Meath 0-19
Louth 0-10
Kevin O’Brien reports from Croke Park
MEATH DEFEATED LOUTH to claim their first Leinster title at Croke Park since their controversial senior football win over the same opposition seven years ago.
This victory was far more straightforward for the Royals, who were completely dominant as they cruised to the nine-point victory.
Meath advance to the All-Ireland JFC semi-final to face the British representatives on 22 July.
Adam Flanagan, Paddy Kennelly and James Conlon all gave impressive displays for Ger Robinson’s side. They took an 11-point lead into half-time and the second-half was merely a formality with the victory never in doubt.
William Woods slotted over a free to give Louth an early lead, but Meath responded with eight scores in succession to lead by 0-8 to 0-1 on 20 minutes.
James Conlon and Daire Rowe were doing the damage inside and hit eight points between them in the first-half, while Paddy Kennelly’s probing runs from deep yielded a brace before the interval.
Meath led by 0-14 to 0-3 at half-time and the game was as good as over. Louth’s display improved after the break and they outscored Meath by 0-7 to 0-5 in the second-half.
Daniel O’Connell, Dean Maguire and William Woods kicked a brace each for the Wee County, but Meath cantered home.
Scorers for Meath: Daire Rowe 0-5 (0-2f), James Conlon 0-4, Paddy Kennelly 0-3, Kevin Ross 0-3 (0-1f), Ben Brennan, Michael Flood, David Toner and Neil Shorthall 0-1 each.
Scorers for Louth: William Woods 0-5 (0-3f), Daniel O’Connell and Aaron O’Brien 0-2 each, Colm Giggins 0-1 each.
Meath
1. Johnny Lynch (Moynalty)
4. Michael Flood (St Brigid’s)
3. Luke Moran (Trim)
2. Adam Lynch (St Colmcille’s)
7. Kevin Traynor (Syddan)
6. Joe Sweeney (St Colmcille’s)
5. David Toner (Curraha)
8. Adam Flanagan (Clonard)
9. Conor Farrell (Dunderry)
12. Cathal McConnell (Bective)
15. Kevin Ross (Castletown)
10. Paddy Kennelly (Dunderry)
14. Daire Rowe (Syddan)
11. Ben Brennan (St Colmcille’s)
13. James Conlon (St Colmcille’s)
Subs
18. Stephen Coogan (Dunderry) for Conlon (43)
23. Neil Shorthall (Curraha) for McConnell (47)
17. Declan Smyth (Dunsany) for Traynor (51)
24. Willie Carry (Drumbaragh) for Brennan (52)
20. Jamie Reilly (St Michael’s) for Lynch (56)
22. Ciaran O’Rourke (Trim) for Toner (57)
Louth
1. Robert Samson (St Joseph’s)
2. Barry Reynolds (Oliver Plunketts)
3. Kieran Leneghan (Naomh Fionarra)
24. Niall McCabe (Glen Emmets)
5. Niall Sharkey (Glyde Rangers)
6. David Quigley (Roche Emmets)
7. Michael McDonald (Glan Na Gael)
8. Robert Brodigan (Oliver Plunketts)
9. Daniel O’Connell (Roche Emmets)
10. Ciaran Sheridan (Glyde Rangers)
13. Cian Callan (St Kevin’s)
12. Colm Giggins (Stabannon Parnells)
11. Dean Maguire (Dundalk Young Irelands)
14. Conal O’Hanlon (St Joseph’s)
15. William Woods (Naomh Fionbarra)
Subs
17. Mark Hoey (St Bride’s) for Reynolds (ht)
21. Conor Early (Oliver Plunketts) for Maguire (ht)
18. Hugh Osborne (Naomh Fionbarra) for Lenaghan (38)
19. Aaron O’Brien (Mattock Rangers) for Callan (39)
20. Peter Nixon (Dundalk Young Irelands) for Giggins (42)
4. Cillian Kirk (St Bride’s) for Brodigan (blood sub, 44 – 50)
4. Kirk for McCabe (57)
Referee: Fergal Barry (Longford)
