Resilient Royals roll on as Limerick tactics fail

GETTING to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals against Mayo via the qualifier route may not have been the preferred option for Meath.

However, the match fitness it gained them was precisely why they overcame a brave Limerick side in O’Moore Park on Saturday night.

It was so different to their meeting at the Gaelic Grounds last year, memorable for a 4-11 to 0-3 scoreline in Limerick’s favour after 58 minutes before the Royals rescued themselves from total humiliation with four late goals. With Meath making the running from an early stage this time – the biggest margin was six points (1-10 to 0-7). And that was 10 minutes into the second half, shortly before team captain Seanie Buckley threw Limerick a lifeline with their first goal.

With Limerick manager Mickey Ned O’Sullivan conceding defeat was even more frustrating than losing the Munster final, it was noteworthy that his team struggled in the first half, hesitant in defence and beaten at midfield. Most significant of all was the failure of their “running” game, which negated the strategy of using two forwards inside.

All they managed over the opening 20 minutes was two pointed frees and another from play by Stephen Kelly (while Meath had 1-4 scored, with the goal coming from the impressive Cian Ward). Hard-won possession was given away up to 10 times, at a time when Nigel Crawford was dominating midfield and the Meath half-backs (with Caomhin King outstanding on the left flank) were winning a lot of possession from broken play.

Mickey Ned O’Sullivan, who held his fire about the penalising of Stephen Lucey for over-carrying after he kicking an ‘equalising’ point in injury time, admitted Meath’s ability to get scores easier was the difference. “We had to work very hard for whatever we got,’’ he stated. “We were taking ball in and losing it on the tackle. Meath were hitting us hard and we weren’t used to that.’’

There was an improvement in the 15 minutes before the break, the backs more alert and John Galvin involved around the middle. Captain Seanie Buckley gave leadership up front, supported by Ian Ryan, Stephen Kelly and Ger Collins.

Leading 1-6 to 0-5 at the break and inspired by Stephen Bray, his brother David and Peadar Byrne in attack, Meath stretched their lead to 0-6 before Buckley’s goal. In response, they hit two quick points before Limerick sub midfielder Jim O’Donovan fired to the net from a Kelly ‘45. “In the second half we might’ve put the match beyond them, but they kept responding.’’ said Meath boss Eamon O’Brien.

Immediately after Limerick’s second goal, a point from the crafty Kelly cut the margin to a single score and after King and Ian Ryan (67th minute) swapped scores, there was every chance of Limerick forcing extra time. It seemed it likely after a driving run down the middle by Lucey ended with a kick over the bar – only for the referee to award a free out. “I was gutted to finish the year like that,’’ he said. O’Sullivan was more circumspect. “I wouldn’t even comment on these guys (referees) any more. I don’t know where they get them. I’d like to see it again, but I don’t think he ran that far.’’

Scorers for Meath: C. Ward 1-2 (0-1 free, 0-1 ‘45); S. Bray 0-4; P. Byrne and C. O’Connor 0-2 each; D. Bray, B. Farrell and C. King 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: S. Buckley and J. O’Donovan 1-0 each; S. Kelly 0-4 (0-1 free); I. Ryan 0-3 (0-1 free); G. Collins 0-2 frees.

Subs for Meath: M. Burke for Byrne (58); B. Regan for Farrell (67).

Subs for Limerick: J. O’Donovan for Stokes (41); J. Mullane for Browne (54); G. Egan for Joyce-Power (62); E. Hogan for Buckley (67).

Referee: P. Hughes (Armagh).