Meath march into Rackard Cup decider

Meath 0-21 Armagh 1-14

The dismissal of Stephen Clynch and a strong Armagh comeback failed to faze Meath as they claimed a four-point win in today's Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final at Pairc Tailteann.

The Royal hurlers impressed throughout and led by six points after 23 minutes, with free-taker Niall Hackett hitting all six.

Paul Breen kept the visitors in touch with three of their first half points, but Hackett and Joey Keena reigned supreme to ensure a 0-13 to 0-05 interval lead for Meath.

Meath outscored Armagh by three points to one inside three minutes of the restart, but Cathal Carville's 43rd-minute goal gave Armagh a life-line.

The visitors were back within a goal of their opponents when Declan Coulter sent over a 70th minute point.

However, a late Joe Keena point confirmed the Meath win and their progress through to the final.

Scorers - Meath: N Hackett 0-09 (0-02 '65', 0-07f), J Keena 0-06, K Fagan 0-02, P Garvey, N Horan, S Clynch, M Cole 0-01 each

Armagh: C Carville 1-02, P Breen 0-04 (0-04f), G Enright, B McCann, D Coulter (0-01f) 0-02 each, J Corvan, P McCormack 0-01 each