Bective’s league form and injury woes were a concern in the build up to this first round match against Meath Hill who are seen, by some, as one of the favourites for outright honours in the Intermediate championship. Experienced warriors were positioned down the spine of the Bective team and with talented younger footballers completing the line up they were ready to give it their all in Drumbaragh’s fine and well managed grounds on a bright and dry Friday evening. Spectators lined the fence as Bective gained the throw in and showed intent that they were up for this match. However Meath Hill, playing with a slightly favouring breeze, landed two points inside 4 minutes. Meath Hill worked a fine goal with strong support play through the middle on 7 minutes. Bective, now needed to dig deep and were starting to recover their “shape” and Tristan O’Neill, who had an excellent game, carried forward at pace, and released Mark O’Brien to fire to the net on 9 minutes. Meath Hill were disciplined with a strong defence and Bective were forced to kick from distance resulting in 5 wides in the first 15 minutes. Meath Hill added a point on 18 minutes but were also guilty of hopeful shooting resulting in wides. Bective’s work ethic and with Mark Dowdall, Kevin Brennan, Neil Dowdall, Tristan O’Neill, Luke Heneghan and Mathew Cully showing great character gained turn-overs. Ciaran Mc Connell was fouled and Marty Mulhall pointed from the free kick on 20 minutes. Meath Hill pointed from a free kick on 31 minutes to conclude the first half scoring.
Meath Hill 1 – 4, Bective 1 – 1.
Meath Hill started the second half strongly and with support runners stretched the Bective defence and managed the ball across the square for a palmed ball to the net on 5 minutes. The ref discussed with his umpires if an infringement had occurred and allowed the goal. Ben Sherlock came into the forward line. Meath Hill added a point on 8 minutes. Bective were gaining plenty of possession but were not penetrating adequately to create scoring chances. This was championship football and Bective were determined to keep in this game and Luke Heneghan attacked at pace and was brought to ground and Mulhall pointed the free kick on 11 minutes. Mark O’Brien, who worked his socks off through-out, was fouled and Mulhall dispatched the free kick on 15 minutes. Meath Hill added a point on 17 minutes. Mathew Cully ran at the Meath Hill defence and was fouled but the free kick went wide from a tight angle on 20 minutes. Mulhall pointed again on 23 minutes before Meath Hill, now down a man, pointed on 24 minutes. Con Smith was constantly probing for openings in the Meath Hill defence and pointed from long range on 25 minutes. Paul Mc Cabe came into the Bective forwards and Ben Malone came into the back line. Meath Hill managed out the game with two points in the closing minutes to conclude the scoring in this fine sporting competitive game.
Meath Hill 2 – 9, Bective 1 – 5.
Bective team: Scot O’Sullivan, Jack Grant, Neil Dowdall, Kevin Brennan, Mark Dowdall, Craig Roche, Mathew Cully, Tristan ‘Neill, Mark O’Brien, Marty Mulhall, Ciaran Mc Connell, Chris McGurn, Con Smith, Luke Heneghan and David Donnelly.
