Home

Cortown V Meath hill Div 3 A League.  FT  1 - 11 to 2 - 8.

Meath hill were left to wonder and ponder after a gallant effort to win this game played in Cortown.

It all started badly for the hill and they were soon down 1 - 6 to a solitary point with the impressive Gary Coyne finding holes in the hill defence but the switching of Mark Tully to a sweeper role had a dramatic effect. The ship was steadied and the score at half time was 9 - 3 in favour of Cortown.

 What happened in the 2nd half is hard to take and it says a lot for the discipline of the team.  What seemed  a perfectly legitimate goal was disallowed and then as the ball was going over the bar the final whistle was blown  on 30 minutes without any injury when it seemed there should have been at least some. Final score 1 -11 to 2 - 8.

This left it as  a draw and a great result for other contenders at the bottom.

Jun A Championship played Saturday 6th August

Meath hill bowed out of the race for honours in the Junior championship on Saturday last on a well appointed Slane pitch on a scorelie of 1 - 12 to 1 - 7 in favour of Donaghmore/ Ashbourne. This was no "giving up without a fight" effort by a heroic Hill outfit. From the outset the Hill took the game to Donaghmore/Ashbourne and fought back having gone down by a couple of points with a brilliant goal from the impressive Jason Yorke. That goal gave the hill a 1 point lead but the old problem of not taking chances raised it head again and some great approach work was often spoiled by poor finishing.

The first half was a close affair with Donaghmore/Ashbourne shading the midfield exchanges with some good catches and picking up a lot of dirty ball. Things improved in the 2nd half with Keith Ginnitty taking over as the main man. Up front things improved for a while and indeed three successive points half way through the second period brought the hill into a 1 pt lead and were dominating the game.. Indeed it looked as if the Hill were going on to win when the ref gave a highly disputed free for an alleged illegal hand pass in front of the posts to get the eventual winners a very important score. This seemed harsh and indeed it was to eventually result in a straight red for the impressive Liam Coyle who led his team excellently throughout.

Indiscipline was indeed an issue and cost the Hill countless yards with the referee bringing it forward each time. This will need to be addressed if anything is going to change. Throughout this season mouthing off has cost the team dearly and while it was difficult to take some of the officials decisions especially near the end there is no excuse for foul mouth abuse. All referees cannot be wrong all the time. Rant over!!

 Well done Donaghmore/ Ashbourne and good luck against Ballivor,and well done indeed to a brave Meath hill side who gave a great performance and were decidedly unlucky. Great display in defence throughout with Kevin Crosby giving an tigerish display. Niall Tully was very good at fullback. Midfield and the forward line had their moments but the scoreline of 1 goal and seven points tells it own story. Overall it was a heroic but ultimately the lack of scoring power proved costly. A great effort by everyone and nobody could question the resolve by everyone involved. Keep up the heads.

Meath Hill: Chris Yorke, Kevin Crosby, Niall Tully, Karl Parge, Jason Yorke (1-1), Brendan Kieran, Barry Kieran, Tadgh Boyle (0-2), Keith Ginnity, Donnchadh Boyle, Pierse McGrath, Mark Tully (0-1), Tommy Rooney, Tommy Smith (0-2). Subs: Pauric Smith for D. Boyle; Derek McMahon (0-1) for McGrath

It was close to half time as the hosts were leading at half time 0 - 4    0 - 2 and certainly the Hill should have been ahead with a number of good chances going a begging.

The turning point came with the dismissal of Michael Byrne in the second half which appeared very harsh. The extra man made all the difference and Kilmainham pulled away to win easily.

Best for Kilmainham were Harry Newman, Jonathan Quigley, Gavin Butler, Barry Lynch and Petsie Curran.

Meath hill: Chris Yorke, K. Crosby, B. Kieran, N. Tully, M. Kierans, M. Byrne, P. Smith, J. Yorke, T. Boyle, D. Boyle, L. Coyle, P. McGrath, T. Smith, M. Tully, B. Kieran, Subs used      D. Yorke, P. Gorman,N. Maguire, R. McGrath, L. Breslin.

Kilmainham - Kevin Jordan, Mark Fallon, Harry Newman, Jonathan Quigley, Joe Mahon, Gerard Morgan, Shane Morgan, Gavin Butler (0-01), Barry Lynch, Shane Butler, Trevor Lynch, Seanie Mahon (0-02), Petsie Curran (1-02), Micheal Newman (0-3), Danny Butler (0-1). Subs - Pat O'Sullivan for Trevor Lynch, Ros Mooney for Joe Mahon, Davy Farnan (0-1) for Gerard Morgan, Fergal Black for Petsie Curran, Mark Newman for Barry Lynch.

A League home V Gaeil Colmcille 10th July

Meath hill: C. York, C.Parge, B. Kieran, N. Tully, N.Burns , M. Byrne, B. Kieran, J. Yorke, T. Boyle, K. Crosby, M. Tully, P. McGrath, T. SMith, K. Ginnitty, L.Coyle.

Gaeil Colmcille, T Reddy, P Tormey, R Flanagan D Smith, S Reddy, M Foley. B Smith.(0-01.) P Ward (0-01.) J C Lynch. G Arkins (0-01). A Hickey, S Curran,S McManus M Barrett (0-01.) B Hanlon (0-10, 8f.) Subs used, B Farrelly (2-01) for A Hickey, C Finn for P Tormey, S Reilly for S McManus.

B League match V Bective played in Meath hill Tuesday  6th June

Meath hill's second string suffered what is a probable mortal blow in going down to a strong Bective side in Div 5 of the All County B league on Tuesday evening.The final score was 12 pts to 8 in the visitors favour. Needing to win away to Donaghmore/Ashborne in the last match to force a playoff at best is now our lot.

Sprinkled  with a number of A panel players , to be precise 9 the Hill struggled to contain a well organised and focused Bective side in greasy conditions. The game started with both sides having goal chances but opting to take a point.  Both sides struggled with the greasy conditions as many chances went a begging especially the home side. Bective led by 3 ts at half time 7 - 4.

The Hill made some headway in the second half and finally levelled the match with 8 mins to go but failed to register a score in those final few minutes with numerous chances going a begging. The inevitable happened and the visitors reeled off four unanswered points in the last few minutes to record a deserved victory.

A League Div 3

Na Fianna 1-17
Meath Hill 0-3

Na Fianna secured a comfortable victory over a lifeless Meath Hill in Enfield last Sunday. The final score revealed the gulf in class as the Hill were only short two of their first team while Na Fianna were short several including Ollie Lewis who is carrying an injury at the moment and of course Jamie Queeney who is starring with the county.

Despite playing against a strong breeze Na Fianna held the visitors to 0-3 following an excellent penalty save by Shane Geraghty while scoring 1-5 themselves.

The Na Fianna goal was scored by David McCormack while Dan Queeney, Mick Foley, Damien and Conor Downey secured the points. With the aid of the breeze in the second half the South Meath lads scored a further 12 points while holding Meath Hill scoreless. This result leaves Meath hill at the wrong of the table needing to pick up points quickly as relegation is a real possibility.

Na Fianna: Shane Geraghty, Davy Lyons, Christy Cosgrave, Daniel Gleeson, John Baldwin, Diarmuid Bailey, Damien Downey (0-3); Albhie Mahon; Brian Queeney (0-1); Pauric Hogan (0-1); Michael Foley (0-3); Conor Downey (0-4); Daniel Queeney (0-3), Dean Henrick; David McCormack (1-0). Subs: Tommy Cosgrove for Henrick; Shane Barrett (0-1) for Hogan and Gavin Gillespie (0-1) for David McCormack.

Jun A Football Championship V Summerhill played in Athboy 15th May

Meath hill kept their challenge for qualification on track with a narrow 1 pt victory  against a strong Summerhill outfit in Athboy on Sunday. The final score line was Meath hill  2 - 6 Summerhill 11pts.

The hill played against the wind in the first half and were level at 5pts each at half time. It was a good if fitful display in that first half with both sides missing a lot of chances with Mark Tully missing a 14 yd free. He made up for it later with a brilliant performance throughout. The half time score was 5 pts a piece. This game was won with two goals in the second half Tommy Smith finishing to the net early in the second half and with 15 mins to go Keith Ginnitty latched on to a miss field by the Summerhill fullback to slot home from 5 yds. This gave the Hill a 5 pt lead and looking good but a determined effort by Summerhill had them whittling down the lead pt after pt,  but time ran out for them along with good defence and  some wayward shooting. This was a slightly better performance from Meath hill than that against Dunsany but a lot of things have not changed. I solitary point from a free in the second half was a poor return playing with a strong breeze. The defence as usual was tight and midfield more than held its own with Tadhg Boyle having his best outing in a while.

Team: Chris Yorke, Karl Parge, Benny Kieran, Kevin Crosby, Jason Yorke, Michael Byrne, Barry Kieran, Aodain Mathews, Tadhg Boyle, Poerce McGrath, Mark Tully, Pauric Smith, Derek McMahon, Keith Ginnitty, Thomas Smith, Subs: Niall Tully, Dean Farrelly, Lee Breslin

Jun D Football championship 2nd Round match V Dunsany played in Donore Saturday 14th May

Meath hill`s second championship string bowed out of the race for honours by going under to a strong Dunsany team on a scoreline of  Dunsany 14pts Meath hill 6pts

The result of this match was never in doubt as Dunsany were in control from early on as the Hill found it difficult to cope with their strength and power. Indeed if Dunsany had taken all their chances the gap at the end would have been much greater. The half time score was 8pts to 4 in favour of Dunsany and although sub Ross Mc Grath hit 2 pts in the second half it was never going to trouble Dunsany who now favourites to qualify along with Donaghmore/Ashbourne in the group. As for the hill that defeat ended any chance of emulating lasts years efforts of reaching the Q-final.

Team: Niall Yorke,Simon Martin (capt) Martin McKenna, Danny Shields, Nigel Maguire, Martin Tully, Noel Burns, Paul Gorman, Lee Breslin, Dean Farrelly,Pauric Smith, Jonny Byrne, Daniel Byrne, Emmet Mathews,David O Connell, Subs: Alvin Myles, Ross McGrath.

Jun D Football championship 1st Round V Doaghmore/Ashbourne played Saturday 31st April in Donore.

FT score Meath hill 2 - 8 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 3 - 9

Meath hill second championship string were left wondering what might have been after they went down to Donaghmore/Ashbourne on Saturday last in a very windy Donore.

The Hill played with the wind in the first half and this payed rich dividends as a rampant forward line led superbly by Derek McMahon on the 40 rattled over 2 - 7  in that first half but it was the controversial sending off of Lee Breslin who was bossing the midfield exchanges after 20 mins for an innocuous challenge. This gave Donaghmore/Ashbourne the impetus in midfield and they pushed on plying their extra man in the forwards. Meath hill tried hard but playing against the wind and down to 14 men it was always going to be difficult. And so it proved . Early goals in the second half brought the eventual winners close and they pushed on to win by 4. The Hill were gallant to the finish and were perhaps denied a penalty near the end. The hill`s best performer on the field in Derek McMahon who had a personal tally of 7pts. Others who performed well were Dean Farrelly and Lee Breslin

Meath hill: Derek Yorke, Simon Martin (capt) Nigel Maguire Danny Shields, Noel Burns, Martin Tully, Niall Yorke, Lee Breslin, Paul Gorman, Dean Farrelly, Derek McMahon Kevin Crosby, Emmet Mathews, Emmet Boyle, David O`1Connell. Subs used: Jackie Maguire, Danny Byrne, Mark McConnell,Jonathan Byrne,

Jun A F/C played in Bective Sunday May1st

Meath hill 1- 5 Dunsany 1 - 8

Meath hill went down to a strong Dunsany team on Sunday last in the 2nd Round of the Jun A football Championship  played at a wind swept Bective.

While the scoreline flattered the Hill somewhat they did have their chances but poor decision making and lack of composure let them down and indeed the goal Meath hill scored was the last kick of the game and only hid the problems Meath hill have up front.

Two points scored in each half was a very poor return and indeed it must be soul destroying for the backs to play so well and concede so little and having to watch the squandermania up front.  Midfield also played well and certainly shaded the first half but Dunsany had the upper hand in the second half.

The half time score was 4 - 2 in favour of Dunsany and things didn't look too bad for the hill as they showed signs of penetrating the Dunsany defence with a couple of nice points by Thos Smith and Mark Tully but this was a false dawn and the same old problems arose  like wasting good possession and poor kicking skills. While Meath hill never gave up their inability to take the chances they worked hard for cost them dearly. There is just 2 weeks to change things as next up is Summewrhill which have beaten Meath hill decisively in their last meeting.

Jun A F/C played in Nobber Sunday 17th April

Meath Hill 1-5
Simonstown 0-6

Meath Hill stuttered to a first round win over Simonstown in the first round of the Junior A Championship at Nobber on Sunday evening.

Corner back Karl Parge, who had missed a penalty in the first half, converted Meath Hill's second spot-kick mid-way through the second half and this proved to be the crucial score.

Simonstown led by 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time thanks to John Lunney 0-2, James Heaney 0-1, Willie Stynes 0-1 and Charlie McNulty.
 

Simonstown - G. Lynch, C. O'Brien, A. Faulkner, D. Moran, G. McDonagh, M. O'Rourke, C. Wickham, I. O'Rourke, P. Meade, S. Gaffney, C. McNulty 0-1, J. Heaney 0-1, P. Reilly, W. Stynes 0-1, J. Lunney 0-3 (2 from frees). Sub: C. Tobin for I. O'Rourke.

BFL5: Two from two for Meath Hill

Meath Hill 1-14
Moylagh 0-10

Meath Hill made it two wins from two, with a well deserved victory over Moylagh, in Division 5 of the B League, played on Sunday morning.

Meath Hill led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break.

Moylagh threatened to make a comeback briefly in the second half, until a Derek McMahon goal with ten minutes left meant the 'Hill ended up comfortable winners.
 

A League Home V Ratoath played     Saturday 26th March

Ft:  Ratoath 1 - 8 Meath hill 0 - 7

A dismal display by the Meath hill forward line contributed greatly to this defeat against a workmanlike Ratoath team played in ideal conditions on Saturday in Meath hill.

So inept were the host's forward line that a penalty and 5 easy frees almost in front of the posts were missed along with a host of shots from various angles and distances. In three league matches so far 8pts has been the highest recorded and only for sterling displays by the back line there would have been very heavy defeats in all three games.

The hill started slowly and the visitors raced into a 5pt lead courtesy of 2 early pts and a well worked goal. But from then on the Hill rearguard got to grips with the speedy Ratoath forwards and restricted them to 6 pts for the remainder of the game. 

While effort was not missing in this display the feeble attempts in front of the goals was hard to take and was difficult to believe.

Despite the  result and the aforementioned comments there is some hope. Short a few key players and playing against surely championship contenders and a club that runs up to 60 teams in different grades the Hill made a fight of it and with some luck could have made a closer game. Some work done - a lot more to do.

B League 1st round V Drumconrath

Meath Hill 1-12
Drumconrath 1-6

With the weather taking its toll on Drumconrath's pitch this game was moved to Meath Hill. Drums started well with a Sean McMahon free but that was the only time the Reds led as there experimental team found Meath Hill too hot to handle.

Meath hill: Niall Yorke, Kevin Crosby, Nigel Maguire, Danny Shields, Simon Martin, Jason Yorke, Daniel Byrne, Aodain Mathews(1pt), Cian Mathews,Chris Yorke, Lee Breslin(1goal)Pauric Smith(2pts)  Thos Smith (9pts) Ross McGrath, David O`Connell. Subs: Emmet Mathews (1pt) Alvin Myles, Jonny Byrne, Martin McKenna

A League Round 2.

Meath hill made the long journey to Ballinabrackey on Sunday and came away empty handed on a scoreline of Ballinabrackey 1 – 8 Meath hill 1 – 3.

The hosts settled best and went into an early 2pt lead with free kicks. The Hill suddenly took over and dominated the game until the interval and should have been well ahead at half time.

But erratic and hurried shooting left them with only a well taken goal by Thos Smith to show for their efforts. Various efforts were badly screwed wide or landed softly into the goalkeepers hands.

The Bracks also missed a few scoring opportunities but with county star Chris O Connor sweeping up  from behind midfield they must have been worried at half time as the score was 4ts  to 1 – 0  for the home side.  Indeed the Hill had only one score from play which was their only score of the first half and held the Bracks to 4 pts.

The second half continued as the first with the Hill dominating but not converting. The Bracks started to get a grip at midfield and a long ball into the square was well fielded by Seamus Curry and he rifled it to the net. That was the telling score of the second half as try as they did the hill couldn’t pull back the deficit and the Hosts held on a for a comfortable victory in the end. Indeed the Braks came on very strong in the last 15 mins and it was reminiscent of their great run in the Leinster Junior Championship.They line out without their U21 stars Nicky Judge, Danny Quinn, the injured D. Carroll and the suspended Darby. Best for the Bracks were Seamus Curry, T. Bannon and C. O Connor.

The Hill were missing Michael Byrne and Paddy Owens.

This was a tough uncompromising game with no quarter given or asked and while there is a bit of work in their finishing to be done the Hill gave a good account of themselves against a strong Ballinabrackey side. Best for the Hill were N. Tully, Liam Coyle Keith Ginnitty.

Meath Hill : C. Yorke, C. Parge, B. Kieran, N. Tully, N. Burns, A. Mathews, P. McGrath, T. Boyle (2pt), K. Ginnitty, T. Smith( 1 – 1) L. Coyle, D. Boyle,   M. Tully, J. Yorke, P. Smith. Subs used: Derek McMahon, Ross McGrath, Lee Breslin.

Referee was Colm McManus.

A League 1st Rnd

Meath hill got their A League campaign off to a good start with a well merited 8pts to 7 over a lacklustre Killmainhamwood outfit on Sunday (13th Feb)  played in Meath hill in good conditions. This was a heartening display  full of effort and energy and while a lot of work needs to be done it must half pleased new manager the legendary Ollie Murphy.

Both teams were slow to settle but the Hill got the first score with a point by Thomas Smith who had a fine game all through. The game remained close throughout the first half with never more than a point between the sides and in a low scoring first half the sides were level 5 pts a piece. The home side dominated possession in that first half and were disappointed not to have built up a sizeable lead as they squandered numerous chances from free kicks and open play.

The Hill support must have feared the worst as the second half started as the Wood went to an early lead thanks to the accuracy of Ray McGee. But Meath hill buckled down to the task and from there to the finish dominated the game to such an extent that if the home side had won by 10 pts the visitors would have no complaint. That there was only 1 pt in it in the end was down to very poor shooting and wrong options.

Everyone in a blue shirt (and goalkeeper)  played well but special mention must be made of the full back line of Carl Parge, Barry Kieran and Niall Tully, they were exceptional all through and covered acres of ground. Liam Coyle (capt) on the 40 was the playmaker and set up the attacks from deep in a very impressive display. While the forwards were wayward at times the never give uo trying and were driven on by a rampant midfield of Keith Ginnitty and Tadgh Boyle. Thomas Smith was the best of the forwards but was ably supported by his brother Pauric who had to leavethe fray with a knee injury. to be replaced by Derek McMahon.

Scores Thomas Smith 3pts, A. Mathews 1pt, Pierce McGrath 1 pt, Mark Tully 3 pts

Lineout: Chris Yorke, Karl Parge, Barry Kieran, Niall Tully, Jason Yorke, Michael Byrne, Pierce McGrath, Keith Ginnitty, Tadgh Boyle, Donnacadgh Boyle Liam Coyle, Pauric Smith, Mark Tully, Aodain Mathews, Thomas Smith.