THE footballers of Meath and Dublin restarted where they left off three days earlier, producing a rip-roaring O'Byrne Cup quarter-final replay, with the home side eventually emerging victors at Pairc Tailteann on Wednesday night. Indeed the game seemed destined for another 20 minutes of extra-time until centre back Cormac McGuinness emerged the Meath hero, directing the ball between the posts a minute after the allotted minute of added time had been played.

It proved a nail-biting finale, after Kevin Bonner pointed the equaliser on 70 minutes and then the Dubs went in search of a dramatic winner.

With time up both sides had to keep the ball alive to ensure the game continued under the experimental rules. Meath eventually made the breakthrough as the hard-working Ollie Lewis dispossessed a Dublin defender before making the opening for McGuinness.

The scenes at the final whistle were reminiscent of championship clashes between the sides, such was the joyous reaction of the large Meath support in the 5,500 crowd.

Any win at this level is sweet from a Meath viewpoint, even if it was a shadow Dublin outfit. Both managers made several changes from the drawn game in Parnell Park and by half-time the home side were well on their way to a semi-final outing after leading 0-7 to 0-2.

Meath dominated the early exchanges, and with corner back Davy Dalton winning his personal duel with Bernard Brogan, Dublin were bereft of ideas in attack.

Jamie Queeney, Joe Sheridan, David Bray and the impressive Lewis all shot points before Brogan eventually opened Dublin's account on 22 minutes.

Brogan also accounted for his side's other score of the half in first-half added time.

The home side lost midfielder Maurice Kennedy with a dislocated kneecap in the 18th minute, but still maintained the upper hand for the remainder of the half.

Both sides made changes for the restart and it was a much rejuvenated Dublin who accounted for the three opening points of the second half and also missed a penalty when Brogan had his effort well saved by David Lyons.

With Brogan accounting for two points it was 0-8 to 0-6 by the 48th minute, and the St Oliver Plunkett's man then struck for a goal after a one-two with Colin Daly.

That left Meath chasing the game, but they were back in front when Joe Sheridan netted in the 60th minute. The Dubs staged another mini revival after that, before McGuinness eventually settled the issue. THE footballers of Meath and Dublin restarted where they left off three days earlier, producing a rip-roaring O'Byrne Cup quarter-final replay, with the home side eventually emerging victors at Pairc Tailteann on Wednesday night.

Indeed the game seemed destined for another 20 minutes of extra-time until centre back Cormac McGuinness emerged the Meath hero, directing the ball between the posts a minute after the allotted minute of added time had been played.

It proved a nail-biting finale, after Kevin Bonner pointed the equaliser on 70 minutes and then the Dubs went in search of a dramatic winner.

With time up both sides had to keep the ball alive to ensure the game continued under the experimental rules. Meath eventually made the breakthrough as the hard-working Ollie Lewis dispossessed a Dublin defender before making the opening for McGuinness.

The scenes at the final whistle were reminiscent of championship clashes between the sides, such was the joyous reaction of the large Meath support in the 5,500 crowd.

Any win at this level is sweet from a Meath viewpoint, even if it was a shadow Dublin outfit. Both managers made several changes from the drawn game in Parnell Park and by half-time the home side were well on their way to a semi-final outing after leading 0-7 to 0-2.

Meath dominated the early exchanges, and with corner back Davy Dalton winning his personal duel with Bernard Brogan, Dublin were bereft of ideas in attack.

Jamie Queeney, Joe Sheridan, David Bray and the impressive Lewis all shot points before Brogan eventually opened Dublin's account on 22 minutes.

Brogan also accounted for his side's other score of the half in first-half added time.

The home side lost midfielder Maurice Kennedy with a dislocated kneecap in the 18th minute, but still maintained the upper hand for the remainder of the half.

Both sides made changes for the restart and it was a much rejuvenated Dublin who accounted for the three opening points of the second half and also missed a penalty when Brogan had his effort well saved by David Lyons.

With Brogan accounting for two points it was 0-8 to 0-6 by the 48th minute, and the St Oliver Plunkett's man then struck for a goal after a one-two with Colin Daly.

That left Meath chasing the game, but they were back in front when Joe Sheridan netted in the 60th minute. The Dubs staged another mini revival after that, before McGuinness eventually settled the issue.

- Sean WALL at Pairc Tailteann