Meath stormed to victory in the 2nd half of the Plate Final

Meath 4-13 Louth 2-8
Meath stormed to victory over Louth in the Gerry Reilly U-16 FT Plate Final when they blitzed the Louth goal early in the second half. The game played on Saturday evening in Millbrook, Oldcastle in ideal conditions was very free flowing with great movement from both sides.
A fantastic run by Louth’s James O’Reilly opened the scoring with a well rewarded point. Ferghal Malone made it 2 points for Louth before points from Darragh Nolan and Brian Dowling had the sides level. Meath by the 12th minute were 2 points ahead and John Gallagher scored 2 points to have the sides level again. Louth saw their chance of a goal kicked out to the sideline by the Meath ‘keeper, Sean Hogan.
Meath were creating chances and seemed to be going for goals when points might have been available, but the Louth defence were holding them out. A John Gallagher converted free for a point regained the lead for Louth.
Darragh Nolan pointed from a free to have the sides level yet again. Neil Byrne punched over for a point in the 24th minute and Meath then registered the only other score of the half.

H/T: Meath 0-7 Louth 0-5
On the restart, Conal Ahearne pointed to stretch Meath’s lead. Louth then had chances, but were off target before Conor Loughran pointed to narrow the gap.
But the the turning period of the game was when Conal Ahearne pointed and then got Meath’s first goal after a pass from Tom Fadden. This was quickly followed up by a point (Neil Byrne) and 2 goals (Brian Dowling) which had Meath in the driving seat to lead 2-10 to 0-6.
Louth did not give up and responded with the first of Leonard Gray’s 2 goals. In the 54th minute, Meath were down to 14 with the dismissal of Daniel Comiskey (2 Yellows). Despite this the Millbrook Food Market ‘Man of the match’ award winner, Conal Ahearne got Meath’s 4th goal.

Louth did not give up and got the final scores of the game with Leonard Gray’s second goal and a Padraig Cunningham point.

A very entertaining game to watch with end to end plays and some great defensive displays especially from the Meath backs.

After the game, Meath captain, Adam Murphy was presented with the Plate trophy by Leo Halpin (Oldcastle GFC)

Meath: Sean Hogan Donaghamore/Ashbourne, John Keane Summerhill, Daniel Devine Na Fianna, Robert Clarke Skryne, Eoin Doogan Gaeil Colmcille, Daniel Comiskey St.Peters, Adam Murphy Jenkinstown, Cian Swaine Clann na nGael, Neill Byrne Dunshaughlin(0-2), Dylan Hand Clann na nGael(0-1), Conal Aherne Ratoath(2-3), Paddy Conway St.Peter’s(0-1), Brian Dowling Trim(2-2), Tom Fadden Ratoath, Darragh Nolan St.Peter’s(0-3,1f)
Subs: Oisin Martin Dunderry(0-1) for Conway, Eoin Harkin Dunsany for Hand, Sam Reddin St. Patrick’s for Fadden, Andrew Gerrard Ratoath for Nolan and Thomas Flood Oldcastle for Adam Murphy

Louth: Lee McDonnell  St Patrick’s, Shawni Dowdall St Mary’s, Martin Hynes Cu Chulainn Gaels, Mark Whelan Naomh Mairtin, Nicholas Browne St Mochta’s, Lorcan Dixon St Mary’s, James O’Reilly Cooley Kickhams(0-1), Shane Byrne Roche Emmets, Eoghan Callaghan Nh Mairtin, John Gallagher John Mitchells(0-4,1f), Fearghal Malone Cooley Kickhams(0-1), Joseph Quinn Cooley Kickhams, Phillip Kirwan St Nicholas, Conor Loughran Cooley Kickhams(0-1), Andrew Curley Dundalk Gaels (0-1)
Subs: Phillip Trainor St Mary’s for Whelan, Leonard Gray St.Patrick’s(2-0) for Kirwan, Dylan Maher St Kevin’s for Dixon, Cian Brady Oliver Plunkett’s for Loughran

Ref: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)