Allianz Football League Division Two

Meath 2-6 Down 2-6

By Paul Keane at Páirc Tailteann

Meath are finally up and running in the Allianz Football League after coming from behind in Navan to secure a draw with Down in a game dominated by high winds.

With both teams beginning the day rooted to the foot of Division 2 after back to back defeats, the stalemate perhaps suited neither though does at least offer some momentum to take into Round 4.

A point from a free by Meath's Jordan Morris in the 60th minute ultimately proved to be the equalising score with the Royals holding Down scoreless in the second-half.

Unfortunately for Meath, who played into the gale force wind in the first-half and trailed by three points at half-time, they could only score three points themselves with the wind at their backs after the break.

The strength of the wind was highlighted by a 73rd minute Morris point attempt from a free on the right wing which caught in the breeze and ended up rolling over the endline next to him.

Down's Caolan Mooney had a couple of opportunities to win it late on for the Mourne County but a goal attempt was taken off his toe by Padraic Harnan and then, in the last action of the game, his fisted effort at a point hit the crossbar.

First-half Down goals from top scorer Pat Havern, who struck 1-3, and Andrew Gilmore proved crucial while Robin Clarke and Jason Scully netted for Meath.

A draw was probably the fairest result overall and Meath will hope to go one better against Offaly next Saturday in Tullamore while Down will host Roscommon in Newry.

It must have felt like Groundhog Day for Meath who played into a stiff headwind in the first-half for the third game running.

They were beaten by half-time against Galway in Salthill and trailed Roscommon by nine points at the break in Round 2 so staying in touch with Down initially was imperative this time.

The early signs were positive for the hosts who played with plenty of urgency and moved 1-2 to 0-3 clear when corner-back Clarke probed forward for an excellent goal.

Thomas O'Reilly, one of five late additions to the Meath team, played the defence splitting pass to Morris who displayed quick hands to play in Clarke.

Two minutes later, Down netted themselves through Gilmore, setting in motion a tit-for-tat scoring encounter that made for an entertaining watch.

Gilmore finished well for his goal after a slick Down passing move which stemmed from a turnover on Meath's kick-out.

Meath goalkeeper Harry Hogan faced a difficult battle to get his kick-outs away safely with the wind howling and the ball holding up into the breeze.

Hogan did convert two frees for Meath at the other end but also kicked a couple wide and dropped another short.

Scully's 20th minute goal, after a series of slick passes involving Donal Keogan and Mathew Costello, nudged Meath back ahead but, again, there was an immediate Down response in the shape of a Havern goal.

Gilmore and Darren O'Hagan tagged on Down points to leave the Mourne 2-6 to 2-3 clear at half-time - but would a three-point lead be enough with the wind now facing them?

The quality dipped in the second-half and as the wind wailed through the main stand in Pairc Tailteann it became a difficult watch for those who'd braved the elements to spectate.

Neither team scored from open in the entire half with Meath's three points coming from Walsh and Morris frees.

Morris had a couple of half chances for goals but couldn't convert either though did step up with the equalising point from a free with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

Scorers for Meath: Jason Scully 1-0, Robin Clarke 1-0, Shane Walsh 0-2 (0-1f), Harry Hogan 0-2 (0-2f), Jordan Morris 0-2 (0-2f).

Scorers for Down: Pat Havern 1-3, Andrew Gilmore 1-2 (0-1f), Darren O'Hagan 0-1.

Meath: Harry Hogan; Eoin Harkin, Jordan Muldoon, Robin Clarke; Donal Keogan, Shane McEntee, Cathal Hickey; Ethan Devine, Ronan Jones; Padraic Harnan, Thomas O'Reilly, Mathew Costello; Jordan Morris, Shane Walsh, Jason Scully.

Subs: Cillian O'Sullivan for Scully 44, Eamon Wallace for Devine 62, Jack O'Connor for O'Reilly 65, Bryan McMahon for Walsh 71.

Down: Rory Burns; Peter Fegan, Finn McElroy, Gerard Collins; Darren O'Hagan, Niall McParland, Ruairi McCormack; Conor Poland, Anthony Doherty; Caolan Mooney, Liam Kerr, Odhran Murdock; Jack McCartan, Andrew Gilmore, Pat Havern.

Subs: Barry O'Hagan for McCartan 21, Pierce Laverty for McCormack 28, McCormack for McElroy 35+2 - h/t, blood, Kevin McKernan for Havern 47, McCormack for Poland 48 - 53, blood, Adam Lynch for Collins 57, Cory Quinn for O'Hagan 63.

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan).