenly there’s some life in this game! Westmeath’s supporters in full voice as they have a few scores to shout about. John Heslin swings over a free and Shane Dempsey registers one from play, while Eamonn Wallace bangs over his third point of the day for Meath.
But the centrepiece of this scoring burst was Kieran Martin galloping forward for Westmeath from his number six berth and firing home a goal just like he did against Wexford.
Meath 2-10 Westmeath 1-3
And the complexion of this game has completely changed now. We thought there was a bit of a contest emerging but Meath look to have killed off the match at an early juncture. It’s two emphatic finishes to the net from Bryan McMahon for Meath but the Westmeath defence was carved open by long deliveries. Andrew Tormey adds a point from a free and Meath are gone ten clear.
Subs
Westmeath ring the changes but it could be too late for them to force their way back into this. John Connellan comes on for midfielder Daragh Daly and corner-back Killian Daly is replaced by Jamie Gonoud.
Meath 2-10 Westmeath 1-5
A pair of points in quick succession for Westmeath courtesy of Heslin and Dempsey.
Meath 2-12 Westmeath 1-6
The one-way traffic continues. Wallace and Reilly point for Meath, that’s a combined 0-7 from play so far for that duo. Martin replies by smacking over a fine point for Westmeath.
Eight-point lead for Meath at the break, they’re well on top. Westmeath need a huge turnaround to get back in to contention here.
Scorers for Meath: Brian McMahon 2-1, Eamon Wallace 0-4, Graham Reilly 0-3, Stephen Bray 0-2, Bryan Menton, Andrew Tormey (0-1f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Westmeath: John Heslin 0-4 (0-3f), Kieran Martin 1-1, Shane Dempsey 0-2.
Sub: Westmeath make one change at the break as David Lynch comes in for Lorcan Smyth.
Meath 2-12 Westmeath 1-9
John Connellan on the mark with a pair of points to get Westmeath off to a fine start in the second-half.
Meath 2-13 Westmeath 1-9
Graham Reilly knocks over a neat point after a fine Meath team move splits open the Westmeath rearguard.
Sub: Another Westmeath change as Denis Glennon becomes the latest player to be introduced, at the expense of Shane Dempsey on this occasion.
Meath 2-13 Westmeath 1-10
Heslin slots over a free after being fouled himself and Westmeath are facing a six-point deficit once more.
Meath 2-14 Westmeath 1-11
Points swapped as Tormey converts a free for Meath and Heslin hits a ’45 for Westmeath.
Subs: Meath bring in David Dalton and Adam Flanagan for Michael Burke and Harry Rooney.
Graham Reilly is gone off for Meath are being shown a black card with Michael Newman coming on to replace him.
Meath 2-16 Westmeath 1-11
Great impact by Newman as he floats over a point moments after coming on. McMahon adds another soon after and Meath are coasting clear once more.
Meath 2-17 Westmeath 1-11
And the gap continues to grow as Bray knocks over another for Meath.
Meath 2-17 Westmeath 2-11
Goal for Westmeath! Kieran Martin with his second of the game.
Meath 2-17 Westmeath 2-12
Fine point off his left by John Heslin. Westmeath coming back in to this?
Meath 2-17 Westmeath 2-13
Heslin on target again, this time from a ’45 and the gap is down to four.
Meath 2-17 Westmeath 2-14
And incredibly it’s back now to three points! Ray Connellan with the latest Westmeath point and their supporters are springing to life around Croke Park.
Meath 2-17 Westmeath 2-15
Another fine point from Heslin and Westmeath are only two adrift now!
Meath 2-18 Westmeath 2-15
That’s a really important point for Meath to settle their nerves as Newman converts a free into Hill 16.
Black card for Meath’s Donncha Tobin are he dragged back Westmeath sub John Connellan.
Meath 2-18 Westmeath 2-16
Heslin confidently steps up to slot over another free for Westmeath and and then he hits the post from play with a chance to cut the gap to the minimum! Huge excitement here.
Meath 2-18 Westmeath 2-17
And now the gap is back to one. A clumsy foul by Meath sub Brian Power and Heslin does the rest form the free.
Meath 2-18 Westmeath 2-18
It’s level! Kieran Martin tears in the endline for Westmeath and fists over a point. After being eight down at half-time and nine early in the second-half, Westmeath are level!
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Westmeath 3-19 Meath 2-18
This is absolutely amazing, what a revival from Westmeath.
And now Meath’s Paddy O’Rourke has been shown a red card for a foul on Kieran Martin.
Dare I say it, an Irishman in the Champions League? He fully deserves it. Great to see the likes of himself and McCarthy making progress with a strong team like Everton.
More than Premier League out there Guys , Anthony Stokes has started for Celtic this season in Champions League. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT !
Thats true, but I meant “Irishman” as in someone who plays regularly for the Irish soccer team. I know Stokes is both eligible and has played a few games recently, but he hasn’t played a game for Ireland with anything at stake for years. It’s like that young Irish Man City keeper. He went to Plzen for their CL game there. I wouldn’t say he’s playing in the CL, just like, prior to two dead rubbers against Germany and Kazakhstan, Stokes didn’t feature for years.
Obviously lots of blinkered Premier League “Fans” on here , I just corrected a incorrect statement
Traps dropped him for no reason , FFS he setup wee James Forrest and Celtic in the Final Qualifier this season.
The great brainwashed EPL Brigade are out in force….
The facts are Anthony Stokes who has 8 Full Irish Caps 4 of which were won this season ,
Source http://www.fai.ie/international/senior-men/30-anthony-stokes.html
He has played 10 times this season in the Champions League , 5 qualifiers and 5 in CL Proper
Source http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/clubs/player=74715/
Just accept it …..
And when were the other 4? I didn’t suggest he is a poor player and from the performances he put in during the last four caps, he deserved to be in the squad. I meant “Irishman” as in regular Irish player, not 8 caps in just under 7 years, but I know I didn’t explicitly state that. As for EPLcentric comments, the article is about a Prem player. If I made the comment about McGeady, wojld that make me a Russian soccer snob. Pull your head out.
“Dare I say it, an Irishman in the Champions League? ” This is clearly a false untrue statement and you along with the other 131 who liked the comment are idiots for not accepting you were wrong
He’s clearly trying to back out of it by adding on that ridiculous explanation
Right, if a light humoured, albeit poorly explained remark is causing an arguement, I fully retract that statement. I shall replace it with “Dare I say it, an Irishman (that has played regularly for the past 15 months despite a bonkers manager and plays in the premier league, which is not an important factor but does make followers of the SPL a little annoyed when someone mentions it) playing in the champions league?” If any sarcasm or possible inferences are not clearly stated, please let me know.
Stokes is a stocking,very average player in a poor league……not good enough for the epl
Poor League Yeah , When is the last time a Premier League team have beaten Barcelona , Read it an weep – More Rubbish from EPL Barstool Fan
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/nov/07/celtic-barcelona-champions-league-report
Im not a fan of the epl to be honest,just have an interest in football,stokes not good enough for arsenal, fair enough,but couldnt cut it at Sunderland……I say again poor player in a poor league,and its not that long ago that Chelsea beat Barcelona if memory serves…..
Again with the EPL bashing! If you going to trash about irrelevant stats, when was the last time a Scottish team won the CL or made it to the semis for that matter? The very fact that there are four slots allocated to EPL teams and only two (or three, not certain) for the SPL is based on EPL teams being more successful in the tournament. But by virtue of defending the EPL, I am now going to be called a blinkered barstool fan?
Barstooler? Aren’t Irish fans that support celtic barstoolers???? If every muppet on here went n supported league of Ireland then scots league wud be same standard as ours. Same population as ours so no reason why not. Our country is only one in europe that is obsessed with foreign leagues, embarrassing . FACT
Delighted Coleman is finally getting recognition he deserves! He’s Ireland’s most consistent player and week in, week out in the Premier League he plays well! Am an Arsenal fan and Sagna has been brilliant for us, but if he goes this is a more than capable replacement if it happens!
Feck of I’m a blue and he’s staying!!!
Dare I say it but maybe not yet? To be a game changer in Everton or a utility player in arsenal ?
Fair point, its like everything I suppose its a gamble. Look at Steven Carr when he was at spurs, best full back in the league but never moved to the biggest club. Linked but nothing ever happened. What I will say about Coleman is that I think he’s got a mean streak in him, a bit of hardness about him that would make me think that if he did move he could step up the grade
No coincidence that this comes out the same weekend Arsenal play an inform Everton. Wenger has a habit of doing that
10 million is a bargain for Coleman. Should be at least 15-20 million.
As much as I’d like him to progress , I like the Irish connection that’s coming together at Everton
I would love to see him go right to the top,but look at how things have gone for Fellani at old trafford,moving to a big club,Not always a goodcareer move
Good point Gerard… but I think coleman a real gem.. fellaini not in the same class at all
As a united fan I’d love to get him… watched him with sligo and now with Everton and believe he can be the best to play for Ireland yet…what a talent
Future Irish captain!
Already captained us. Oops. Am I due an avalanche of red thumbs too?
He’s the type of player arsenal need, a defender with a bit of fight and not afraid to move forward. If Everton get champions league football I think e10m might not be enough to lure him to London.
Tough to know if this would be a good move for him; no doubt that training znd playing with ozil, ramsey and others would certainly improve him, but would he pay every game? If he spends half his time on bench would be better of at a good Everton team
If he had a name like Colemani or Colemanez I’d be more likely to believe it
Absolutely true ; anyway if Everton are able to resist Man Utd over Baines, they should be just as keen to keep Coleman from Arsenal. Coleman has far more importance for Everton than he would have for Arsenal.
Its only made up sunday paper drivel so i wouldnt pay attention to it
Great player
10 million?! Granted Baines is probably the most productive full back in the league but surely Coleman is worth 15 to 20 million, defensively sound and serious pace going forward
Coleman and Mccarthy are very good footballers, but they are now becoming so overrated by the Irish media.
MU could do with Coleman….Rafael is useless!!!!