Posted online: Jun 12th, 2009

Meath 1-23
Sligo 0-10

By Michael Joyce
At Markievicz Park

Sligo hurlers will have to beat Armagh in this Saturday’s second round of the Nicky Rackard Cup if they are to try and successfully defend their title.
Mickey Galvin’s men were beaten by favourites Meath last weekend, while Armagh were beaten at home by London, and this weekend’s winner will qualify for the quarter-finals while the losers will enter the relegation section.
Saturday’s game will throw-in at Markievicz Park at 3.30pm.
Markievicz Park was also the venue last Sunday as the reigning champions faced Division 3 runners-up Meath in what turned out to be a one-sided affair after a closely contested first period.
Sligo started the better of the two sides and after 10 minutes of the game they deservedly lead by 0–3 to 0–1. Two points from midfielder Keith Raymomd and a fine point from Damien Burke from wide out on the touchline gave Sligo a wonderful start against a side who had been plying their trade at a higher level during the league.
Sligo were playing with the breeze in the first period and they created lots of opportunities in the first 15 minutes but missed chances and too many wides would come back to haunt them later in the game.
Sligo’s early advantage was cancelled out in the 13th minute of play with Meath finally getting into their stride, and the sides were level at this stage at 0–3 apiece. However, Sligo continued to press forward with purpose and they once again took the lead courtesy of a point apiece by Raymond from 50 metres out and a Liam Reidy point after a skilful turn.
Sligo should have been further ahead but for four wides in quick succession when they should have pressed home their early advantage. David Kirby had the first real goal chance of the game for Meath in the 18th minute but luckily for Sligo he missed a great chance with the goal at his mercy but he atoned moments later with a good point from play before Meath’s man of the match Joey Keena levelled the game in the next passage of play.
Two points for Sligo scored by Colin Herity from a free and another fine effort from Raymond were cancelled out by a couple of points from Meath as the scores and possession ebbed and flowed between the sides as the half drew to a close.
Two more good points from Keena gave Meath a lead of 0-9 to 0–7 at the interval but both sides were guilty of numerous misses during the half with the blustery conditions affecting the scoring prowess of many players on the day.
The second period, however, saw Meath take control of the game and their level of superiority was underlined by the significance of the scoring after the interval. Both sides were guilty of many misses earlier in the game but from the restart Meath made the most of every opportunity and they converted the majority of the chances that fell to their side. Sligo continued to play with tenacity and determination throughout but they were no match for a Meath side who are the favourites for this year’s title.
Trailing by only two points at the break, Sligo suddenly found themselves eight points behind with just 15 minutes of the second period gone with only one point from Joey Bannerton to show for their efforts.
Trailing by 0–16 to 0–8 after such a good first half, a Raymond free in the middle of the second half and a great score from Burke in the 62nd minute were the only other scores that Sligo managed to add to their tally as Meath pressed home their advantage.
Meath continued to pick off their scores with aplomb in the latter stages of the game and a goal from Meath substitute Derek Muldoon with just eight minutes remaining finally put the game out of Sligo’s reach.

Man of the Match: Joey Keena (Meath).
Sligo: Mark Kearney; Fiachra Coyne (captain), Johnny Mullins, Jamie Kenny; Cian Hackett, Mark Burke, Michael Gilmartin; Colin Herity (0–1, 1f), Keith Raymond (0–5, 2f); Ciarán Brenan, Damian Burke (0–2), Joey Bannerton (0–1); Liam Reidy (0–1), David Collery, Sean Lynch.
Subs Used: Conor Griffin, Niall Cadden.
Meath: Stephen Quinn; John Corrigan, Enda Fitzgerald, Michael Foley; James Boyle, Paul Fagan, Martin Horan; Conor Burke, Ray Massey (0–2); Philip Garvey (0–2), Stephen Clynch (0–5, 4f), Peter Durnin (0–6); David Kirby (0–2, 2f), Joey Keena (0–4), Tony Fox.
Subs Used: Ger O’Neill (0–1), Michael Cole (0–1), Barney Slevin, Derek Muldoon (1-0), Brian McGovern.
Referee: Pat Greene (Galway).