Meath 6-15 Louth 1-3

The impressive match day programme had it billed as ‘Arch Rivals. Pride on the line. It starts here’ but supporters that turned up at the very impressive Drumconrath GFC grounds knew that this game was done and dusted after the opening 15 minutes. The hosts added to the special occasion with stewarding, tea and coffee, pre match music, a half time underage match and the National Anthem sung by Lenore McMahon.

The game marked Meath’s first ever competitive outing in the Gaelic Masters football championship.

With former county stars Joe Sheridan and Peadar Byrne along with full back Paddy Nugent and midfielder Keith Reilly to the fore the home side were always on top.

Sheridan and Byrne were part of the last Meath team to win a Leinster SFC title after that controversial victory over the same opposition in 2010. Reilly got the scoreboard working before Byrne was in for the first of his two goals. A brace from Sheridan was followed by a Barry Balfe goal. Gary Arkins and Bernard McLoughlin got in on the scoring act and Meath were 2-5 to 0-0 up inside the opening quarter. Sheridan and Mark Brennan (2) completed the first half rout and Tadhg Boyle’s men went to the dressing room 2-8 to 0-2 in front.

White flags from Sheridan, Reilly and corner back Ronan McGuinness along with Byrne’s second goal put the game out of Louth’s reach in the early stages of the second half. Meath finished with further goals from Stevie McManus, Balfe and score of the game from Sheridan to run out very comfortable winners.

Next up for the Royals is against Laois on May 23rd at home.

Meath: Willie Arkins (Drumbaragh), Ray Russell (St. Pats), Brian O’Reilly (Nobber), Ronan McGuinness (Ballinlough) 0-1, Paddy Nugent (Carnaross), James Flavin (Donaghmore Ashbourne), Brian Lucey (Ballinabrackey), Keith Reilly (Gaeil Colmcille) 0-4, Gary Arkins (Gaeil Colmcille) 0-1, Stevie McManus (Gaeil Colmcille) 1-0, Gordon Weldon (Nobber), Peadar Byrne (Ballinlough) 2-0, Barry Balfe (Gaeil Colmcille) 2-1, Joe Sheridan (Seneschalstown) 1-4, Keith Hamilton (Boardsmill), Keith McGuinness (Ballinlough), Mark Brennan (Dunsany) 0-2, Neil Darby (Seneschalstown) 0-1, David Gormley (Gaeil Colmcille), Matthew Hanley (Wolfe Tones), Brendan Heffernan (Nobber), Gordon Manning (Gaeil Colmcille), Bernard McLoughlin (Boardsmill) 0-1, Niall Mooney (St. Pats), David Poynton Rowley (Clonard), David Russell (Kilmainhamwood), 27 Owen McGrath (Trim)

Referee Mickey Lee (Cavan)

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