GAA: Meath to meet Kerry in semi-final

Meath will meeet Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final following their five point win over near neighbours Westmeath in their Bank of Ireland Football quarter-final replay at Croke Park.

Meath 2-10, Westmeath 0-11 (full-time)

Meath will meet Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final following their five point win over near neighbours Westmeath in their Bank of Ireland Football quarter-final replay at Croke Park.

Westmeath had 12 wides in total compared to just three for Meath, and while Westmeath dominated possession at times, they were guilty of swaundering chances.

In the first incident of the game, left half-back Hank Traynor was booked in the second minute.

Westmeath opened the scoring through a Joe Fallon free on five minutes.

But four minutes later Meath responded through full-forward Graham Geraghty who found the back of the Westmeath net, in a goal in which Ollie Murphy and Trevor Giles were involved.

Westmeath never recovered and despite levelling the game once in the second half, didn't lead the game after this.

Damien Healy was booked for a foul on Ollie Murphy in the 15th minute, but 30 seconds later Murphy was booked for fouling Healy from the resulting free.

As tempers frayed, Hank Traynor - already on a yellow card - brought down Dessie Dolan and received his marching orders.

With Meath reduced to 14 men, Fergal Murray was the free man but Westmeath failed to capitalise on the extra space.

Trevor Giles scored from a free on 21 minutes, while Ger Heavin and Joe Fallon pointed for Westmeath.

In the final 10 minutes of the first half, petulant behaviour from both sides saw a plethora of off-the-ball incidents.

Joe Fallon scored from play to level the sides in the 38th minute but Paul Conway responded a minute later.

But Meath again struck a killer blow in the 40th minute when substitute Raymond Magee found the back of the Westmeath net.

The sides then exchanged points, but points from Evan Kelly, Ollie Murphy and Trevor Giles sealed the win for the Royal County.

Westmeath failed to make use their extra man while Meath took advantage of every breaking ball in the second half to get a deserved win.