Meath 1-9
Longford 1-7

An experimental Meath side finished with two points to spare over Longford at Trim on Sunday.

As Mick O'Dowd's preparations for the new year cranked up a gear, James McEntee and Mark O'Sullivan were the only members of the 2014 championship panel on duty.

In comparison, Jack Sheedy fielded a reasonably strong Longford side that included the likes of Michael Quinn, Enda Williams and Francis McGee.

Backed by a strong wind, the hosts went in at the break with an 0-8 to 1-3 lead but they struggled in front of the posts for a long period of the second-half.

A late scoring burst, that yielded 1-1 from O'Sullivan, edged the Royals over the line with their noses in front.

Meath - Andy Markey (St Peter's, Dunboyne); James McEntee (0-1, Curraha), Conor McGill (Ratoath), Nicky Judge (Ballinabrackey); Darren Brennan (Moynalvey), Brian Power (Ratoath), Neil Shorthall (Curraha); Ciaran McConnell (0-1, Bective), Harry Rooney (Skryne); Fergus Toolan (Dunshaughlin), Mark O'Sullivan (1-2, 0-1 f, Moynalvey), Ben Duggan (0-1, Dunshaughlin); Conor Downey (Na Fianna), Sean Tobin (0-2, 1 f, 1 45, Simonstown), Ruairi O'Dowd (0-2, Walterstown). Subs: David Toner (Curraha), Cian Mallen (Ballinlough), Simon Carty (Dunderry), Mark McCullen (Ballinlough).

Tweet

Most Read Stories