National Football League Division One B/ Down 0-15 Meath 1-8: Eamon Barry conceded that this was his first major disappointment since taking over from Seán Boylan as Meath football manager.
The Division One B National Football League opener, watched by 6,000 at Newcastle, proved a real sickener for Barry: "Not because we lost but because we could manage to play only to six per cent of our capacity."
Barry even lost a player, Michael Ward, sent off by referee Frank Flynn of Leitrim in the closing quarter.
"It's a big step up from O'Byrne Cup, the tempo is much faster at this level," emphasised Barry.
The Meath manager was also not in agreement with a number of decisions made by the referee.
Much of Barry's post-match comments had a lot to do with Meath's inability to capitalise on a great Ger Robinson goal in the closing minutes that cut Down's lead to a single point, 0-12 to 1-8.
But it was at this juncture that Down showed their true character with vibrant strikes for match-deciding points.
Down showed strength and drive in all of the important sectors, notably in defence where Martin Cole and Damien Rafferty were huge sources of inspiration for their team-mates.
Wing backs Paul Murphy and Mark Doran added to the side's sense of adventure by pushing forward and minimising any prospects of a real threat that the struggling Meath midfield had of making an impact.
When half of the Down midfield set-up was forcibly withdrawn because of an injury to Alan Molloy early on, the industrious Ambrose Rodgers dropped back from right wing forward to join Dan Gordon to good effect in the central position.
Down took time to click into top gear in a nip and tuck first half.
They in fact trailed by a point, although still looking good, 0-6 to 0-7, at half-time thanks to sterling work by Robinson in the Meath attack and despite the inspiration laid on by Down's attacking leader Michael Walsh.
Down resumed in a manner that signposted their win.
During the third quarter the home side bombarded the Meath cover and might have taken at least two goals instead of points by Gordon and Eoin McCartan.
Meath's challenge deteriorated at an alarming rate. So much so that they failed to add to their half-time tally until Robinson kicked a point after 28 minutes of the second period.
When Robinson landed the goal, and Michael McVeigh in the Down goal was obliged to save from the same player, Meath suddenly looked capable of a better result.
Down's finishing burst, which saw them reply in the dying minutes with outstanding points, was of real satisfaction to their followers and especially to Paddy O'Rourke, their manager.
O'Rourke said: "It showed the true character of this team when they refused to put their heads down after that Meath goal and instead applied greater pressure on the Meath defence than at most other stage during the match."
He added: "We were dominant in all of the important sectors of the pitch and that has to give us great encouragement for the weeks ahead."
Some of the younger Meath players found the pace of the game in total contrast to what they had already encountered earlier this year and at least one of the younger set mentioned it to Barry on their way in for the half-time break.
DOWN: M McVeigh; M Cole, B Grane, D Rafferty; P Murphy, J Clarke, M Doran (0-1); A Molloy, D Gordon (0-2); A Rodgers, M Walsh (0-4), D Hughes (0-2, one free); L Doyle (0-2), B Coulter (0-2), E McCartan (0-1). Subs: R Murtagh (0-1) for Coulter (58 mins).
MEATH: B Murphy; P Nugent, K Reilly, C King (0-1); N McLoughlin, J Donoghue, S Kenny; B Lynch, N Crawford; P Curran (0-2, one free), J Sheridan (0-1), S McAnarney; R Maguire (0-1), T Brosnan, G Robinson (1-3). Subs: G Geraghty for Maguire (47 mins), B Farrell for McAnarney (48), M Ward for Crawford (63).
Referee: F Flynn (Leitrim).
