The more off-Broadway shows for Meath, the better

WITH the form of Meath and Louth a long way short of the heights they attained reaching last year’s Leinster final and neither looking like they will trouble the serious contenders in Croke Park later in the year, the indications were that the main prize on offer at Breffni on Saturday was residency on the high moral ground.

Louth had occupied it since last July, but this time it was Meath who went home with the superior swagger.

Any analysis of this first round qualifier must take into account the paucity of the Louth challenge with only Darren Clarke (with 1-7, six frees) and Paddy Keenan with a late goal from a penalty, troubling the scoreboard. This from a team that scorched Kildare for 1-22 just one year ago. Louth failed to bring the expected intensity and bite to the occasion; it was as if the events of last year’s Leinster final weighed them down rather than inspired them. To only get two yellow cards under the present rule enforcement tells how far off Louth were in terms of commitment.