Meath minors captured their first Leinster title since 1993 after a well earned victory over Offaly in Croke Park on Sunday 16 July. Meath 1-16 Offaly 2-5 Dudley Farrell's charges made the most of their opportunities as a wasteful Offaly side kicked 16 wides in total. Offaly struggled to contain Graham Reilly and Shane O'Rourke on the day as both players ended up with five points apiece. The first quarter of play was full of energy and scores. After nine minutes of play Alan Nestor beat his man for pace and finished superbly to the net to give Meath a four point advantage. Offaly responded in fine fashion as the green flag was raised three minutes later when James Gorman netted from a superb delivery from Ross Brady to leave two points between the teams. Meath doubled their advantage soon after to leave the scoreline Meath 1-7 Offaly 1-3 at half-time. Meath started where they left off as points from Reilly and Brian Sheridan increased their advantage after the break. Sheridan had a goal chance well saved from Offaly keeper Brian Quinlan just after that would have left some daylight between the two teams. The Faithful County had their second goal of the game after 45 minutes of play. Offaly were awarded a penalty after James Gorman was brought down in the penalty area by Shane Carr. Ken Casey followed up after Willie Mulhall's initial effort hit the wood work. Offaly were back in the game as there was only three points between the two. Meath's defence tightened up for the last ten minutes, as Casey's goal would prove to be the last score of the game for Offaly. Meath registered five more points in the last ten minutes through O'Rourke, Nestor and the impressive Graham Reilly to run out eight point winners. Meath J Ginnity, G Farrelly, S Sheppard, S Carr, D Donegan, E Reilly, P Brady, S O'Rourke (0-5), C Finn, G Reilly (0-5), C Lynch (0-1), D Dalton, A Nestor (1-2), S Keating(0-1), B Sheridan (0-2) Subs: C Carry for Keating, P Larkin for Lynch, C Clarke for E Reilly. Offaly: B Quinlan, B Lonergan, D Hales, S Pender, G Ward, D Horan, J Knight, D Kilmartin, R Brady, J Gorman (1-1), D Currams, B Kelly, W Mulhall (0-2), N Dunne, K Casey. Subs: C Mahon for Kilmartin, N Geraghty for Horan, C Egan for Dunne, G O'Connell for Kelly, P lambe for Brady. Tweet

Most Read Stories