They left it late but Meath secured victory in their opening NHL Division 2 encounter when they defeated Donegal at Trim.
The outcome of this roller-coaster encounter was very much in the balance until the close minutes when a flurry of points from Meath’s chief marksman Jack Regan helped them get over the line.
The tenacious visitors led 1-13 to 2-9 with 66 minutes played and were poised to push on to chalk up a victory few would have predicted. It was then the home side dug deep and fashioned the opportunities for Regan to show what he could do.
The Kiltaleman was not found wanting as he fired over three unanswered points, two frees, to help give his side the win the just about deserved. The victory also ensured new manager Johnny Greville got his reign underway in the league in the manner he would have sought.
Not that this was a five-star display from the Royal County. They really struggled to contain a well-organised, inventive Donegal side who had spells in front including after 12 minutes when goalkeeper Luke White stepped forward to drive the ball to the Meath net from a powerfully-struck penalty.
That put the Ulster side 1-2 to 1-1 in the lead with Liam McKinney adding another point soon afterwards.
Meath, however, came back to lead 1-7 to 1-6 at the interval helped by an early goal from Cian Rogers who powered forward before firing the ball low to the net.
Donegal had the assistance of the icy breeze in the second-half but their cause was seriously undermined when Greville’s men fashioned a second goal, this time scored by Regan. With Brian McIntyre and Gerard Gilmore firing over some sweet points Donegal edged in front again as this engaging contest drew to a conclusion.
Donegal manager Conchur Gearlann and his men had every reason to be optimistic they could cause an upset and return home with a victory or a draw at least.
Regan, one of the most experienced players in this Meath team, stepped up to give his team the edge when it mattered most as Meath finished strongly.
Scorers – Meath: J Regan 1-7 (5f); Cian Rogers 1-2; James Coole 0-1; S Ennis 0-1; K Gorman 0-1. Donegal: G Gilmore 0-7 (6f); L White 1-1 (pen, 1f); B McIntyre 0-3; D Cullen 0-1; S Ward 0-1; L McKinney 0-1.
Meath: C O’Riordan 7; Jarlath Ennis 7, Ben Holden 7, Domhnall Rogers 7; James Cooke 7, Daire Shine 8, Simon Ennis 7; Joey Cole 9, Kris Gorman 8; Lorcan Byrne 7, Jack Regan 8, Nicky Potterton 7; Sean Corbett 7, Cian Rogers 8, Mikey Cole 7. Subs: Mark Horan 7for Corbett (42), Darren O’Higgins 7 for M Cole (53), James Toher 7 for Gorman (61).
Donegal: L White 8; O Kelly 7, C McDermott 7, P Doherty 7; B McIntyre 9, J O’Loughlin 7, Conor O’Grady 7; Cormac Finn 8, Danny Cullen 7; Sean Ward 7, Liam McKinney (0-1) 7, Sean McVeigh 8; Gerard Gilmore (0-7 six frees) 8, Josh Cronolly McGee 7, Ronan McDermott 7. Subs: Michael Donoghue 7 for O’Grady half-time, Ciaran Bradley 7 for Doherty (46), Conor Gartland 7 for Cronolly McGee (45), Peter Kelly 7 for Ward (55).
Referee: Ciarán O’Regan (Cork).