Meath qualified to meet Longford in the Hastings Cup Under 21 football tournament final with this four point semi final win over Cavan at Abbeylara.

Meath 2-9 Cavan 1-8

The winners were rocked in the opening three minutes of the game. Caoimhin O'Reilly sent over the first point and a minute later Jason McMahon raced through their defence for the games opening goal.

Full forward Thomas O'Reilly settled Meath by pointing a free and after ten minutes the Royals had the lead down to a point thanks to fine efforts from Sean Noonan and another O'Reilly free. O'Reilly levelled matters and by the 20th minute Meath were in front with points from O'Reilly and Noonan again. 

Caoimhin O'Reilly finally got Cavan's third score after 22 minutes to tie up the game but the Breffni men were rocked with two goals inside a minute. David McLoughlin got the first after great work by Thomas O'Reilly and Fionn Reilly followed up immediately finishing a Meade and O'Reilly move to the Cavan net.

Cavan responded well to this double blow and tagged on the last three scores of the half through their impressive full forward Caoimhin O'Reilly. Meath went in at the break 2-5 to 1-5 in front.

Both sets of supporters had to wait until the 15th minute of the second half for a score. Bryan Magee narrowed the lead with a fine effort. But Meath replied with a brace from O'Reilly and a good score from Sean Meade to extend their lead. Pierce Smith got Cavan's second score after 28 minutes. The two 14's O'Reilly and O'Reilly traded scores and despite dominating possession in the closing stages Cavan could not break down a stubborn Meath defence.

Meath will play Longford, who defeated Leitrim in their semi final, in the decider which has been fixed for next Friday, 27 January at Allen Park, Newtownforbes at 8pm. 

Meath scorers: Thomas O'Reilly (0-5), David McLoughlin, Fionn Reilly 1-0 each, Sean Noonan (0-2), Conor Moriarty and Sean Meade 0-1 each.

Cavan scorers: Caoimhin O'Reilly 0-6, Jason McMahon 1-0, Pierce Smith and Bryan Magee 0-1 each.

Meath: Adam McDermott; James Reilly, Eoin Green, Robin Clarke; James Mooney, Daniel O'Neill, Sean Noonan; Sean Reilly, Brían Conlon; Brian McGrath, Conor Moriarty, Sean Meade; Fionn Reilly, Thomas O'Reilly, David McLoughlin. Subs: Jason Scully, Eanna O'Kelly Lynch, Ethan Devine, Eoin Smith, Cathal McConnell, Darragh Campion, Dylan Brady.

Cavan: Mark Fegan; Sean O'Connor, Donal Monahan, David Wilson; Jason McMahon, Conor Brady, Stuart Dunne; Cormac Daly, Matthew McKenna; Pierce Smith, Bryan Magee, Peter Corrigan; Evan Doughty, Caoimhin O'Reilly, Conor Smith. Subs: Ryan Connolly, Thomas Edward Donohoe, Thomas Galligan, Brendan Argue, Ben Conaty, Rhys Clarke.

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