Malone back to break Meath hearts

ROY MALONE took a step into the past to seal Rhode’s third Leinster club SFC final place in five seasons with a dramatic late goal in Navan.

The former Offaly forward rolled back the years to kill off a Meath team with a decisive strike, just like he famously did in 1997. Back then he was the Offaly hero as his two-goal Croke Park haul denied favourites Meath a provincial title in sensational fashion. At 34, the forward could only manage eight minutes of action yesterday due to a niggling calf strain but he still made his mark in that time.

With just a point between the teams after a typical Skryne fight-back, Malone finished off a neat passing move by fisting to the net. The goal, two minutes from time, concluded the scoring and sealed a slightly flattering four-point victory for Rhode, who now face Kilmacud Crokes.