Meath 0-21 Armagh 1-14 Meath withstood a strong Armagh rally at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon before securing a Rackard Cup final date with London at Croke Park on July 11. The Royal County side who dispatched Sligo and Louth by a combined margin of 35 points looked set to close out for a comfortable win on home ground when leading by 0-16 to 0-6 four minutes into the second-half. With a strengthening breeze blowing from the town end, Armagh outscored Meath by 1-8 to 0-5 thereafter as the home side needed a late point from Joey Keena to finally quell the Orchard County side's challenge. Keena seven-point salvo from play was the highlight of a disjointed Meath display that was overshadowed by the red-carding of midfielder Stephen Clynch in the 52nd minute. Clynch was dismissed on the say-so of a linesman for alleged striking an opponent after a free was awarded to Armagh. Paul Breen pointed and just five points separated the sides, 1-9 to 0-17. Keena and Cathal Carvill exchanged points before a questionable decision went against Meath. When Phillip Garvey's delivery from midfield wound up in the Armagh net, a free-out was quickly awarded by Galway referee Alan Kelly even tough he was a long way from the action. Meath's Kevin Fagan didn't appear to be in the 'square' while Armagh 'keeper Joseph Burke appeared to advance to contest possession before losing the flight of the ball with the sun in his eyes. Team captain Neil Hackett returned to the side for his first Rackard Cup outing and finished with nine points from placed balls (seven frees and two 65s) to his name. The experienced Mike Cole was introduced in the latter stages and contributed a point as well as having a hand in Keena's final score. Armagh might have got close but struck seven second-half wides but managed to whittle down the deficit to just three points with time almost up with efforts from Ryan Gaffney and Declan Coulter. Meath appeared to be in the comfort zone in the opening 35 minutes during which time they posted 12 wides to Armagh's seven and reached the dressing rooms with a 0-13 to 0-5 advantage. Clynch placed the lively Kevin Fagan for the opening score. That was quickly cancelled out by a Breen free. Seven minutes in Hackett made his first impression on the scoresheet when pointing from a '65' close to the right-hand touchline. Meath were never to be subsequently reeled in. With the Dunboyne man's contributions from placed balls and Keena efforts from open play Meath went 0-10 to 0-3 clear by the 25th minute. A brace of Breen frees cut the gap somewhat before Meath closed out the half with points from Hackett (free) and Keena (two). Meath were ten points clear within six minutes of the resumption when Peter Durnin's goal attempt was brilliantly turned away by Burke. Meath - S. Quinn; M. Foley, E. Fitzgerald, M. Horan; J. Boyle, P. Fagan, D. Kirby; S. Clynch (0-1), P. Garvey (0-1); P. Durnin, N. Hackett (0-9, 7 frees, 2 65s), G. O'Neill; J. Keena (0-7), N. Horan (0-1), K. Fagan (0-1). Subs - P. Keogh for O'Neill (52), M. Cole (0-1) for Durnin (60), D. Muldoon for N. Horan (70). Armagh - J. Burke; B. McCormack, P. McArdle, P. Gaffney; N. Curry, P. McCormack (0-1), F. McMullen; B. McCann (0-1), G. Enright (0-2); K. McKernan, C. Carvill (1-2), R. Gaffney (0-1); P. Breen (0-4, frees), D. Coulter (0-2, 1 free), F. Bradley. Subs - J. Corvan (0-1) for Bradley (43), D. Carvill for Breen (65). Referee - A. Kelly (Galway). Tweet

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