Laois 1-16 Meath 2-13
A dramatic-time penalty from Meath full-forward Kevin Ross saw the Royals book their place in the semi-finals of the O’Byrne Cup, at the expense of hosts Laois, in Stradbally on Saturday night.
Ross tucked away a controversially awarded spot-kick, after Kieran Lillis was deemed to have fouled his man off the ball.
Laois were two points up at the time and set for the last four themselves, and even though Colm Begley kicked a late leveller, Meath advance on scoring difference.
The visitors had dominated the opening 30 minutes, opening up an eight point lead thanks to Cillian O’Sullivan’s deflected goal, 1-9 to 0-4 the score.
Laois finally came to life after that, with sub Sean Ramsbottom spurring them into action. He kicked two and Laois fought back to trail 1-10 to 0-10 at the break.
Joe Sheridan hadn’t had much to do in the first half as he made his debut between the posts, but his hopes of a clean sheet were dashed in the 38th minute with Donie Kingston goaled for Laois.
Three more points from Kingston appeared to have Laois on course for the last four, but Ross held his nerve late on to send Meath through
Scorers for Laois: Donie Kingston 1-4 (0-1 free), Gary Walsh 0-4 (two frees), Sean Ramsbottom, Colm Begley 0-2 each, Kevin Meaney, Niall Donoher, Cormac Murphy, David Conway 0-1 each.
Scorers for Meath: Kevin Ross 1-3 (0-3 frees), Cillian O’Sullivan 1-1, Graham Reilly 0-3, Cian O’Brien 0-2, Bryan McMahon, Sean Tobin (f), Bobby O’Brien, Donal Lenihan (free) 0-1 each.
Laois
1. Graham Brody (Portlaoise)
2. Darren Strong (Emo)
3. Denis Booth (The Heath)
20. Kieran Lillis (Portlaoise)
5. Stephen Attride (Killeshin)
6. Alan Farrell (Ballylinan)
7. Colm Begley (Stradbally)
8. Kevin Meaney (Arles-Kilcruise)
9. John O’Loughlin (St Brigids)
10. Cormac Murphy (Crettyard)
11. Paul Kingston (Arles-Killeen)
12. Gary Walsh (Ballylinan)
13. Ruairi O’Connor (Timahoe)
14. Donie Kingston (Arles-Killeen)
15. Niall Donoher (Courtwood)
Subs:
26. David Conway (Arles-Kilcruise) for O’Connor (injured – 19 mins)
18. Sean Ramsbottom (Timahoe) for O’Loughlin (27 to 29, Blood Sub)
18. Sean Ramsbottom for Murphy (29 mins)
17. Jamie Farrell (Ballylinan) for Ramsbottom (injured – 49 mins)
19. Ross Munnelly (Arles-Kilcruise) for P Kingston (54 mins)
21. Ciaran Lennon (Timahoe) for Meaney (58 mins)
24. Shane Nerney (O’Dempsey’s) for Booth (injured – 60 mins)
25. Sean Moore (Ballyfin) for Walsh (63 mins)
23. Danny Luttrell (Courtwood) for Donoher (Black Card – 67 mins)
Meath
1. Joe Sheridan (Seneschalstown)
2. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny)
3. David McQuillan (St Patrick’s)
4. Mickey Burke (Longwood)
5. Conor Downey (Na Fianna)
6. Brian Power (Ratoath)
7. Sean Curran (Donaghmore/Ashbourne)
8. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne)
9. Cian O’Brien (Ratoath)
10. Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey)
11. Graham Reilly (St Colmcille’s)
12. Paddy Kennelly (Dunderry)
13. Bryan McMahon (Ratoath)
14. Kevin Ross (Castletown)
15. Donal Lenihan (Dunboyne)
Subs:
23. Sean Tobin (Simonstown Gaels) for Ross (15 to 17, Blood Sub)
17. Alan Forde (Navan O’Mahony’s) for Power (ht)
21. Adam Flanagan (Clonard) for McQuillan (41 mins)
22. Bobby O’Brien (Ratoath) for Kennelly (45 mins)
23. Sean Tobin for McMahon (52 mins)
24. Fiachra Ward (Wolfe Tones) for Lenihan (59 mins)
19. David Toner (Curraha) for O’Sullivan (58 mins)
20. Declan Smyth (Dunsany) for Downey (70 mins)
Referee: Fergal Smyth (Offaly)
