Meath crowned Leinster U20 champions for first time in 23 years
Meath’s Hughie Corcoran and Jack Kinlough celebrate at the final whistle of their side's Leinster U20 final victory over Louth. Picture: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
A remarkable individual display from defender Eamonn Armstrong helped propel Meath to a landmark Leinster U-20 FC title success.
The powerful wing-back, who finished with 1-2, netted for the third game running and inspired the Royals to a first title at the grade since 2001.
Jamie Murphy was terrific for the Cathal O Bric managed side too and struck 1-5 while substitute Tadhg Martyn sniped a third goal in stoppage time.
O Bric managed Meath to All-Ireland minor success in 2021 and has now guided much of the same group to a rare provincial title at the next grade up.
Meath will attempt to push on now for another All-Ireland title and will take on the Munster champions - Cork or Kerry - at the last four stage on May 11/12.
Returning to Parnell Park brought contrasting emotions for both camps as Louth beat Dublin there just last week.
As for Meath, they lost to the Dubs at the Donneycarney venue in the group stage before rebounding with knock-out wins over Laois and Kildare to reach the final.
Louth, thriving on those positive vibes, opened up an early 0-4 to 0-2 lead and hinted that another famous win in north Dublin was on the cards.
Kieran McArdle, who came into the decider with 4-23 from five games, scored two of those four Louth points in the opening quarter.
But things suddenly went south for Fergal Reel's side who didn't score again until the 25th minute.
In the meantime, Meath reeled off 1-4 without response to take firm control of the game with their aggressive press on Louth's kick-out proving effective.
Hughie Corcoran, Jack Kinlough, Rian Stafford and Murphy pointed for Meath before Armstrong struck the crucial goal.
Louth were aware of his attacking threat but couldn't prevent him from bursting forward, getting on the end of a Conor Duke pass and slipping a low finish to the net.
Louth's response was impressive, back-to-back points from Maguire, to leave the goal between the teams at half-time, 1-6 to 0-6.
Pearse Grimes Murphy cut the deficit further with a point after the restart before Meath drilled their second goal.
Armstrong was the provider again with a blistering run through the centre before offloading to Murphy who could have taken his point but went for goal and was rewarded.
Meath dominated the final quarter, outscoring their neighbours by 1-7 to 0-3 in the last 20 minutes or so to take the U-20 silverware for the ninth time in their history.
J Murphy (1-5, 2 frees); E Armstrong (1-2); T Martyn (1-0); L Kelly, H Corcoran (1 free) (0-2 each); R Stafford, J Kinlough (0-1 each).
K McArdle (0-5, 3 frees); P Grimes Murphy (0-4); J Maguire (0-3, 2 frees).
O McDermott; S O'Hare, L Kelly, K Smyth; E Armstrong, J O'Regan, C Ennis; J Kinlough, C O'Connor; C Duke, R Stafford, S Leonard; H Corcoran, J Murphy, R McConnell.
Subs: C McWeeney for Stafford (34); T Martyn for Leonard (47); J Harkin for Corcoran (57); S Byrne for O'Hare (62); J Mannion for Smyth (65).
C O'Donoghue; C McKeown, K Martin, F Tipping; T McDonnell, A McGlew, C Maher; D McDonnell, S Callaghan; J Maguire, L Flynn, D Dorian; P Grimes Murphy, S Reynolds, K McArdle.
Subs: R Deery for Tipping (18); J Rogers for Dorian (46); C McGinty for Flynn (50); F Cummiskey for Callaghan (52); S Halpenny for Maguire (59).
D Stynes (Dublin).
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