Meath edge out spirited Donegal in thrilling NHL Division 2 opener

Despite putting in a resourceful and spirited display, Donegal lost out to Meath in their opening encounter in the NHL Division 2 at Trim on Saturday.  

The closeness of the finish underlines how well the visitors played. How well they hurled and battled for every ball.  

The outcome of this roller-coaster encounter was very much in the balance until the closing minutes when a flurry of points from Meath’s chief marksman Jack Regan helped them get over the line. 

The tenacious visitors led 1-13 to 2-9 with 66 minutes played and were poised to push on to chalk up a victory few would have predicted. It was then that the home side dug deep and fashioned opportunities for Regan to show what he could do.  

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The Kiltaleman was not found wanting as he fired over three unanswered points, two frees, to help give his side the win they just about deserved. The victory also ensured new Meath manager Johnny Greville got his reign underway in the league in the manner he would have sought. 

Not that this was a five-star display from the Royal County. They really struggled to contain a well-organised, inventive Donegal side who had spells in front including after 12 minutes when goalkeeper Luke White stepped forward to drive the ball to the Meath net from a powerfully-struck penalty.  

That put the Ulster side 1-2 to 1-1 in the lead with Liam McKinney adding another point soon afterwards. 

Meath, however, came back to lead 1-7 to 1-6 at the interval, helped by an early goal from Cian Rogers who powered forward before firing the ball low to the net. 

Donegal had the assistance of the icy breeze in the second-half but their cause was seriously undermined when Greville’s men fashioned a second goal, this time scored by Regan.  

With Brian McIntyre and Gerard Gilmore firing over some sweet points, Donegal edged in front again as this engaging contest drew to a conclusion. 

Donegal’s management had every reason to be optimistic they could cause an upset and return home with a victory or a draw at least.   

But then Regan, one of the most experienced players in this Meath team, stepped up to give his team the edge when it mattered most. Meath finished strongly and won the day. 

The Ulster side can take tremendous encouragement from the way they tackled and pressed their opponents often forcing Meath to take misdirected shots and also carved out some fine scores in this encouraging display.   

Meath Scorers: Jack Regan 1-7, 5fs; Cian Rogers 1-2; James Cooke 0-1; Simon Ennis 0-1; Kris Gorman 0-1. 
Donegal Scorers: Gerard Gilmore 0-7, 6fs; Luke White 1-1, 1 penalty, 1 free; Brian McIntyre 0-3; Danny Cullen 0-1; Sean Ward 0-1; Liam McKinney 0-1. 

Meath: Colm O’Riordan; Jarlath Ennis, Ben Holden, Domhnall Rogers; James Cooke, Daire Shine, Simon Ennis; Joey Cole, Kris Gorman; Lorcan Byrne, Jack Regan, Nicky Potterton; Sean Corbett, Cian Rogers, Mikey Cole. Subs: Mark Horan for Corbett (42), Darren O’Higgins for M Cole (53), James Toher for Gorman (61). 

Donegal: Luke White; Oisin Kelly, Christopher McDermott, Padraig Doherty; Brian McIntyre, Jack O’Loughlin, Conor O’Grady; Cormac Finn, Danny Cullen; Sean Ward, Liam McKinney, Sean McVeigh; Gerard Gilmore, Josh Cronolly McGee, Ronan McDermott. Subs: Michael Donoghue for O’Grady (ht), Ciaran Bradley for Doherty and Conor Gartland for Cronolly McGee (both 46), Peter Kelly for Ward (55). 

Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork).