Gaelic Games

Classy Jamie Clarke guides Armagh to victory over Meath in Navan

Paul Grimley’s side show their resolve as they recover from a five-point deficit during the second quarter

Jamie Clarke: played a captain’s role with a personal tally of 11 points to help Armagh to victory over Meath in Navan. Photo: Jonathan Porter/Presseye/Inpho
Sun Mar 02 2014 - 16:14

Meath 2-10 Armagh 0-19
Strong finishes to the respective halves enabled Armagh gain a first Division Two victory as Meath went down to a second successive defeat at Páirc Tailteann on Saturday night.

Team captain Jamie Clarke spearheaded the success with a contribution of 11 points, eight from frees, as his side recovered from a deficit of five points in the first half.

Meath, who lost by 12 points to Monaghan in the previous round, looked to be on the road to victory when Michael Newman and promising newcomer Bryan McMahon grabbed goals while the team had the aid of a biting breeze in the first period.

Newman's goal was a fortunate score with visitors' keeper Philip McEvoy allowing a harmless-looking shot trickle past him and McMahon fisted in the second on 26 minutes.

Four scores
That left the board reading 2-4 to 0-5 but Paul Grimley's side struck the last four scores, three from Clarke, before the break to leave it 2-5 to 0-10.

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Despite now facing the elements, Meath resumed strongly to increase the lead to four points and that could have been more as the lively Eamonn Wallace and Newman went close with goal attempts.

But the home side flattered to deceive as they only added two further points in the remaining 28 minutes.

Caolan Rafferty had the sides level for the first time since the early stages before substitute Eugene McVerry edged Armagh ahead for the first time with less than 10 minutes left.

Clarke slotted over the last two scores, free and play, as his side jumped above Meath on the table. Both sides picked up black cards, Armagh's Aaron Findon in the first half and Meath sub Damien Carroll in the second.
MEATH: P O'Rourke; D Keogan, K Reilly, M Burke; P Harnan, B Menton, E Harrington; A Tormey, S O'Rourke (0-1); E Wallace (0-2), S Bray, G Reilly (0-2); D Bray (0-1, free), B McMahon (1-2), M Newman (1-2, 0-1free). Subs: D Carroll for G Reilly (51 mins), D McDonagh for S Bray (51 mins), S Kenny for Tormey (57 mins), D Tobin for Carroll (black card, 62 mins), D Larkin for S O'Rourke (63 mins).
ARMAGH: P McEvoy; P Hughes, A Mallon, M Murray; M Shields, C Vernon, F O'Neill; A Findon, S Harold (0-2); T Kernan, K Dyas, C Rafferty (0-2); J Clarke (0-11, eight frees), S Campbell (0-2, one 45), O Mac Iomhair (0-1). Subs: S Forker for Findon (black card, 31 mins), B Mallon for Kernan (39 mins), E McVerry (0-1) for Mac Iomhair (53 mins), J Hanratty for Vernon (70 mins).
Referee: M Deegan (Laois).