MEATH, who reached the final thanks to a bloodless semi final success against disqualified Dublin, successfully defended their title and captured the Leinster under 21 FC crown for the seventh time in Tullamore yesterday by easily defeating a disappointing Westmeath side.

Before an attendance of 10,000, the game was played at a cracking pace. Westmeath started well and led by 0-3 to 0-1 midway through the first half, but they failed to reproduce their excellent semifinal form against Kildare.

However, once Meath got into their stride they proved far more dangerous in attack, with corner forward Raymond Magee in particular doing a lot of damage as the holders swept to an interval lead of 0-6 to 0-4.

The gap steadily widened in the second half with left half back Paddy Reynolds scoring a great individual goal in the 44th minute after a 50 yard solo run to put the game virtually out of Westmeath's reach.