National Football League Division One B/ Limerick 2-5; Meath 1-8: Limerick bounced back from the dead to snatch a dramatic injury-time equalising goal from wing back Conor Mullane to give them a share of the points against Meath at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday.
Meath, backed by the strong wind, were looking comfortable at 1-8 to 1-5 when the ball bounced in off Mullane's knees in a goalmouth scramble, after Damien Reidy had delivered from far out.
Meath manager Seán Boylan was furious with referee Michael Daly, who had initially awarded a free out. It was only after Limerick players protested that the official consulted an umpire and reversed his decision.
His Limerick counterpart Liam Kearns felt it was no more than his side deserved. "We hit three wides from scoreable positions coming up to the end. We had nine wides in the first half and despite playing against the elements, we had as much of the possession as Meath afterwards."
A subdued Limerick had their opening score from Damien Reidy delayed until the ninth minute - by which stage Joe Sheridan and Brian Farrell had powered the visitors in front.
Muiris Gavin, Maurice Horan and Stephen Kelly continued to shoot a litany of wides. Meath also saw goalkeeper David Gallagher pull off a string of saves. About 25 minutes had elapsed when Kelly levelled the match for Limerick, but it was back to square one when Sheridan and Farrell made it 0-4 to 0-2.
However, points from Mark Keane and Eoin Keating left the sides level at the break, Limerick's prospects of holding on to league leadership looked slim. They had shot nine wides to their opponents' one.
Within seconds of the restart Farrell showed how it was done with a point from 40 yards. Ray Magee tapped over another and Meath promised to take over.
With four changes in personnel from their original line-out, Meath had that look of authority about them.
Kelly revived Limerick hopes from a free, which was cancelled out by Sheridan.
Then came two minutes of high drama. The home fans in the 2,500 crowd were on their feet to celebrate a cracking goal from Kelly, but 50 seconds later lowered their colours again.
Evan Kelly raced on to a long clearance from Anthony Moyles and drove the ball past a stranded Seamus O'Donnell.
Substitute Daithí Regan then struck for a point to open up a three points advantage for the visitors.
Limerick, battling bravely, were winning possession but their cause was not helped with three wides from placed balls. But sheer grit saw them salvage a share of the honours.
LIMERICK: S O'Donnell; M O'Riordan, J McCarthy, T Stack; C Mullane (1-0), S Lucey, D Reidy (0-1); J Quane, J Galvin; S Kelly (1-2), M Gavin, M O'Brien; M Horan, M Keane (0-1), E Keating (0-1). Subs: D Sheehy for Lucey (15 mins); Lucey for Sheehy (18); J Murphy for Gavin (26); M Reidy for Horan (35); S Lavin for Keane (63).
MEATH: D Gallagher; P Reynolds, T O'Connor, M O'Reilly; N McKeague, D Fay, S Kenny; T Moyles, C McCarthy; R Magee (0-1), T Giles, D Byrne; B Farrell (0-3), E Kelly (1-0), J Sheridan (0-3). Subs: R Kealy for Byrne (47 mins); D Regan (0-1) for Magee (52); C Murphy for O'Connor (61); A Kenny for Kelly (63).
Referee: M Daly (Mayo)
