Celtic Challenge: 2nd win for young Royals
May 25, 2018
The Meath squad that defeated Carlow in Ashbourne
Meath 2-9 Carlow 1-7
A cracking second win for Meath in the Celtic Challenge competition against a fiercely competitive Carlow side. This was a brilliant gutsy effort, particularly against the wind in the second half. Full-back Ruairí Coulter was the winner of the Best and Fairest award and was part of a heroic rearguard action, Níall O Laoire throwing himself in front of a late goal attempt to make a vital block and Ciaran Browne completing a combative last line where Conor Lyons was coolness personified in the goal.
Aaron Traynor was rock solid under the long puck-outs of the Carlow goalkeeper and Adam Boyle's distribution from the half-back line was a feature, fellow wing-back Josh McGrath even stealing forward to take a clever switch pass from Jack Lanigan to point in the first half.
A point and a free from captain Fionn Murphy settled Meath early on with Alex O'Kane showing good vision to set up Jack Lanigan for another fine point. Martin Keogh then slung over a great score from the sideline before Carlow snatched a goal just before half-time. Ciaran Regan responded with a brilliant solo effort for Meath to put the home side two ahead.
Backed by a strong breeze, Carlow soon levelled, but it was the signal for Meath to find another gear, Martin Keogh and Daire Flynn hurling up a storm around the middle with help from the roaming Fionn Murphy. Stephen Rice, Sean Murphy and Sean Mulligan were always threatening inside and the key score came from Lee Walsh who tore through the Carlow defence and buried the ball in the back of the net. Ciaran Regan hit a big point to cap a fine display and Ryan Byas added another sweet score on the run as Eoin Keoghan joined a tremendous team effort on the night.
Roll on the quarter-finals.
Meath scorers: Ciaran Regan 1-2, Lee Walsh 1-0, Fionn Murphy 0-2 (1f), Martin Keogh 0-2 (1f), Jack Lanigan 0-1, Josh McGrath 0-1, Ryan Byas 0-1
Meath squad: Conor Lyons; Ciaran Browne, Ruari Coulter, Níall O Laoire; Adam Boyle, Aaron Traynor, Josh McGrath; Martin Keogh, Daire Flynn; Paul O'Brien, Ciaran Regan, Jack Lanigan; Fionn Murphy, Sean Murphy, Alex O'Kane; Lee Walsh, Stephen Rice, Tom Roddy, Sean Mulligan, Ryan Byas, Eoin Keoghan.
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