Gerry Reilly U-16 FT Rd. 1 Report – Meath v Westmeath

Meath 0-16 Westmeath 2-7
This year’s Gerry Reilly U-16 FT got underway on Saturday evening when Meath held off Westmeath to claim victory in this Group B match played in the Gilson Park, Oldcastle.
Westmeath’s, Sean Dowd opened the scoring with a fine point, but then Meath responded with 3 unanswered points from Brian Dowling, Dylan Hand and Conor Freyne (f). Sean Dowd reduced the gap with a pointed free.
Meath then dominated for a period and added 4 points to their tally and seemed to be well on top at this stage. However a converted goal from a penaly by Daniel Heavain had the minimum between the sides.
Points from Brian Dowling and Conor Freyne(f) stretched Meath’s lead again. However Westmeath faught back and found the Meath net with their second goal just before the break to have the side’s level.
H/T: Meath 0-9 Westmeath 2-3
Westmeath started the second half strongly with 2 points (Luke price & Sean Dowd(f)) to regain the lead for first time since their opening score. Meath regained the lead with 3 points on the trot (Brian Dowling, Conor Freyne(f) and Shane Doherty). A Sean Dowd pointed free had the side’s level again and quickly followed by a Tommy Lennon point to put Westmeth in front for the 3rd time in the game. Another Brian Dowling point had the side’s level yet again. He stepped up again to regain the lead for Meath. Meath added another 2 points to their tally (Conor Freyne(f) and Dylan Hand) and looke to be heading for victory. But Westmeath had a goal disallowed as time ran out.
Overall an entertaing game with some terrific scores with both sides giving their all.

Meath’s, Conor Freyne was presented with the Millbrook Food Market ‘Man of the match’ award  by Leo Halpin after the game.

Scorers for Meath: Brian Dowling (0-6), Conor Freyne (0-5 ,5f), Dylan Hand & Joseph Donnelly (0-2) each, Shane Doherty (0-1)
Scorers for Westmeath: Sean Dowd (0-4, 3f), Daniel Heavin & Leon Hynes (1-0) each, Tommy Lennon, Ned Cully & Luke Price (0-1) each

Meath: Andrew Beakey (St Colmcille’s), Oisin Ginnity (Wolfe Tones), Michael Farrell (Ratoath), Robert Clarke (Skryne), Shane Doherty (O’Mahony’s), Daniel Comiskey (St Peter’s), Jacob Ryan (Ballivor), Cian Swaine (Clann na nGael), Josh McCloskey (St Peter’s), Dylan Hand (Clann na nGael), Conor Freyne (Summerhill), Oisin Martin (Dunderry), Brian Dowling (Trim), Saran O Fionnagain (Wolfe Tones), Joseph Donnelly (Kilbride)
Subs: Owen Doogan (Gaeil Colmcille) for Ryan

Westmeath: Jordan Nugent (Castledaly), Tristan Johnson (St Lomans Mullingar), Paul Gorman( Moate All Whites), David Mullins (Moate All Whites), James Maxwell (Coralstown/Kinnegad), Padraig Geoghan (Rosemount), Tommy Lennon (Maryland/Tang) , Ned Cully (St Marys Rochfortbridge), Luke Price( Ballynacarghy), Leon Hynes (Millmore Gaels), Adam Bradley (St Marys Rochfortbridge), Lorcan Daly( Rosemount), Max Rowan (The Downs), Daniel Heavin (Castledaly), Sean Dowd (Athlone)
Subs: Shane Boyce (St Lomans Mullingar) for Bradley, Adam Lynch (St Lomans Mullingar) for Johnson

Ref: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)