Kerry 1-20

Meath 0-13

Kerry's had 10 points to spare over Meath in their Joe McDonagh Cup first round clash at Austin Stack Park, Tralee.

Shane Conway converted nine frees as the Kingdom put behind them the disappointment of last Sunday's Allianz League Division 2A final loss to Antrim to win in impressive fashion. The hosts were never headed at any stage, though the sides were level on 0-5 apiece after 20 minutes with scores from Padraic O’Hanrahan and Jack Regan helping Meath to recover from a three-point deficit at the first water break.

However, Fintan O'Connor's charges gradually took control thereafter and had established a 1-11 to 0-8 lead by half-time thanks to a goal from midfielder Shane Nolan in the 31st minute.

Kerry extended their advantage to 1-15 to 0-10 at the second water break and will be confident of making it two wins from two when they travel to Mullingar to face Westmeath - who suffered a heavy defeat to Antrim in the other first round tie - next weekend.

Kerry - D Delaney; J Buckley, B Murphy, E Leen; T O’Connor, J Diggins, F Mackessy; B O’Leary, S Nolan (1-2); B Barrett (0-1), M O’Leary (0-2), M Leane; S Conway (0-9f), M Boyle (0-4), M Slattery (0-1). Subs: D Collins for M Leane, P Boyle for M Slattery, C Harty (0-1) for M O’Leary, J O’Connor for T O’Connor, D Casey for B O’Leary.

Meath - M McCormack; S Geraghty, S Brennan, M Burke; S Whitty (0-1), D Kelly, K Keoghan; P Conneely, M Molloy; J Regan (0-4), P O’Hanrahan (0-8, 7f), C McCabe; E O Donnchadha, S Morris, J Walsh. Subs: N Potterton for E O Donnchadha, P Potterton for M Molloy, D McGowan for J Walsh, P Slevin for C McCabe, J McGowan for S Morris.

Referee - T Walsh.

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