Young Royals shake off Louth in march to final

MEATH reversed a first-round result to advance to the Leinster MFC final at the expense of Louth at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann last evening.

The home side started the brighter with points from Cillian O’Sullivan and Brian McMahon giving them an early advantage. Ciaran Byrne got Louth on the board after five minutes and was their most influential forward.

O’Sullivan filled a similar role for Meath, the wing-forward clipping over three points from play in the first half.

Neil Shorthall also put over three frees before the break as the Royals, managed by former Kildare defender Davy Dalton, held a 0-7 to 0-4 lead.

Although Byrne hit the first score on the restart, a Shortall free and McMahon (two) stretched Meath into a 0-10 to 0-5 lead after 36 minutes.

Points from centre-back Daniel Grimes and Byrne (two frees) cut the deficit to two points before Shorthall was dismissed on receipt of a second yellow card after 47 minutes. But still Meath pushed on with two points from substitute Cathal Smith and another from McMahon before Byrne added two more frees at the end.

Scorers for Meath: N Shorthall, 4fs, B McMahon 0-4 each, C O’Sullivan 0-3, C Smith 0-2, 1f.

Scorers for Louth: C Byrne 0-9, 5fs, D Grimes 0-1.

MEATH: R Burlingham; A Forde, B McConnon, O Fitzpatrick; C Finn, S Melia, D Smyth; P Harnan, S McEntee; N Shorthall, B O’Brien, C O’Sullivan; B McMahon, R Farrelly, W McGrath.

Subs: C Smith for Farrelly (43), S Sheridan for McMahon (56).

LOUTH: C Quigley; M Kane, D Campbell, N McCabe; C Bellew, D Grimes, D McMahon; R McCabe, M Breen; S Thornton, P Reilly, C Smyth; C McKeever, J Horan, C Byrne.

Subs: D Breen for Quigley, J King for Smyth (both 30), K Ryan for McKeever (43), R Brodigan for McCabe (55), S McAuley for King (59).

Referee: F Barry (Kildare).