Meath 0-13 Louth 0-10:HAVING LOST to the same opposition in the opening round, Meath reversed that result to advance to the provincial final for the first time since 2008 at Páirc Tailteann last night.
Cillian O’Sullivan was an influential figure in the home side’s attack in the opening half and the accurate wing forward opened the scoring before Brian McMahon doubled the advantage.
Ciarán Byrne was the main threat in the Louth attack, kicking all of his side’s four points, three from play, before the break.
O’Sullivan’s second score left the scores 0-4 to 0-1. Byrne then put over three of the next four scores to get Louth closer.
Two converted frees by Neil Shorthall left Meath leading by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break. The advantage should have been greater, as McMahon finished wide with a goal for the taking near the end of the first period.
Although Byrne hit the first point after the restart, Meath took control to go into a 0-10 to 0-5 lead on 36 minutes.
Louth rallied to get the deficit down to two points, with centre back Daniel Grimes their only other scorer.
Meath lost Shorthall to a second yellow card on 47 minutes, but they made light of the setback to regain the five-point advantage.Substitute Cathal Smith got on target from play and a free before McMahon completed the total.
Two late frees by Byrne were not enough for Louth who could not repeat their earlier heroics.
MEATH: R Burlingham; A Forde, B McConnon, O Fitzpatrick; C Finn, S Melia, D Smyth; P Harnan, S McEntee; N Shorthall (0-3, frees), B O’Brien, C O’Sullivan (0-3); B McMahon (0-4), R Farrelly, W McGrath. Subs: C Smith (0-3, one free) for Farrelly (43), S Sheridan for McMahon (56).
LOUTH: C Quigley; M Kane, D Campbell, N McCabe; C Bellew, D Grimes (0-1), D McMahon; R McCabe, M Breen; S Thornton, P Reilly, C Smyth; C McKeever, J Horan, C Byrne (0-9, five frees). Subs: D Breen for Quigley, J King for Smyth (both 30), K Ryan for McKeever (43), R Brodigan for McCabe (55), S McAuley for King (59).
Referee: F Barry (Kildare).
