Vocational Schools team defeated by Meath

23.10.10 | Meath 1-10 Longford 2-3


A good first-half scoring return proved decisive as Meath saw off Longford in this Leinster Vocational Schools Inter-County Senior Football ‘A’ Semi-Final at foggy Pairc Tailteann on Saturday.

A 1-8 to 0-1 interval advantage cushioned Kit Henry's charges against a Longford second-half rally that same them outscore the home side by 2-2 to 0-2.

While the trimming of the deficit was down to a degree of sloppiness of behalf of the home side after the restart, Longford might have got closer to Meath had they made the most of the goal chances that came their way.

Saves in quick succession by Meath 'keeper Conor McHugh from Oisin Farrell and John Murphy prevented Longford from earting further into the hosts' lead.

Earlier in the half Longford's netminder Sean Percival kept out Bobby O'Brien goal effort with a fine relfex save, but the Meath number 10 followed up to leave it 1-9 to 0-2.

Meath's only other second-half score arrived in the 56th minute courtesy of top scorer Bryan McMahon and eight points separated the sides 1-10 to 1-2. 


Three minutes later Bernard Dempsey got in for Longford's second goal before McHugh prevented Kyle Fitzmaurice from raising another green flag for the visitors. 


A John Murphy point for Longford closed the scoring before time ran out on Gerry Belton's charges who defeated Kildare by 1-10 to 1-8 in their previous outing.

Fresh from a big win over Offaly seven days earlier, Meath opened brightly, posting as many points at the town end in the opening four minutes. 


Their scoring rate dropped as visibility deteriorated but Meath had eight points chalked up before Kyle Fitzmaurice opened Longford's account from a free in the 23rd minute.

In the last meaningful action of the half, McMahon netted with the lively Liam Tolan providing the assist and Meath turned around with a ten points advantage. 


MEATH: Conor McHugh; Alistair Doyle, Conor McGill, Gavin Eiffe; Matt Devine, Paddy Haslam, Ryan Tighe; Cian O'Brien, Phelim Dowling (0-1); Bobby O'Brien (0-2), Danny McGovern (0-3), Sean Sheridan; Bryan McMahon (1-1), Andy O'Brien (0-1), Liam Tolan (0-2, one free).

SUBS USED:- Kevin McCormack for A O'Brien (42 mins); Anthony Owens for P Haslam (injured, 52 mins); Barry Farrelly for B McMahon (56 mins).

LONGFORD: Sean Percival (Ballymahon Secondary School); Jamie Noonan (Ballymahon SS), James Madden (Cnoc Mhuire, Granard), Adrian McLoughlin (Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard); Chris Carberry (Lanesboro Community College), Oisin Farrell (Ballymahon SS), Ian Moran (Ballymahon Vocational School); Trevor English (Ballymahon SS), Darren Gallagher (Ardscoil Phadraig); Ciaran Murtagh (Lanesboro CC), Thomas Mulvihill (Ballymahon SS), Pedro Byrne (Ballymahon SS); Kyle Fitzmaurice (Ballymahon VS, 1-1, point from free), Johnny Murphy (Cnoc Mhuire, 0-1), Benny Dempsey (Cnoc Mhuire, 1-0).

SUBS USED:- Wayne O'Hara (Cnoc Mhuire, 0-1) for C Carberry (20 mins); Keith McGuire (Ballymahon SS) for T Mulvihill (42 mins); Sean Coughlan (Ballymahon SS) for J Noonan (42 mins); Shane Donoghue (Ballymahon SS) for C Murtagh (52 mins); Tom Fox (Cnoc Mhuire) for A McLoughlin (56 mins).

REFEREE: Paul Finnegan (Louth).