Meath 1-10
Westmeath 1-8

Paul Keane reports from Páirc Tailteann in Navan

EAMON WALLACE MADE a winning return to competitive action with 1-2 to secure Meath’s place in the Leinster U-21 football championship semi-finals.

The county senior was starting his first game in a year following cruciate trouble and nailed a decisive first-half goal.

But Meath made tough work of progression to the March 18 semi-finals against Offaly or Kildare who play tomorrow night. The hosts led by just a point in Navan with two minutes to go and required sub Oisin Reilly to score the insurance point.

There was more late drama too as Westmeath’s Ryan Caffrey was shown a straight red card for striking and Westmeath came close to hitting a goal soon after.

Meath impressed at minor level three years ago when they reached the All-Ireland final. But they started with just five of the side that lined out against Dublin in the 2012 decider.

And after a terrible Hastings Cup campaign that saw them leak 10-36 in three games, they struggled to find a spark at Pairc Tailteann.

They twice fell two down early on and only led briefly in the first-half when Wallace netted after 27 minutes.

Westmeath responded with 1-1 from Ray Connellan including a 30th minute penalty conversion to lead 1-5 to 1-4 at half-time.

It wasn’t vintage football but Wallace, Connellan and Westmeath corner-forward Shane Dempsey showed glimpses of excellence.

Five Ruairi O Coileain points in a row including three from frees moved the Royals 1-9 to 1-6 clear.

It seemed a decisive foothold but their lead was down to just one as Westmeath rallied and hinted at stealing victory.

Navan O'Mahony's club man Ruairi O Caoileain was excellent for Meath tonight. Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Meath: Ruairi O Coileain 0-7 (0-5f), Eamon Wallace 1-2, Oisin Reilly 0-1

Scorers for Westmeath: Ray Connellan 1-3 (1-0 pen), Shane Dempsey 0-4, Michael Monahan 0-1

MEATH

1. Jack Hannigan (Donaghmore-Ashbourne)

2. Michael Flood (St Brigid’s)
3. Gavin McGowan (Ratoath)
4. Liam Ferguson (Gaeil Colmcille)

5. Shane Dowling (St Pat’s)
6. Brian Power (Ratoath)
7. Shane McEntee (St Peter’s, Dunboyne)

8. Adam Flanagan (Clonard)
10. Paraic Harnan (Moynalvey)

19. Ben Duggan (Dunshaughlin)
11. Ruairi O Coileain (Navan O’Mahony’s)
12. Joey Wallace (Ratoath)

13. Shane Lenehan (Moynalvey)
22. Kevin Ryan (Summerhill)
15. Eamon Wallace (Ratoath)

Subs

20. Conor Rooney (Ratoath) for Duggan (36)
24. Barry Dardis (Summerhill) for Ryan (45)
21. Oisin Reilly (Gaeil Colmcille) for Joey Wallace (48 mins)
18. Conor Carton (Donaghmore-Ashbourne) for McEntee (61 mins)

WESTMEATH

1. Brendan Doyle (Ballycomoyle)

2. Boidu Sayeh (Rosemount)
3. Israel Ilunga (Castletown Finea Coole Whitehall)
4. Rob Gorman (Moate All Whites)

7. Darren King (Rosemount)
6. Ryan Caffrey (Coralstown/Kinnegad)
5. Killian Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks)

8. Theo Watts (Rosemount)
9. Gavin Delaney (Tubberclair)

10. Daire Conway (Shandonagh)
11. Ray Connellan (Athlone)
12. Justin Barrett (Garrycastle)

19. Shane Corcoran (Milltownpass)
14. Ger Leech (Coralstown Kinnegad)
15. Shane Dempsey (St Loman’s Mullingar)

Subs

18. TJ Fox (Rosemount) for Justin Barrett (44 mins)
17. Michael Monahan (Garrycastle) for Leech (46 mins)
20. Aaron Curley (Tubberclair) for Conway (52 mins)
21. James Madden (Moate All Whites) for Watts (52 mins)
22. Dylan McDermott (Mullingar Shamrocks) for Delaney (60 mins)
10. Conway for Sayeh (60 mins)

Referee: Fergal Smyth (Offaly)

Originally published: Wednesday 21.00

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