A MASSIVE last ditch point from Kevin Brosnan allowed Meelin a second chance against Lyre in a well contested Duhallow Junior B Football League semi final played in Banteer last Sunday.

Trailing for the majority of the hour, Meelin patiently clawed their way back and on the stroke of the full time whistle, Brosnan came up trumps to split the posts with the all important equaliser. It was no more that Meelin deserved on offering commendable composure by clawing back a six point deficit.

Lyre settled into a decent football rhythm and availed on early points from Con Tarrant, Tim and Daniel Murphy to steer ahead.

Meelin took a time to find their feet yet points to William Buckley offered encouragement. However Lyre shaped up the better of the two sides, looking strong and focused on the solid play of Colman Mannix, Brian O'Keeffe, Keith McGeogh, Daniel Murphy and O'Connor.

Points to O'Connor, Tim Murphy and Ger Mannix helped Lyre enjoy a 0-8 to 0-4 advantage at the break. With both defences emerging strongly, scores became a scarce commodity for 12 minutes upon the resumption.

Lyre added to their tally from a pair of points to O'Connor and the home side looked good enough to succeed. However, Meelin were far from a spent force and rallied brilliance under the guidance of the three Forrest brothers, John O'Connor, Brosnan and Buckley.

A trio of points from Buckley in addition to likewise scores from Brosnan and Jerry Forrest left the minimum between the sides. And in an all out assault, Meelin did enough to square the affair, Brosnan lofting obliging with a last gasp equalising point.