There was no separating Louth and Meath U-21s at Clan na Gael Park last night after the sides played out a 3-11 to 2-14 draw after extra-time in the quarter-finals of the Cadbury’s Leinster U-21 Football Championship.
That means the two sides must meet again next Wednesday in Navan to decide who advances to the last four to meet Offaly.
After an even enough opening, David Reilly’s side found themselves in the driving seat after 24 minutes when Hunterstown Rovers youngster Ryan Burns followed up two points in quick succession with a well-taken goal that left it 1-6 to 0-4 in the Wee County’s favour.
Meath would responded with two goals and two points before the break, however, to take a shock 2-6 to 1-6 lead off at the break.
Louth started the second half incredibly brightly with two goals inside a minute from Cian Doyle and Burns seeing them turn things around to lead by 3-8 to 1-7 after 37 minutes.
Crucially, the home side would fail to add to that advantage as Meath clawed their way back level courtesy of a number of frees from leading scorer Bryan McMahon. Right on the hour mark, a sideline kick from Neil Shortall that bounced over the crossbar looked to have ensured the win for the Royals but with the last kick of the game the impressive Burns held his nerve with a free on the left to take the game to extra-time.
Twice the Wee County would lead in extra-time, with Doyle contributing the only score of the first half.
McMahon levelled matters on the restart before a Conor Grimes point edged Louth in front again. Once again, that man McMahon restored parity for the visitors though as the two sides were forced to settle for a draw after 80 pulsating minutes.
Louth: J Mulholland; E Lafferty, D Campbell, K Lenaghan; D McMahon, R Brodigan, S Thornton; P Reilly, W Campbell; R Quigley (0-2), J Stewart, C McKeever; C Doyle (1-2, 1f), C Grimes (0-1), R Burns (2-6, 5f). Sub: D Marks for W Campbell, 48 mins; R Curran for R Quigley, 49 mins; K Hearty for P Reilly, 73 mins (black card); R Carr for C McKeever, 78 mins.
Talk of the Town 