Matthew Costello shines as Meath triumph over Cork with late scores

Earlier in the week, it was confirmed the clock/hooter would be operable in Navan but nobody said there would be two clocks telling two different stories. 

Jordan Morris struck a first half goal for Meath. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

All-Ireland SFC Group 2: Meath 1-13 Cork 0-12

New rules but very much an old school feel and scoreline to this All-Ireland Group 2, Round 1 clash in a wet Páirc Tailteann as a profligate Meath held out for the victory.

Four points from Cork in three minutes including a two-pointer had brought the visitors to within the minimum just before the hour mark.

However, the Leinster runners-up recomposed themselves with a Matthew Costello free. James Conlon followed it up with an effort from play and Costello provided the cushion with his fifth point in the 66th minute.

Trailing 0-5 to 1-5 at the break having faced the breeze, Cork were back on level terms within four minutes of the restart. Mattie Taylor fisted over a point prior to Colm O’Callaghan sending over the first two-pointer of the game.

That O’Callaghan score, however, turned out to be Cork’s last score for 17 minutes as Meath’s dominance in midfield and rapid movement breaking forward produced five unanswered points.

James Conlon’s speed from standing starts was key to adding impetus to their attacks while Matthew Costello, Bryan Menton and Seán Coffey were excellent in claiming primary ball.

Substitute Ruairí Deane ended Cork’s scoring drought in the 56th minute and when Mark Cronin thumped over a two-pointer, Cork had their spark. Chris Óg Jones followed it up with his fourth point and the initiative had well and truly shifted.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed the clock/hooter would be operable in Navan but nobody said there would be two clocks telling two different stories. On one side of the town end was the scoreboard clock, which was continuous. On the other side was the match stop-clock, possibly the smallest in the country.

In any time zone, Meath’s first-half shooting with the hefty wind into that end was pathetic. In the first 27 minutes, they posted seven wides, dropped two short and had a goal attempt kept out and had just two points to their name. All in all, a conversion rate of less than 17%.

Jordan Morris struck a first half goal for Meath. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Cork were honest and economical. Having lost the toss, it was going to be a case of not losing the game in the first half and for seven minutes in the second quarter they actually led, going three up in the 25th minute when Jones slotted over a third point.

Goal openings came within 30 seconds of each in the 13th and 14th minutes. Cathail O’Mahony’s shot was kept out at one end and then Micheál Aodh Martin had to be sharp to prevent Conlon after Costello’s initial shot was parried.

Paul Walsh’s scooped effort was cleared off the Meath goal-line three minutes later but Cork’s work ethic especially on kick-outs and methodical build-up wasn’t going to go unrewarded.

Jones levelled the game with his first in the 21st minute and from the kick-out after Cronin’s second converted free Cork put pressure on Ciarán Caulfield and Seamus Lavin and Jones added a second.

His third was the last of the half for Cork as Meath finally got their act together. Costello gave the hosts a much-needed point in the 28th minute and then Jordan Morris struck for a goal on the half-hour mark.

The genesis of the attack was unusual as Jones appeared to pull out of making a tackle believing he had breached the three-up rule when Cork had the required amount of bodies in the Meath half of the field.

Morris’s execution was so tidy and so unlike his team’s finishing up to that point. It proved an inspiration as Costello send over a second point two minutes later and then Frayne converted a second free after Ian Maguire fouled Morris.

Scorers for Meath: M. Costello (0-5, 1 free); J. Morris (1-1); E. Frayne (0-3, frees); J. Conlon (0-2); B. Hogan (45), S. Coffey (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: C. Jones, M. Cronin (1tp, 0-2 frees) (0-4 each); C. O’Callaghan (0-2, 1tp); M. Taylor, R. Deane (0-1 each).

MEATH: B. Hogan; S. Lavin, S. Rafferty, R. Ryan; D. Keogan, S. Coffey, C. Caulfield; J. Flynn, B. Menton; C. Duke, R. Kinsella, M. Costello; J. Morris, J. Conlon, E. Frayne (c).

Subs: A. O’Neill for J. Flynn (inj), K. Curtis for E. Frayne (both 45); C, Hickey for C. Duke (50); S. Walsh for J. Conlon (64); J. McEntee for R. Kinsella (temp 67-69).

CORK: M.A. Martin; S. Meehan, D. O’Mahony (c), M. Shanley; P. Walsh, B. O’Driscoll, M. Taylor; I. Maguire, C. O’Callaghan; S. Powter, S. McDonnell, E. McSweeney; M. Cronin, C. Jones, C. O’Mahony.

Subs: R. Deane for S. Powter, R. Maguire for E. McSweeney (50); E. O’Hanlon for C. O’Mahony (56); C. Cahalane for P. Walsh (62); L. Fahy for M. Taylor (temp 64-ft); H. O’Connor for M. Cronin (68).

Referee: N. Mooney (Cavan)