Meath 0-10 Wexford 0-7: IT WAS big game for both sides but it was Meath who hung on for a deserved three-point victory in this hard-hitting Division Two game at Wexford Park yesterday.
It was the usual grit and determination, added to the fact they showed more craft and composure which eventually saw Meath record their second successive victory, which lifts them out of the relegation zone.
Wexford once again lined out without Matty Forde, although he was listed in the official 15. While the forward did make an appearance for the closing 18 minutes he failed to register a score, kicking three wides, two frees, on a day when the home side could manage only two points from play.
The home side were first to score when Shane Cullen pointed a third-minute free, but points from Cian Ward, one free and one from play, had the visitors leading 0-2 to 0-1 after 14 minutes.
Wexford were wasteful during this opening spell and kicked five wides, but with Stephen Bray, Mark Ward and Cian Ward all tagging on points Meath led by 0-5 to 0-1 after 23 minutes.
It was Wexford who finished the half strongly with two points, one free, from Ciarán Lyng, although it took a superb Anthony Masterson save to deny Bray a goal six minutes before the break. But still Wexford must have been happy trailing by just two points, 0-5 to 0-3, at the interval.
With the wind at their backs Wexford must have fancied their chances, but it was Meath who turned out the better side in the second half, playing with composure and determination .
Once Rory Maguire and Brian Meade increased the Meath lead to four points within seven minutes of the restart, it was always going to be a struggle for the home side.
A Lyng pointed free kept Wexford in touch and then Colm Morris had a shot superbly saved by Paddy O’Rourke. But Shane McAnarney secured his side’s victory with a 70-minute point.
MEATH: P O'Rourke; C O'Connor, A Moyles, E Harrington; S McAnarney (0-1), C King, D Flood; N Crawford, M Ward (0-1); B Meade (0-1), C Ward (0-4, three frees), S Kenny (0-1); S Bray (0-1), P Byrne, B Sheridan. Subs: R Maguire (0-1)for Byrne (33 mins), B Regan for M Ward (54 mins, yellow), K Reilly for Sheridan (54 mins), J Sheridan for C Ward (69 mins).
WEXFORD: A Masterson; D Walsh, P Wallace, A Doyle; C Morris, D Murphy, D Carter; B Doyle, E Bradley; D Fogarty, P Colfer, S Cullen (0-3, frees); C Lyng (0-4, two frees), B Malone, P J Banville. Subs: T Howlin for Walsh (35 mins), C Byrne for fogarty (50 mins), M Forde for Colfer (52 mins), D Kinsella for Bradley (63 mins, yellow), A Flynn for Byrne (68 mins, yellow).
Referee: M Collins(Cork).
