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Exiles still propping up table National Hurling League
Division 2B, Round Four
London 1-7
Meath 1-20
London’S hurlers had little to celebrate on St. Patrick’s
Day after Meath inflicted their fourth league defeat in a blustery Ruislip
last Sunday.
The Exiles remain rooted at the foot of the Division 2B table and bar
a mathematical miracle look set to stay there after the final round of
fixtures this weekend.
It’s been a miserable campaign for Mick O’Dea’s side.
The Royals had the edge on their opponents in every part of the pitch
and with Niall Hackett constantly keeping the scoreboard ticking over
with his deadly accurate frees, London were never able to get themselves
within touching distance.
The game was played on a bog of a pitch which was suffering from the heavy
rainfall the day previous, yet it still didn’t stop Meath flying
out of the traps.
Hackett fired four frees in the opening 10 minutes to give his side a
dream start to proceedings.
London — with Meath native Fergus McMahon playing in midfield —
struggled to get a foothold in the game and when Martin Finn knocked over
their first score 10 minutes before the break they were already staring
at yet another defeat.
Finn bagged two further points late in the half but an injury-time free
from Hackett gave Meath a 0-8 to 0-3 lead at the interval.
It could have been even worse for the Exiles had goalkeeper Gary McCollum
not pulled off an outstanding save to deny a Nicky Horan piledriver.
It got no better for London after the restart as Meath extended their
lead through captain Stephen Clynch and Ger O’Neill.
With frustration getting the better of the home side, Hackett was on hand
to punish any ill-discipline and two frees in three minutes from the St.
Peter’s clubman had the Royals out of sight.
As the game petered out, Meath broke through for their only goal of the
game.
An over-hit pass forced Horan wide but his low first-time shot flew past
McCollum into the bottom corner of the net.
London managed a consolation goal deep into injury-time when Noel O’Callaghan
rose highest to smash past Stephen Quinn but London were well-beaten on
the day.
London travel to Down this weekend for their final League game knowing
that they will be plying their trade in Division 3 next season.
London: G McCollum; P Lynch, T Simms, M Mythen; J Morris, N Healey, S
Creaven; F McMahon, S Quinn (0-1, 1f); T Abernetty, M Finn (0-5, 3f),
C O’Halloran; J McGaughan, N O’Callaghan (1-0), K McMullen.
Subs: S Malone for O’Callaghan (21mins); O’Callaghan for McMullan
(46mins); C Forde for Abernetty (56mins); J McCarthy & M Traynor for
Mythen & McGaughan.
Meath: S Quinn; M Horan (0-1), E Fitzgerald, P Gannon; S Donoghue, D Donnelly,
P Geoghagan; A Ryan (0-2), D Crimmins; M Cole, N Hackett (0-12, 10f),
S Clynch (0-2); G O’Neill (0-2), N Horan (1-1), J Keena (0-1).
Subs: M Dunne for Keena (64mins); T Fox for Geoghagan (66mins); D Brennan
for Gannon (68mins); M Foley for Horan (70mins).
Referee: Seanie McMahon (Clare). |
