JACK FLYNN powered Meath to victory for the second weekend running in Division 2 of the National League with a dramatic late two-point score in Cavan.
The Royals hadn’t won a League game at Kingspan Breffni since 1965 and looked destined to suffer defeat again when they trailed by a point with 40 seconds to go.
But Flynn, man of the match in Meath’s Round 1 win over Derry at Croke Park, took on the responsibility in the dying moments to win the game with a monster score.
The 2025 All-Ireland semi-finalists then won the kick-out and worked the ball to substitute James Conlon, who scored his third point to seal a slightly flattering two-point win.
It’s agony again for Cavan, who were beaten by a point in Round 1 by Cork.
And it’s hard not to feel for Breffni boss Dermot McCabe, who managed Westmeath last year when they suffered a series of the same type of narrow losses.
Jordan Morris blasted 1-4 for Meath on a ground he is well used to, as he plays for Cavan SFC title holders Kingscourt Harps. Ruairí Kinsella’s 1-2 haul was significant too, as Meath underlined their promotion hopes with another big win.
They’ll return to action on Valentine’s Day against old rivals Louth at Croke Park while Cavan will travel to play Omagh a day later.
Gearóid McKiernan starred for the hosts with 0-9 and was unfortunate to finish on the losing side, while there were cameos from goalscorer Peter Corrigan and the excellent Oisín Brady.
The sides were level at half-time at 1-8 apiece, newcomer Peter Corrigan with the goal for Cavan.
But the Royals were frustrated to have butchered a couple of Cian McBride goal chances in that period, while they also blasted six wides.
The second half swung Meath’s way first as they established a three-point lead thanks in part to Morris’ 46th-minute goal from a penalty after McBride was fouled.
Cavan came roaring back and led themselves late on after sub Caoimhán McGovern’s point, but it turned out the visitors were just getting going with Flynn and Conlon having the last say in front of 6,883.
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Meath scorers: Jordan Morris 1-4 (1-0 pen), Ruairí Kinsella 1-2, James Conlon 0-3, Jack Flynn 0-2 (tp), Mathew Costello 0-2, Eoghan Frayne 0-1, Sean Coffey 0-1, Conor Duke 0-1, Ciarán Caulfield 0-1.
Cavan scorers: Gearóid McKiernan 0-9 (1 tpf, 0-4f), Peter Corrigan 1-0, Oisín Brady 0-4 (0-2f), Dara McVeety 0-2, Cormac O’Reilly 0-1, Gerard Smith 0-1, Caoimán McGovern 0-1.
MEATH
1. Seán Brennan (Dunderry)
2. Seamus Lavin (St Peter’s, Dunboyne)
3. Seán Rafferty (Na Fianna)
4. Brian O’Halloran (Ballivor)
14. James Conlon (St Colmcilles) for Duke (h/t)
22. Jason Scully (Oldcastle) for Frayne (52)
20. Adam O’Neill (Wolfe Tones) for McBride (58)
23. Jack O’Connor (Curraha) for Costello (59)
24. Oisín Martin (Wolfe Tones) for Kinsella (68)
10. Ryan Donohoe (Gowna) for Ryan Brady (h/t)
8. Ciaran Brady (Corofin, Galway) for Corrigan (48)
24. Caoimhán McGovern (Shannon Gaels) for O’Reilly (65)
20. Eoin Clarke (Ballyhaise) for Cormac Brady (65)
17. Tristan Noack Hofmann (Arva) for Oisín Brady (68)
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone).
Elsewhere, two-goal hero Enda Smith and Diarmuid Murtagh struck the crucial majors as Roscommon came from behind to score a significant NFL Division 1 win over Monaghan.
The Rossies, beaten by Kerry in Round 1, trailed by a point at half time and were three down early in the second half in the tie between last season’s two promotion teams.
But Smith’s second goal, and Roscommon’s third, from a penalty in the 48th minute gave Mark Dowd’s side the impetus to push on for what could be an important two points.
Steven Sherlock capped his return to Cork’s first team with 0-8 as the Rebels secured back-to-back Division 2 wins.
In-form Sherlock, a Munster club finalist with St Finbarr’s in December, struck 0-4 as a sub in last weekend’s battling win over Cavan.
He started this time and repaid boss John Cleary’s faith with six singles and a two-pointer as Cork underlined their promotion potential with a five-point win.
Chris Óg Jones weighed in with a crucial 1-1 while Brian Hurley drilled a two-pointer in the win over the Leinster champions at Drogheda.
Kanturk’s Tommy Walsh put Cork 0-3 to 0-2 ahead in the ninth minute and they remained in front from there on with Jones’ 19th minute major shoving them 1-10 to 0-5 clear at half-time.
Sherlock, Seán McDonnell and Colm O’Callaghan added points in the third quarter, leaving Cork well in the clear.
Dermot Campbell clawed back a stoppage time goal for Louth who defeated Offaly in Round 1.
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Flynn powers Meath to victory, Smith double helps Roscommon reel in Monaghan
Allianz Football League Division 1
Allianz Football League Division 2
JACK FLYNN powered Meath to victory for the second weekend running in Division 2 of the National League with a dramatic late two-point score in Cavan.
The Royals hadn’t won a League game at Kingspan Breffni since 1965 and looked destined to suffer defeat again when they trailed by a point with 40 seconds to go.
But Flynn, man of the match in Meath’s Round 1 win over Derry at Croke Park, took on the responsibility in the dying moments to win the game with a monster score.
The 2025 All-Ireland semi-finalists then won the kick-out and worked the ball to substitute James Conlon, who scored his third point to seal a slightly flattering two-point win.
It’s agony again for Cavan, who were beaten by a point in Round 1 by Cork.
And it’s hard not to feel for Breffni boss Dermot McCabe, who managed Westmeath last year when they suffered a series of the same type of narrow losses.
Jordan Morris blasted 1-4 for Meath on a ground he is well used to, as he plays for Cavan SFC title holders Kingscourt Harps. Ruairí Kinsella’s 1-2 haul was significant too, as Meath underlined their promotion hopes with another big win.
They’ll return to action on Valentine’s Day against old rivals Louth at Croke Park while Cavan will travel to play Omagh a day later.
Gearóid McKiernan starred for the hosts with 0-9 and was unfortunate to finish on the losing side, while there were cameos from goalscorer Peter Corrigan and the excellent Oisín Brady.
The sides were level at half-time at 1-8 apiece, newcomer Peter Corrigan with the goal for Cavan.
But the Royals were frustrated to have butchered a couple of Cian McBride goal chances in that period, while they also blasted six wides.
The second half swung Meath’s way first as they established a three-point lead thanks in part to Morris’ 46th-minute goal from a penalty after McBride was fouled.
Cavan came roaring back and led themselves late on after sub Caoimhán McGovern’s point, but it turned out the visitors were just getting going with Flynn and Conlon having the last say in front of 6,883.
Meath scorers: Jordan Morris 1-4 (1-0 pen), Ruairí Kinsella 1-2, James Conlon 0-3, Jack Flynn 0-2 (tp), Mathew Costello 0-2, Eoghan Frayne 0-1, Sean Coffey 0-1, Conor Duke 0-1, Ciarán Caulfield 0-1.
Cavan scorers: Gearóid McKiernan 0-9 (1 tpf, 0-4f), Peter Corrigan 1-0, Oisín Brady 0-4 (0-2f), Dara McVeety 0-2, Cormac O’Reilly 0-1, Gerard Smith 0-1, Caoimán McGovern 0-1.
MEATH
1. Seán Brennan (Dunderry)
2. Seamus Lavin (St Peter’s, Dunboyne)
3. Seán Rafferty (Na Fianna)
4. Brian O’Halloran (Ballivor)
5. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny)
6. Seán Coffey (Ballinabrackey)
7. Ciarán Caulfield (Trim)
9. Jack Flynn (Ratoath)
21. Cian McBride (The Downings, Donegal)
10. Conor Duke (Dunshaughlin)
11. Ruairí Kinsella (Dunshaughlin)
8. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore Ashbourne)
13. Jordan Morris (Kingscourt Stars)
12. Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin)
15. Eoghan Frayne (Summerhill – Captain)
SUBS
14. James Conlon (St Colmcilles) for Duke (h/t)
22. Jason Scully (Oldcastle) for Frayne (52)
20. Adam O’Neill (Wolfe Tones) for McBride (58)
23. Jack O’Connor (Curraha) for Costello (59)
24. Oisín Martin (Wolfe Tones) for Kinsella (68)
CAVAN
1. Liam Brady (Ramor United)
18. Cormac Brady (Gowna)
4. Paddy Meade (Kingscourt Stars)
2. Jason McLoughlin (Shannon Gaels)
7. Gerard Smith (Lavey)
3. Niall Carolan (Cúchulainns)
5. Ciaran Brady (Arva)
19. Ryan Brady (Gowna)
14. Gearóid McKiernan (Swanlinbar)
9. Conor Brady (Gowna)
15. Peter Corrigan (Kingscourt Stars)
12. Tiarnan Madden (Gowna)
21. Cormac O’Reilly (Mullahoran)
6. Dara McVeety (Crosserlough)
13. Oisín Brady (Killygarry)
SUBS
10. Ryan Donohoe (Gowna) for Ryan Brady (h/t)
8. Ciaran Brady (Corofin, Galway) for Corrigan (48)
24. Caoimhán McGovern (Shannon Gaels) for O’Reilly (65)
20. Eoin Clarke (Ballyhaise) for Cormac Brady (65)
17. Tristan Noack Hofmann (Arva) for Oisín Brady (68)
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone).
Elsewhere, two-goal hero Enda Smith and Diarmuid Murtagh struck the crucial majors as Roscommon came from behind to score a significant NFL Division 1 win over Monaghan.
The Rossies, beaten by Kerry in Round 1, trailed by a point at half time and were three down early in the second half in the tie between last season’s two promotion teams.
But Smith’s second goal, and Roscommon’s third, from a penalty in the 48th minute gave Mark Dowd’s side the impetus to push on for what could be an important two points.
Steven Sherlock capped his return to Cork’s first team with 0-8 as the Rebels secured back-to-back Division 2 wins.
In-form Sherlock, a Munster club finalist with St Finbarr’s in December, struck 0-4 as a sub in last weekend’s battling win over Cavan.
He started this time and repaid boss John Cleary’s faith with six singles and a two-pointer as Cork underlined their promotion potential with a five-point win.
Chris Óg Jones weighed in with a crucial 1-1 while Brian Hurley drilled a two-pointer in the win over the Leinster champions at Drogheda.
Kanturk’s Tommy Walsh put Cork 0-3 to 0-2 ahead in the ninth minute and they remained in front from there on with Jones’ 19th minute major shoving them 1-10 to 0-5 clear at half-time.
Sherlock, Seán McDonnell and Colm O’Callaghan added points in the third quarter, leaving Cork well in the clear.
Dermot Campbell clawed back a stoppage time goal for Louth who defeated Offaly in Round 1.
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