Heading into his 18th season as Meath manager, Sean Boylan must have been pleased with the manner in which his experimental side carved out victory over Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday,

Reduced to 14 men seven minutes from the break, John McDermott received a direct red card for using his elbow on Clare's David Russell, Boylan can thank corner forward Ray Magee for his enormous contribution, particularly in the closing stages.

Trailing by two points 0-10 to 0-8, with six minutes remaining, the Kilmainham Wood man scored four points and set up a Ronan Fitzsimons goal to cement victory for the Royal County. The introduction of the experienced Jody Devine and Donal Curtis in the final quarter, proved how the astute Boylan is, and emphasises his tactical genius in a tight situation. Up to this Clare had nosed two points in front, and looked like going the distance, but the shoring up of his attack with two experienced heads to compliment some youthful and useful talent, is a testament to Boylan's guile.

In the first half the home side had the better of the exchanges but still could only manage to retire on level footing at 0-4 each, even with an extra man. In the closing stages of the half Meath came storming back into a game that up to then, had been governed by Clare.

The third quarter was a tit-for-tat affair, with both sides cancelling out each other's scores. But by the 23rd minute of the half, the Banner had forged into a two point lead courtesy of scores from the influential Joe Considine and a fine Michael O'Shea point when he took on the Meath defence.

But following Boylan's tactical substitutions, the Meath attack began to take on a more potent appearance. Four Magee points, two from frees and a clever fisted goal by Ronan Fitzsimons from a Magee delivery sealed victory.

Clare pulled back a free from the boot of O'Shea in injury time, but by now the points were winging their way back in the direction of the Hill of Tara.

MEATH: C O'Sullivan; P Shankey, R Rennicks, C Murphy; P Reynolds, A Moyles, H Traynor; N Crawford (0-1), D Fay (0- 1); N Nestor, C McCarthy, D Byrne; R Magee (0-8, 4 frees), J McDermott, S Bray (0-1). Subs: R Fitzsimons (1-1) for Myles, J Devine for Byrne, D Curtis for McCarthy, M O Dowd for Bray.

CLARE: F Maguire; N Hawes, B Considine, P Smyth; M O'Connell, D O'Sullivan (0-1), R Slattery; D Russell, D Russell (0-1); D O'Driscoll, J Considine (0-2), J Young (0-1); G Keane (0-1), G Quinlan, M O'Shea (0-4, all frees). Subs: D Molohan for Quinlan, C Considine (0-1) for Keane, N Considine for O'Driscoll, K Nugent for Slattery.

Referee: D Joyce (Galway).