Provincial holders Meath made an impressive start to their Leinster V. S. Senior Football Championship campaign with a 15-point win over Longford at Abbeylara on Saturday (Dec. 3rd).

Two first half goals inside the opening 10 minutes from Niall Carolan and Caoimhin Griffin put the Royals on their way.

Meath could have opened the net before the break again but were denied by some top class goalkeeping from Gareth Higgins in the Longford goal.

Longford looked to cut the half time deficit of seven points but recieved a further blow when Meath corner forward Ryan Carey found the net for their third, this left them with a mountain to climb.

Longford fought back but goals proved to be crucial on the day as Meath ran out convincing winners on a scoreline of 0-5 to 3-11.

Scorers: Meath: N. Carolan (1-2), C. Griffin, R. Carey 1-0 each, A. Hughes, O. Reilly 0-2 each, P. Donnellan, C. O'Brien, N. Carolan, G. Deery, C. Carton 0-1 each. Longford: C. Madden (0-3), L. Sullivan, C. Mallon 0-1 each.

Meath: S. Rooney; N. Lenehan, P. Gallagher, G. Deery; C. Carton, S. McEntee, S. Byrne; L. Beggy, M. Brogan; R. O'Dowd, C. O'Brien, C. Griffin; P. Donnellan, N. Carolan, R. Carey. Subs: O. Reilly for S. Byrne, A. Hughes for C. Griffin, C Smith for R. O'Dowd, L. Ferguson for N. Carolan.

Longford: G. Higgins; W. Goldrick, J. Gill, B. Garry; L. Sullivan, D. Murphy, D. Reilly; C. Madden, T. Jackson; A. Mc Brien, C. Mallon, G. Kelly; S. Harton, N. Casserly, D. Burke. Subs: E. Kelly for W. Goldrick, P. Keegan for N. Casserly, W. Goldrick for Kelly.

Referee: D. Brazil (Offaly) Tweet

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