14-man Faithful do enough to edge Meath

A devastating third quarter in which Offaly outscored Meath 1-3 to no score was the key for Paschal Kelleghan’s charges as they secured a Leinster U21FC quarter-final berth against Kildare next week.

A straight red card for Paul McPadden late in the first half looked like it would swing matters in favour of the visiting Royal County but at the break, it was 0-5 each.

However 1-1 from substitute Mark Young helped turn the tide and Offaly’s performance stayed solid for a great win.

Scorers for Offaly: M Young (1-2), A Sullivan (0-3, 0-1 ‘45, 0-1 free), B Allen (0-3), J Ledwith (0-1).

Scorers for Meath: S Gillespie (0-4, 0-2 frees), D Carroll (0-2, 0-1 free), A Forde, P Fox, S Tobin (0-1 each)

OFFALY: G Shiels; D Hanlon, E Rigney, J Kavanagh; S Hannon, J Ledwith, J McPadden; M Brazil, D Kelly; D Hogan, P McPadden, G Guilfoyle; T Spain, B Allen, A Sullivan. Subs: M Young for T Spain, S Cullen for B Allen,

MEATH: C McHugh; C McConnell, B Dillon, J Quigley; P Fox, C Lenehan, D Maguire; B Menton, S Tobin; D Larkin, M O’Sullivan, D Carroll; S Gillespie, N Murphy, Pa McKeever.

Subs: A Forde for N Murphy, C Devereaux for D Larkin, D Keogan for J Quigley, D McGovern for P McKeever, F Toolin for S Tobin.

Referee: Brendan Maher (Westmeath).