Meath 3-11

Laois 0-6

Meath began their pre-season campaign with a comprehensive victory over an experimental Laois in the opening round of the Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup in Portlaoise tonight.

Seven players were on target for the Royals in a game where 3-7 of their 3-11 tally came from open play.

In a game where the new experimental rules were in vogue, there was plenty of kick-passing on show, particularly into the full-forward lines, with little needing to be blown in terms of overuse of handpasses.

The sides were twice level inside the opening 15 minutes, with little in terms of scores, the score-board reading 0-2 apiece at this stage with Gary Walsh and Brian Daly taking the hosts early points.

Meath initially equalising through Mickey Newman, before James Conlon put them in front, and then arrived Daly's equaliser.

The opening stages were dominated by the poor weather conditions, but once the rain eased better football was produced.

Meath gained a foothold and pushed forward thanks to scores from Conlon and Donal Keogan, and with 12 minutes to go before the break double-scores separated the sides.

The Royals continued to give the Laois defence a tough time, but debutant goalkeeper Scott Osbourne was equal to an Adam Flanagan goal shot.

However, Meath soon forged a 2-6 to 0-2 lead, with Newman slotting over the resulting 45', before Daniel Quinn fisted over a point.

Goals arrived back-to-back for Meath, with Ronan Ryan slotting a low shot to the Laois net for his sides opening goal, after a turnover in the 28th minute.

Osbourne was busy between the posts for Laois, and although he initially saved, Daniel Quinn sent the rebound to the net to hand Meath a 10-point lead.

Laois found a much needed point from Gary Walsh in the 31st minute, but a brace of Newman pointed frees saw the Royals 2-8 to 0-3 ahead at half-time.

Scores were at a premium early on the restart, with an Eoin Lowry point the only score inside the first six minutes of the second half.

A brace of scores, including Newman's fifth ensured a 12-point gap, before Daniel O'Reilly made a welcome return to the Laois jersey, after an assault post the league-final win left the Graiguecullen clubman out of action for the Championship.

David Conway got a much required point for Laois, but Meath continued to dominate.

Thomas O'Reilly completed the visitors hat-trick at the start of the final quarter, and although they only managed to add a further point the Royals were very deserving winners.

MEATH: Andrew Colgan; Seamus Lavin, Bryan Menton, Ronan Ryan (1-0); James McEntee, Donal Keogan (0-1), Gavin McCoy; Sean Tobin, Adam Flanagan; Daniel Quinn (1-1), Darragh Campion (0-1), Bryan McMahon; James Conlon (0-2), Michael Newman (0-5, 4f, 1 45'), Thomas O'Reilly (1-1). Subs: Niall Hickey for Conlon (25); Graham Reilly for McMahon (47); Conor McGill for Tobin (54); Thomas McGovern for Ryan (56); Niall Kane for McCoy (56); Robert Garry for Quinn (58); Andrew Beakey for Colgan (64); Sean Reilly for McEntee (64).

LAOIS: Scott Osbourne; Adam Campion, Denis Booth, Damien O'Connor; Stephen Attride, Mark Timmons (0-1), Robert Piggot; John O'Loughlin, Brian Daly (0-1); Martin Scully, David Conway (0-1), Sean Byrne; Eoin Lowry (0-1), Gary Walsh (0-2, 1f), Paul Kingston. Subs: Daniel O'Reilly for Daly (44); Michael Keogh for Kingston (44); Nigel Murphy for Conway (50); Darren Strong for O'Loughlin (50); Shane Nerney for O'Connor (50); Richie Hitchcock for Campion (64); Brian Byrne for Scully (64); Finbarr Crowley for Attride (66).

REFEREE: Fintan Pierce (Offaly).

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