Meath made work hard to hold off Wicklow in the second half

Meath 3-12 Wicklow 1-12
A Darragh Nolan pointed free got Meath on the scoreboard in this Rd.1 match of the Gerry Reilly U-16 FT played in the Gilson Park, Oldcastle on Monday evening. It was taking both sides time to settle, but it was Meath that eventually were creating the scoring chances. A short pass from a resultant 45 had Meath up by 2 points from the boot of Darragh Nolan. Meath had registered 6 wides by the time they got their third point (Paddy Conway). Wicklow were denied a goal by a great save made by the Meath ‘keeper, Conor Heffernan which hr pushed out for a 45. From the resultant 45 Wicklow got their first point with a terrific kick by Gearoid Murphy. This turned out to be their only score of the half.
Almost straight away at the other end it was the turn of the Wicklow ‘keeper, Alan Lillis to make a brilliant save pushed out for a 45. The were again treated to a great point from the 45 by Liam Shaw.

Meath had the most dominant period of the game with three goals before the break from Liam Shaw, Conal Aherne and Liam Shaw.

H/T: Meath 3-05 Wicklow 0-1
Meath stretched their lead with a pointed free by Darrragh Nolan. Wicklow came back into the game which started with a converted free by Rory Stokes. The Meath goalie was caught of his line but Wicklow’s shot was wide of the post. Points were exchanged when Meath lead by 3-09 to 0-09. Wicklow started to dominate the play and a Gearoid Murphy goal brought them back intoit to leave just 6 points between the sides. Two Meath points stretched the lead again before Rory Stokes responded with a pointed free. Another fantastic 45 from Liam Shaw turned out to be Meath’s last score while Podge O’Toole pointed to reduce the deficit. Wicklow had a goal attempt saved and again another exhibition of a 45 taking by Gearoid Murphy was the last score of the match.
While Meath dominated the first half, Wicklow really made a battle of it and the killer blow was the first half goals.

Meath’s Daniel Devine was presented with the Millbrook Food Market ‘Man of the match’ award by Martin Blake.

Pres to M o M Daniel Devine by Martin Blake
Meath: Conor Heffernan, Na Fianna; Niall Mulvey, Longwood; Daniel Devine, Na Fianna; Mossie Flood, Oldcastle; Andrew Gerrard, Ratoath; John Keane, Summerhill; Diarmuid McCabe, Summerhill; Neill Byrne, Dunshaughlin; Jack McNally, Na Fianna; Conal Aherne (1-0), Ratoath; Liam Shaw(2-03), Summerhill; Leigh Sullivan (0-2), Ratoath; Darragh Nolan (0-5), St Peter’s; Tom Fadden, Ratoath; Paddy Conway (0-1), St Peter’s
Subs: Sam Reynolds,Carnaross for Mulvey, Sean Blackwell, Summerhill for McCabe, Colm O’Toole, Don/Ashbourne for Ahearne, Robert Wogan (0-1), Seneschalstown for Fadden
Wicklow: Alan Lillis Tinahely; Paddy Kirwan Baltinglass; Fintan O Shea Eire og; James Tyrrell Tinahely; Cian Lee Baltinglass; Conor Deering (0-1) St. Nichs; Kieran Sheehy Eire og; Podge O’Toole (0-3) Michael Dwyers Capt; Sean Branagan St. Nichs; Brian Nolan St. Nichs; Ciaran Mescal Blessington; Ross Coogan (0-1) Michael Dwyers; Brian Lambert Tinahely; Gearoid Murphy (1-05) Derry Gaels; Rory Stokes (0-2) Tinahely
Subs: 16. Conor Browne Eire Og; 17. Ciaran O Shea AGB; 18 Sean Gregory Newtown; John Kavanagh An Tochar; MJ Moran St. Nich’s; Joe Mc Loughlin An Tochar; 22. Ian Clancy DerryGaels; 23. Conal Deeney Eire Og; 24. Adam Delahunty St Patricks; 25. Sean Mescal Blessington

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)


Gerry Reilly U-16 FT 2015
Group A: Cavan, Meath, Monaghan, Wicklow
Group B: Dublin, Louth, Meath, Wicklow

Rd.1
Saturday, 27 June
Gr.B: Meath 0-16 Westmeath 2-7 (Gilson Park, Oldcastle)

Sunday, Jun. 28 June
Gr.A: Cavan 0-13 Monaghan 1-9 (Gilson Park, Oldcastle)

Monday, 29 June
Gr.A: Meath 3-12 Wicklow 1-12 (Gilson Park, Oldcastle)

Thursday , 2 July
Gr.B: Dublin v Louth (Darver @ 7.45 pm)
———————

Rd.2:
Saturday, 4 July
Gr B: Louth v Meath (Millbrook @ 5.00 pm)
Gr A: Meath v Monaghan (Millbrook @ 7.30 pm)

Sunday, 5 July
Gr A: Cavan v Wicklow @ 4.00 pm
Gr B: Dublin v Westmeath @ 7.30 pm
———————————

• The tournament to be run on a ‘round robin’ basis, each team plays each other in their group. 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw
• Group positions based on score difference in the event of teams on same points
• Top teams in each group qualify for the Gerry Reilly Cup Final
• Second team in each group qualify for the Gerry Reilly Plate Final
• Third team in each group qualify for the Gerry Reilly Shield Final

Finals (Cup, Plate & Shield): Sat.18 July/ Sun.19 July

Winners of the Gerry Reilly Cup to date:
Westmeath 1990, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2010, 2011
Meath 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2007
Dublin 1993, 1998, 2008 (U-17 Blitz), 2012, 2013
Cavan 1997, 2004, 2006, 2014

Winners of the Gerry Reilly Plate to date:
Meath 2013
Wicklow 2014

Winners of the Gerry Reilly Shield to date:
Westmeath 2013
Meath 2014