John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

Image source, Inpho

That was a bit of an untidy first half if the truth be told with a lot of mistakes and uncharacteristic misses by talented players.

Down seemed rattled by the concession of that freak goal but they should have had two three-pointers of their own in the couple of minutes before half-time.

Ryan Johnston almost seemed to have too much time for his chance as he hesitated, which allowed Meath keeper Sean Brennan to make a superb block. Liam Kerr will know he should have hit the net as the Meath defence went awol but contrived to blast over for a levelling point.

The upshot of it all is that we're all level. Hopefully the game can produce a little more entertainment and fluency in the second half.

The referee blows his whistle and the sides are level at half-time.

It's been a tight first half here at Croke Park.

Meath eventually got into the lead with a freak goal from Ronan Jones who almost unknowingly rebounded the ball into Niall Kane's net.

Ryan Johnston and Liam Kerr both had chances to score for Down but Brennan superbly denied Johnston and Kerr blasted the ball over the bar to bring the sides level at the break.

Down will also start the second half with 14 men after Ceilum Doherty's black card.

Image source, Inpho

Liam Kerr is next to get through on goal. He takes on the shot but blasts it over the bar.

Brilliant save by Sean Brennan!

Ryan Johnston breaks through on goal, he could have taken the point but takes the shot on goal and Brennan expertly blocks it.

That should have been at least a point for Down.

Ceilum Doherty is shown a black card for hauling down Jack Flynn.

Already a point down, Down will be a man down for the next 10 minutes.

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

Meath's forwards were getting caught up in traffic early on but are now starting to plot a more effective route towards Down's goals.

Ciaran Caulfield responds with a wide himself.

Image source, Getty Images

Pat Havern has just hit two consecutive wides, one from a free and one from play. These wides might prove costly for Down, who had no trouble scoring against Laois.

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

Whether that Meath goal came off Ronan Jones or Pat Havern's ankle as it appeared at first glance from here up in the stand, that goal was a complete fluke as they knew nothing about it but they all count.

Ronan Jones is shown the first yellow of the game for aggressive barging.

Matthew Costello is playing with style here. Converting his frees and showing great skill in his attacking play.

Meath have found their feet. They're attacking confidently now.

Matthew Costello converts his second free of the afternoon.

Down level the game once again with Pat Havern converting a close free from the 20 meter line.

Meath take the lead.

Down clumsily lose the ball from their own kick out and Jordan Morris makes no mistake in punishing the Mournemen.

Meath needed that!

Jack Flynn's shot from distance strikes the post...but drops down and hits off Ronan Jones's leg and past Niall Kane in the Down goal!

Game on! A hugely fortuitous green flag for the Royals.

Image source, Getty Images

Odhran Murdock scores a point from play.

Down have found their stride now, that's four points from five shots.

Image source, Inpho

Shealan Jonshton makes it three points for Down.

He finishes off a beautiful counter-attack and fists the ball over the bar.

Odhran Murdock gives away a free.

Sean Brennan tries to level the scoring again but sends it wide of the post.