Kildare lead after early lull

Meath 1-03, Kildare 0-11 (half-time)

Kildare awoke, aided by the breeze and a 0-01 to 1-3 deficit after 12 minutes, to take a deserved half-time lead at Croke Park.

Graham Geraghty won a penalty for Meath after six minutes, which Trevor Giles duly dispatched.

Hank Traynor pointed on 12 minutes but that was the Royals' last score of the first half.

A total transformation in Lilywhite fortunes saw them shift up the field with unerring accuracy and pace.

Eight of Kildare's opening period scores came from open play, with outstanding braces for Anthony Rainbow and Ronan Sweeney.