Meath U21 footballers travelled to Kinnegad last Saturday afternoon (7th January) and faced Westmeath in a challenge game. In what was a keenly contested friendly, the hosts ran out winners on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-12.

With a number of established players unavailable, manager Liam Harnan used the game to give others the chance to impress.

Westmeath started the brightest and led by 0-5 to 0-0 by the first quarter. A well taking score on 17 minutes from Donal Lenihan finally got Meath off the mark.

Shortly after, the home side resumed their dominance, a goal from full forward John Maguire left Meath with a mountain to climb. Right before the break, Oldcastle's Conor McHugh shot Meath's second score, leaving Westmeath in front by nine at half time - 1-8 to 0-2.

Westmeath picked up where they left off, within a minute of the second half, Maguire fisted to the Meath net for his second. The hosts looked home and hosed at this stage as they led by twelve.

However, with the aid of the wind Meath made a major improvement outpointing the Lake County in the second half. Three quick frees from the boot of Marty Mulhall began the Royal rally.

Meath landed the next seven scores of the game, Landy (3), Damien Carroll, McHugh (2) and Dunshaughlin's Fergus Toolan all found the target to close the deficit to three.

Without a score in 20 minutes, Westmeath close the game with a fine point from substitute David Minnock.

Meath Team and Scorers: Ross Walsh, Andrew Garland, Cormac Noonan, Alistair Doyle, Gavin Quigley, Brian Moore, Shane Morgan, Conor McHugh (0-3), Sean Tobin, Donal Landy (0-3), Mark O'Sullivan, David Lynch, Donal Lenihan (0-1), Marty Mulhall (0-3f), Willie McGrath. Subs used: Brian Dillon, Damien Carroll (0-1), Fergus Toolan (0-1f), Brian Mc Mahon, Anthony Forde. Tweet

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