14-man Royals reach Rackard Cup final

MEATH beat Armagh 0-21to 1-14 on Saturday at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann, setting up a Nicky Rackard final with London.

The home side was forced to play the last quarter with 14 men after inter-provincial player Stephen Clynch was dismissed for a second yellow card on 52 minutes.

London were too strong for Fingal in the other semi-final, winning 1-19 to 2-8 at Ruislip on Saturday.

However coach Brendan Bolger warned a repeat of their first-half performance will cost them dearly in the final against Meath.

The Exiles conceded two soft goals in the opening period to trail by two points at the break, but upped their game considerably in the second half, Henry Vaughan’s maximum paving the way to a routine win.

In the Lory Meagher Cup, Donegal were too good for South Down, winning 1-15 to 2-11 at Bellella on Saturday and set up a Croke Park final date with Tyrone.

With Donegal boss Eamonn Campbell banned for eight weeks following an incident after his side’s Ulster SHC loss against Armagh last month, selector Conor McVeigh was calling the shots.

Donegal led for most of the game and were only behind for the first time four minutes from the end when Patrick P McCartin goaled for the hosts.

Donegal held their nerve, however, and levelled the game on the stroke of full-time.

Then, with the last puck of the ball, the manager’s son Kevin scored a 45-metre free to push his side into a final and with it, a day out in Croke Park.

Tyrone will meet Donegal in the Lory Meagher Cup final, having beaten Longford 3-16 to 4-9 at the Edgeworthstown grounds. Longford suffered two hammer blows in the game – experienced defender Sean Browne was red-carded in the 56th minute and moments later they were reduced to 13 players when full-back Thomas Stakem was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Making matter worse, Tyrone corner-forward Grogan goaled from a penalty that was won by blood substitute Seamus McLaughney.

While Longford were thrown a late lifeline with a well-struck goal from Ciaran Finnucane, the visitors had the final say when Kelly fired over another free.