Meath 0-20 Westmeath 2-14
Meath turned in an exceptional second half performance to earn a share of the spoils with neighbours Westmeath in this Leinster Under 20 hurling championship Tier 2 match played in blustery conditions at Pairc Tailteann. PHOTOS
Tom Shine got the home side on the scoreboard first but by the 10th minute Westmeath were 1-5 to 0-1 in front. David O’Reilly with the goal on the 7th minute. That scoring blitz also included an exceptional point from a sideline cut from Darragh McCormack. The visitors still dominated by the 20th minute and were 1-10 to 0-6 in front. Meath’s hard work was rewarded with three unanswered points from Mark Leavy (2) and Mark Horan before the games second goal arrived, David Williams blasting home from the penalty spot. Meath finished with a brace from Lorcan Byrne and Shine to leave it 2-10 to 0-11 at the break.
McCormack extended Westmeath’s lead with the opening score of the second half. Meath were beginning to win all the break around the middle of the park and their dominance began to show on the scoreboard. Five unanswered points from Paddy Barnwell, Donal Rogers, Shine, Leavy and corner back Cian O’Sullivan narrowed the lead to the minimum after 16 minutes.
McCormack with another outstanding sideline cut and another from O’Reilly put three between the sides again but Sean Corrigan’s men refused to give up. Free’s from Leavy (2) and Shine had the game all square entering injury time. Williams gave Westmeath the lead but with the last play of the game referee Mark Ryan awarded the home side a free and Leavy duly dispatched the earn his side a share of the spoils.
Meath scorers: Mark Leavy 0-8, Tom Shine 0-5, Cian O’Sullivan 0-2, Mark Horan, Darragh Heffernan, Donal Rogers, Lorcan Byrne and Paddy Barnwell 0-1 each.
Westmeath scorers: David Williams 1-6, David O’Reilly 1-3, Darragh McCormack 0-3, Conor Heffernan and Peter Clarke 0-1 each
Referee Mark Ryan Dublin
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