Monaghan rampant as Meath struggle in Clones

Meath proved no match for a rampant Monaghan at Clones yesterday. The conditions were difficult, with a strong, biting wind and heavy showers leaving handling and footwork difficult, which did lead to mistakes. But it was still a game that produced some fine passages of play, though all of them came from Monaghan.

Monaghan got off to a flying start and the opening quarter was effectively the Conor McManus show as he fired over a number of excellent points from a range of distances and angles to help Monaghan settle into their rhythm.

In on the act
Christopher McGuinness, Thomas Kerr, Jack McCarron and Fintan Kelly also got in on the act as Monaghan racked up an eight-points lead by the 24th minute before Meath opened their account through Cillian O'Sullivan in the 25th minute.

That, in fact, turned out to be their only score of the first half as the Monaghan defence had the no through road signs up and thwarted a series of raids, with Meath then forced to shoot from further out, but to no avail.

Christopher McGuinness, Conor McManus, with two, and a brace from Thomas Kerr saw Monaghan finish the half strongly to lead by 11 points at the break, 0-12 to Meath 0-1.

Meath did put in an improved performance in the second half, moving Kevin Reilly to midfield and Shane O’Rourke to full forward as well as emptying their bench but they found the Monaghan defence still in resolute mood.

While they did register seven points in the second period they failed to find the Monaghan net for a goal that might have kick started a stronger revival and they were a well beaten side in the end.

Monaghan were awarded a penalty for a foul on McCarron but Meath goalkeeper Paddy O’Rourke made a great save to deny McCarron from the spot.