Royals late surge adds to Kildare woes
Kildare have now lost their first four games in the league for the first time following Meath defeat
Meath 0-12
Kildare 0-9
Last March Kildare and Meath clashed in a vital AFL Division 2 game, the final game played at St Conleth's Park, Newbridge as the redevelopment got under way the following day.
Kildare won that day, somewhat comfortably and duly booked their place in the All-Ireland Series.
On the other hand Colm O'Rourke's side, while retaining their divisional status were demoted to the Tailteann Cup, a competition the Royals went on to win.
On Sunday the great rivalry between these two counties was on show again, in the AFL Round 4 this time and it was a vital game both .
Kildare had not recorded a win to date in this year's league while Meath had one win and a draw. So much at stake. A win for the home side and they would be all but assured of retaining their divisional status while a loss for Kildare, making it their fourth from four, would certainly reduce their odds big time of remaining in Division 2.
In many respects this was a typical game between two great rivals; nothing asked and nothing given; tight, tense and down to the wire.
It may not have been the greatest game, in fact and to be honest what was on offer was from two teams presently a long way off from days when both could compete at the top table.
It certainly looked like Glenn Ryan's side were going to get that much sought after first victory when they took control for much of the second half, despite losing some of their top players to injury, but Meath, as they have done in good times and not so good times, dug deep and eeked out a result coming from a point down to hit the final four points of the game.
It was another devastating set-back for Kildare who certainly showed major improvement in certain areas but in the end of the day continue to cough up chances, some very good chances in front of goal.
Eoghan Frayne got The Royals up and running after just 23 seconds with a fine point while Daniel Flynn saw his 'mark' drift left and wide.
Kevin Feely converted a free after the ball was brought forward by referee Mulhare to level up matters.
Meath showed early that they meant business when Frayne put Shane Walsh in on the goal. Mark Donnellan advanced and brought off a brilliant save while Meath 'keeper, Sean Brennan, stepped up to convert the resultant 45 and make it 0-2 to 0-1 with just three minutes on the clock.
Barry Kelly was already working his socks off, chasing and harrying with good effect.
Ben McCormack got his first to draw level after fine work from Daniel Flynn.
A foul on Cathal Hickey saw Meath regain the lead from a Matthew Costello free as Kildare were finding it difficult to get the ball into their inside men as the Meath defence was operating impressively.
Ronan Jones put two between them and Sean Brennan (free) pushed that lead out to three on 15 minutes.
Just before that point Kildare were hit with a big blow when Darragh Kirwan was forced off with an injury, replaced by Niall Kelly.
A lovely effort from Ben McCormack, from wide on the right, reduced the lead before the Sarsfields clashed with Matthew Costello, a clash that saw both players in need of treatment; McCormack given a yellow card.
Eoghan Frayne had the lead back out to three with a free as we reached the 20 minute mark.
Eoin Doyle got forward, was fouled and Mark Donnellan fired over as Mick O'Grady got in a brilliant shoulder but a wide and a 'short' did little for the Kildare cause.
Kevin Feely made a brilliant fetch as Kildare came forward with Jack Sargent putting Alex Beirne in on goal. The Naas man's effort however, was brilliant blocked out by Sean Brennan in the Meath goal; the ball broke to Daniel Flynn but he was quickly smothered up, lost possession and the danger cleared.
A short from both sides saw the score remain the same, 0-6 to 0-4. Ben McCormack required more treatment close to the sideline, and with no free given the Kildare fans certainly made their feelings known.
Meath no. 6, Darragh Campion was rightly shown a black card on 31 minutes; a great interception by Kevin Feely saw Kildare attack at pace with Ben McCormack hitting over a brilliant effort.
Kevin Flynn picked up a yellow for, seemingly, putting a jersey? as Meath held on to possession happy to run down the clock to the break, a man down before referee handed out three more yellow, Cian McBride (M) and Arron Masterson and Barry Kelly all going into the book, the half-time whistle arrived, Meath ahead by one 0-7 to 0-6.
Ben McCormack failed to reappear after the break, another blow for The Lilies, he was replaced by Shane Farrell, while Meath replaced midfielder Cian McBride with Danny Dixon.
Kevin Feely had the sides level three minutes into the second half as Meath were back to full strength and the influential no. 6 saw up Eoghan Frayne and the home side were back in front.
A foul Kevin Feely, who was having an excellent game, saw Mark Donnellan's effort fall short before Niall Kelly made a brilliant block only to see his follow-up pass go astray.
Darragh Campion hit an inspirational point to edge his side two clear but Kildare came back strongly, took control around the middle and went after Meath big time.
Alex Beirne reduced the lead with a fine point; a Paddy Woodgate effort was short; great work from Kevin Feely led to Niall Kelly leveling up the game on 49 minutes.
Feely set up Eoin Doyle and Kildare were in front for the first time on 52.
The Lilies were now dominating but failed to put that dominance onto the score board; Kevin Feely pushed a free wide while Ryan Burke, a goal chance, but elected to go for a point but off balance his shot went right and wide.
Eoin Doyle was forced off injured, another big blow for Kildare and his absence was badly missed as the Naas man was enjoying a great second half, defending well and even more importantly getting forward and causing problems.
Somehow after being under the cosh for long periods and not having scored for nearly 20 minutes, Meath came forward firing over four points on the trot from Cathal Hickey, Ruairí Kinsella, Matthew Costello (free) and Aaron Lynch t0 leave the final score reading Meath 0-12 Kildare 0-9.
A big blow for Kildare despite a much improved performance at the back and midfield but it was up front where the big problems lay on the day, not helped with three starting forward forced off with injuries.
Next up Cork in Pairc Uí Chaoimh this Sunday.
Scorers: Meath, Eoghan Frayne 0-3 (2 frees), Sean Brennan 0-2 (45, free), Matthew Costello 0-2 (2 frees), Daragh Champion 0-1, Ruairi Kinsella 0-1, Aaron Lynch 0-1, Cathal Hickey 0-1, Ronan Jones 0-1.
Kildare, Ben McCormack 0-3, Kevin Feely 0-2 (2 frees), Mark Donnellan 0-1 (free), Eoin Doyle 0-1, Alex Beirne 0-1, Niall Kelly 0-1.
Meath: Sean Brennan; Donal Keogan, Adam O'Neill, Brian O'Halloran; Ciaran Caulfield, Darragh Campion, Sean Coffey; Ronan Jones, Cian McBride; Daithí McGowan, Eoghan Frayne, Jack O'Connor; Shane Walsh, Matthew Costello, Cathal Hickey. Subs: Danny Dixon for Cian McBride (half-time); Ruairí Kinsella for Jack O'Connor (53 minutes); Aaron Lynch for Daithi McGowan (59 minutes); Michael Murphy for Sean Coffey. (68 minutes); Adam McDonald for Eoghan Frayne (72 minutes).
Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Ryan Houlihan, Mick O'Grady cpt., Eoin Doyle; Jack Sargent, Kevin Flynn, Paddy McDermott; Aaron Masterson, Ryan Burke; Barry Kelly, Ben McCormack, Alex Beirne; Darragh Kirwan, Kevin Feely, Daniel Flynn. Subs: Niall Kelly for Darragh Kirwan (inj. 14 minutes); Shane Farrell for Ben McCormack (inj. half-time); Paddy Woodgate for Barry Kelly (inj. 43 minutes); Shea Ryan for Eoin Doyle (inj. 64 minutes).
REFEREE: Seamus Mulhare, Laois.
MAIN MAN
At the back Eoin Doyle had an excellent game, well supported by Ryan Houlihan, Mick O'Grady; Aaron Masterson and Kevin Flynn did well in midfield; up front Ben McCormack was having a big impact until injured as was Barry Kelly. However, Kevin Feely had an outstanding game throughout as is awarded the Man of the match.
TURNING POINT
When Kildare led by a point well into the second half they had some fine chances to increase that lead but a missed a free and a goal chance that was spurned before Meath came with that late surge proved the difference between the sides.
TALKING POINT
From a Meath point of view, the win should ensure they will retain their Division 2 status while on the opposite side of things Kildare just don't seem to be able to get over the line. The Lilies can still mathematically survive but it is looking extremely dodgy and are now hot favs for the drop.
WHAT NOW?
Kildare travel to Pairc Uí Chaoimh to take on Cork who got their first win of the campaign last Sunday. It's a win or burst game for The Lilies.