Royals shake off Longford challenge

Meath 1-17 Longford 1-09: Nine successive points at the start of the second-half set Meath on the road to victory at Páirc Tailteann last night.

Longford promised much early on and led 1-3 to 0-2 after 18 minutes but their challenge completely fizzled out.

Their goal came from Francis Magee and at that stage it looked as if Longford would make a game of it. However Meath hit back with a Sean Tobin goal and at half-time it was 1-5 each.