Royal revival prompts hopes of promotion

Meath 1-17 Sligo 2-12

Royals’ manager Mick O’Dowd’s ears must have been red as he headed to the dressing-rooms for the interval break, his side trailing by seven points, having been in arrears by nine a few minutes earlier.

The visitors were dominant and slack defensive play gifted them two goals in the opening 12 minutes. However, an injury to star man Mark Breheny just after the half-hour mark had an unsettling effect on Kevin Walsh’s outfit.