Royals progress on back of McNamara’s fine finish

Meath completed a Leinster championship double success over Wicklow when the Royals’ juniors advanced to the semi-final after this win at Páirc Tailteann last night.

The home side got off to a flying start and Darragh McNamara’s stylish goal on 19 minutes sent the Royals in at the break 1-8 to 1-3 ahead.

Meath were comfortable in the second period making Aaron Murphy’s late goal for Wicklow nothing more than a consolation.

Scorers for Meath: D McNamara 1-4, A Tormey 0-3 (2f), S Mallon, R Maguire 0-2 each, D Murtagh, D Quinn, P Geoghegan, S Crosbie, C Hilliard 0-1 each

Scorers for Wicklow: D Odlum 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), A Murphy 1-0, C Walsh, A Merriman 0-1 each.

MEATH: S Geraghty; H Newman, S Crosby, P Muldoon; C Rowe, K Lynch, P Geoghegan; P O’Reilly, S Crosbie; D Murtagh, R Maguire, D McNamara; D Quinn, A Tormey, S Mallon.

Subs: B McMahon for Tormey (39), C Hilliard for McNamara (49), J Carry-Lynch for O’Reilly (52), E Lynch for Murtagh (55).

WICKLOW: R Lambert; S Mooney, J Kelly, K Hanlon; S Farrell, I Sheerin, B Murphy, SA Merriman, D Woods; B McCrea, M Gilbert, T Smith; D Odlum, C Walsh, J Snell. Subs: E Doyle for Snell, R Bohan for Gilbert, A Murphy for Smith (all h-t), M Kenny for Mooney (45), S King for Farrell (59).

Referee: F Smyth (Offaly).