A one point win for Meath over Clare in this Allianz Division 2 Football League game at Cusack Park yesterday guarantees the Royals division 2 football next season.
And it’s almost certain that Clare will also retain their Division 2 status for 2023 as they would have to suffer a heavy defeat from Down and Cork and Offaly would have to draw which would lead to score difference deciding who will join Down in division 3.
This division 2 clash played before an attendance of 1,375 was an evenly fought affair in which the teams were level on six occasions.
Clare will be disappointed with the result on a day when defensive errors again proved costly for them. Meath’s winning point came in the third of four additional minutes after the home side lost possession and Meath substitute James Conlon pounced for the final point of the tie.
The visitors made the better start and they raced 0-3 clear after nineteen minutes, all three scores coming from frees by Shane Walsh and Jordan Morris(2).
The game was twenty one minutes old before the home side opened their account through their captain Eoin Cleary and two converted frees from Darren Sexton had the sides level seven minutes later.
After this points were exchanged twice and the teams went to the break on level terms at 0-5 each.
On the resumption Clare hit the front for the first time seven minutes into the new half. Clare were dealt two huge blows in the third quarter with the loss to injury of defenders Manus Doherty and Cillian Brennan.
Midway through the second half Clare went two clear following points from Sexton and Emmet McMahon.
Meath responded through Joey Wallace and Cillian O’Sullivan to level the tie at 0-8 each with ten minutes remaining.
Substitute Conor Jordan put Clare back into the lead seven minutes from time but they were level again two minutes later thanks to a point from Meath substitute Bryan McMahon.
For the third game in a row, defensive errors proved costly for Clare and substitute James Conlon punished the home side with the match winning point.
Meath: H. Hogan; J. Muldoon, E. Harkin, R. Clarke; D. Keogan, G. McGowan. C. McGill; B. Menton (0-1), R. Jones; J. Scully T. O’Reilly, M. Costello; J. Morris (0-2, frees) S. Walsh (0-3, 2f) C. O’Sullivan (0-1)
Subs: J. Wallace (0-1) for Walsh(49); B. McMahon (0-1) for T. O’Reilly (60); J. O’Connor for Scully (63); J. Conlon (0-1) for Morris (68)
Clare: S. Ryan; M. Doherty, C. Brennan, C. Rouine; J. Malone, C. O’Dea, E. Collins; C. Russell, D. O’Neill; P. Lillis, E. Cleary (0-3), E. McMahon (0-1); A. Griffin, K. Sexton (0-4, 3 frees) D. Tubridy;
Subs: D. Walsh for Collins (half time); C. Jordan (0-1) for Doherty (inj. 40); G. Cooney for Brennan (inj. 49); J. McGann for Griffin (63)
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