Scenes in Navan.
Meath and Longford’s O’Byrne Cup semi-final was decided by sudden death 45s.
The counties were level after 70 minutes of action in Páirc Tailteann on a scoreline of 1-12 apiece on Sunday. The sides headed into extra-time, but not even two 10-minute halves of action could separate them.
Even after a highly entertaining 90 minutes of action, the sides were still tied at 1-19 to 2-16.
That meant the sides would go into a free-taking competition from the 45 yard line. The players were allowed to take the kicks off the ground or out of their hands.
This would be the first time a competitive GAA game was decided by a free-taking competition.
Drama in Pairc Tailteann as game goes to history making free kicks to decide @BordnaMona @gaaleinster O’Byrne Cup @MeathGAA v @OfficialLDGAA pic.twitter.com/GeVeIo7zTV
— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) January 14, 2018
Similar to a penalty shootout in soccer, both teams had five shots at the target, and if they were still level after that, the competition would have went to sudden death.
As it turned out, Meath held the advantage after the allotted five kicks. The Royal men scored two of theirs while Longford were only able to score one.
Only three out of the 10 kicks were converted, with the rest missing by virtue of wide balls.
Kick 5 i James Mc Entee misses for Meath. James Mc Giveny misses. Meath go through
— Longford GAA (@OfficialLDGAA) January 14, 2018
Conor Healy of @OfficialLDGAA goes 5th and misses. Meath win 2-1
— Meath GAA (@MeathGAA) January 14, 2018
Meath half forward Cillian O’Sullivan kicked the winner with the third kick.
Cillian O’Sullivan goes 3rd and scores. 2-1 to Meath.
— Meath GAA (@MeathGAA) January 14, 2018
It was announced at GAA Congress in September 2017 that if a game ended in a draw after extra-time, a shootout would take place.
This is the first time it has been required.
Free kick competition in the dark in Navan after Longford scored 1-1 in last minute of extra time to draw with Meath pic.twitter.com/imty74b1AS
— John Greene (@johnjgreene) January 14, 2018
1 point each in the shoot out pic.twitter.com/8sQJhV5MQQ
— Bernard Flynn (@bernardflynn15) January 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/952580815883554816
