Byrne strike seals Royal County

In the lead-up to Saturday evening's Round 3 All-Ireland SFC qualifier encounter at Páirc Tailteann, Navan, many of the Roscommon faithful would have inwardly quavered as they recalled their last visit, in 2006, to Meath GAA Headquarters, when they came away having suffered a 13-point hiding (1-19 to 0-9) in that year's qualifier. Fast forward to July 25th 2009, and, once again, a huge Roscommon support followed their stars eastwards to swell the Navan attendance to an estimated 12,000. And while they can be reasonably happy with the performance of their favourites, it still wasn't enough to achieve victory over Royal opponents whose brace of goals (one in either half) were, in the final analysis, the deciding factors in Eamonn O'Brien charges maintaining their interest in the destination of the Sam Maguire Cup for 2009. For Roscommon, following that best forgotten Connacht SFC semi-final annihilation at Castlebar, much honour was restored by seeing off the Wexford challenge following a replay in Round 2, and while a gutsy display may not have garnished what would have been a famous victory on Saturday last, it still maintains a great sense of hope for Fergal O'Donnell's young charges as they now plan ahead for better days in 2010. Deprived of the services of such influential players as Karol Mannion, John Nolan, David Keenan and Séamus O'Neill, team manager Fergal O'Donnell started seven of the all conquering minor squad of 2006, and in the second half, introduced four more of that history-making panel who form the bedrock of the county's largely awaited future. Yes, indeed, the Rossies can justifiably look forward. Meath, who displayed (for the current panel) hitherto unrealised reserves by running Dublin to two points in the earlier big Leinster Championship meeting at Croke Park, cruised effortlessly through their opening qualifier ties against Waterford and Westmeath, running up the impressive scoring total of 2-35 in those latter encounters. Mindful of the perceived threat thereby inherent in that Green and Gold attack, Roscommon deployed the influential Peter Domican at the fringe of the square from the start of Saturday's contest (which thankfully was played in ideal weather conditions), with Cathal Cregg (listed at corner-forward) brought back to the pivotal defensive berth. From an early stage of the commencement of proceedings on the immaculate surface of this famous venue, the Meath intent was obvious. Establishing a power-base at midfield where the Dunboyne/Rathkenny duo of Nigel Crawford and Brian Meade held the whip hand from the outset, and with centre-forward Joe Sheridan the fulcrum of almost every attacking foray, ball was sprayed from wing to wing, putting the Roscommon defence under severe pressure, simultaneously opening up the centre for their fleet-footed forwards. Although Roscommon had the benefit of the first half breeze, Meath did enjoy the lion's share of possession, and led by 0-5 to 0-2 after only 12 minutes. A foul on wing-forward Peadar Byrne after 45 seconds saw Cian Ward loft over the first of his four frees of the evening, but Roscommon replied when Cathal Cregg stormed upfield to make the opening for Senan Kilbride to land a glorious equaliser (2 minutes). A pick-up gave Ward point number two (4th minute) which preceded a sustained spell of home pressure. Defence-splitting moves produced a trio of points via Peadar Byrne, Brian Farrell and David Bray. By the 12th minute, Meath's three inside forwards had scored. A brace of Donal Shine pointed frees either side of the latter Meath score kept Roscommon in touch, but it took a timely save from goalie Geoffrey Claffey and a fine piece of interception from full-back Peter Domican to prevent possible Meath goals. Forwards Farrell and Sheridan were especially dangerous in these salvos, and the Royals made no mistake in the 25th minute when a move involving Peadar Byrne and team captain Stephen Bray, culminated in Ballinlough's Byrne rattling the Roscommon net. Roscommon almost made the prefect riposte from the kick-out when a Kevin Higgins centre was fisted goalwards by Donal Shine. But with goalie Paddy O'Rourke out of position, the ball hit the top of the crossbar and bounced over. Another lovely Roscommon move - via Fintan Cregg, Donal Shine and David O'Gara - saw the outstanding Roscommon Gaels starlet score a peach of a point to cut arrears to a goal and, roared on by the big travelling support, the Primrose and Blue strove valiantly to maintain the impetus. Sean McDermott was seen to great advantage in repulsing Meath raids, but the home team would finish the half strongly with a further triduum of points, all from play, courtesy of the marauding David Bray, Brian Farrell and midfielder Brian Meade, their diagonal inter-passing forward play again hugely effective. Roscommon did finish the half on a high note, when a '45' forced by skipper Gary Cox, was superbly converted by Donal Shine. Half-time score: Meath 1-8, Roscommon 0-6, but the Royals would enjoy wind advantage on the restart. Kilmore's Colm Garvey was called up to replace James McKeague at the interval on the Roscommon side, but only 48 seconds had elapsed following the resumption when Joe Sheridan, once again, turned provider for midfielder Nigel Crawford to point from play. Conor Devaney came on for Kevin Higgins in the Roscommon attack, and with Brian Higgins and Michael Finneran (St Dominic's) upping the ante in the midfield sector, there were indications of an imminent revival by Fergal O'Donnell's men. Fintan Cregg drew the free which earned a yellow card for his defensive opponent Eoghan Harrington, punished by Senan Kilbride (44th minute), and when Donal Shine, placed by Gary Cox, added another point a minute later, the signs were very encouraging for resurgent Rossies. Meath hadn't scored for a worrying 14 minutes but, helped by the outstanding Nigel Crawford, got back on the board when Cian Ward pointed a free, equated by Donal Shine (foul on Gary Cox, 51st minute). However, the score that effectively decided this East-West contest came in the 57th minute when Ward was again the main instigator, his probing delivery broken by Sheridan into the predatorial path of David Bray, with the Navan O'Mahony's clubman, and brother of team captain Stephen, making absolutely no mistake when hitting the roof of the net, thereby opening up an 8-point lead (2-11 to 0-9). Some good Roscommon approach work was spoiled by a tendency to give away possession, but Michael Finneran took a good point, his colleague Brian Higgins' effort having hit the post. With the outcome now clearcut, a predictable raft of substitutes (including an unusual triple introduction by Meath) came on, Geoffrey Claffey was again prominent in repulsing further dangerous Meath raids. But Meath had their last score (60th minutes) with a Brian Farrell point. Roscommon, via Senan Kilbride (68th minute) concluded the scoring for the evening. But it was no more than statistical value at this stage as Meath had much earlier ensured their Round 4 spot. How good are Meath? The jury are still out on this issue, but they now have a real grudge game v Limerick coming up to exorcise the ghosts of last year's Gaelic Grounds debacle. On Saturday, they had sterling performers in defenders Chris O'Connor, Seamus Kenny and Cormac McGuinness, midfielder Nigel Crawford and Brian Meade, with Joe Sheridan, David Bray, Peadar Byrne, Cian Ward and Brian Farrell excellent up front. Roscommon will take positives from the series of qualifiers, and indeed from Saturday's game, where they displayed further evidence of resurgence. Goalie Geoffrey Claffey could do little about the shots that beat him, while Peter Domican, Sean McDermott and Cathal Cregg worked hard in defence. In an attack which lacked penetration, only Donal Shine, Senan Kilbride and David O'Gara impressed. NEXT UP Meath meet Limerick in Round 4 of the qualifiers, while Roscommon's SFC season is over. SCORERS - Meath: David Bray (1-2), Peadar Byrne (1-1), Cian Ward (0-4, 4 frees), Brian Farrell (0-3), Brian Meade (0-1), Nigel Crawford (0-1). Roscommon: Donal Shine (0-6, 0-3 frees, 0-1 '45), Senan Kilbride (0-3, 0-1 free), David O'Gara (0-1), Michael Finneran (0-1). MEATH: Paddy o'Rourke, Chris O'Connor, Anthony Moyles, Eoghan Harrington, Seamus Kenny, Cormac McGuinness, Caoimhín King, Nigel Crawford, Brian Meade, Peadar Byrne, Joe Sheridan, Stephen Bray (capt), David Bray, Brian Farrell and Cian Ward. Subs: Jamie Queeney for Farrell (64), Mark Ward for Crawford; Barry Regan for McGuinness; and Shane McKeigue for Byrne (triple substitution - 67). ROSCOMMON: Geoffrey Claffey, Ronan Brady, Peter Domican, Sean McDermott, Sean Purcell, Cathal Cregg, James McKeague, Michael Finneran, Brian Higgins, Gary Cox (capt), David O'Gara, Donal Shine, Fintan Cregg, Senan Kilbride, Kevin Higgins. Subs: Colm Garvey for McKeague (h/t), Conor Devaney for Higgins (42), Enda Kenny for Fintan Cregg (58); David Flynn for Purcell (60); and Cathal McHugh for Cox (69). REFEREE: Jimmy McKee (Armagh), who issued 2 yellow cards, both to Meath.