Disputed penalty saves Meath

Laois 1-16 Meath 2-13: A controversial late penalty saw Meath advance on Saturday night in Stradbally to the O’Byrne Cup semi-finals at the expense of hosts Laois.

Laois were leading by two points, when referee Fergal Smyth awarded the Royals the injury time spot-kick when, with the ball in midfield, he deemed Kieran Lillis to have fouled his man in the square. Kevin Ross sent the penalty low to the bottom corner and, even though Laois had time to kick a late equaliser through Colm Begley, Meath advanced on scoring difference.

The game also marked Joe Sheridan’s return to the Meath senior team, though this time he was tasked with keeping the ball out of the net, rather than trying to rattle the back of it. He had little to do in the first half, as he watched his side open up an eight-point lead, but his hopes of a clean sheet were dashed early in the second half as Donie Kingston goaled.