Galway 1-14 Meath 2-14:Meath continued their resurgent run in the qualifiers with an impressive win over Galway in Portlaoise, immediately after old rivals Cork edged past Louth at O'Moore Park to book their Senior Football Championship quarter-final place.
The Royal County began with embattled forward Graham Geraghty on the bench. On the pitch two goals from Stephen Bray helped them take control of the first half and was laregely responsible for their 2-06 to 0-06 halftime lead.
After the break Galway were given hope when substitute Stephen McGowan was adjudged to have fouled Michael Meehan in the box and the forward smashed home the penalty himself.
The was a massive roar from the Meath fans when Geraghty emerged in the second half for his first appearance since being axed from the squad after a training ground bust-up with teenage panelist Stephen Sheppard. The two-time All Star recipient was not long getting on the scoresheet either but only managed the one point.
Galway introduced their own talisman in the shape of Padraig Joyce, who replaced Jarlath Fallon. However Joyce, so often the hero for the Tribesmen, was unable to prevent what looked for a long time like a Meath win.
Cork 0-16 Louth 0-14:Earlier Cork were pushed all the way by Louth. The Rebels were forced to fight for their win after trailing by one at the break after a first half which Louth dominated for long periods.
Indeed, five unanswered points from Louth laid the foundation for that narrow 0-09 to 0-08 lead that, in the end, was not enough to keep Cork at bay.
Cork managed another eight in the second period, thanks largely to James Masters who was ruthless with his free-kicks, and in part to referee Martin Duffy who was at times generous when awarding them. The quarter-final draw for will be made tomorrow week.
Meanwhile, the GAA has announced that it has "provisionally approved an application from the FAI and IRFU respectively to play two friendly/ranking games each in Croke Park in 2008".
The decision was made today at a meeting of the Central Council.
"The decision is contingent on agreement being reached with the respective governing bodies on terms and dates," a GAA statement said today.
"The competitive games already approved for 2008 are on February 2nd , February 23rd and March 8th (rugby) and October 11th and 15th (soccer)."