In a dress rehearsal for Sunday week's highly-anticipated Leinster SFC final, Louth avenged last year's defeat to neighbours Meath with an impressive 2-19 to 1-15 victory in last night's provincial U20 decider at Cedral St Conleth's Park.

In doing so, Fergal Reel's charges claimed their first provincial title in the U20 / U21 grade since 1981. First half goals from senior panellist Pearse Grimes Murphy and Adam Gillespie, along with an unanswered eight-point burst in the third quarter, proved decisive as the Wee County set up an All-Ireland semi-final date with Connacht champions Mayo.

Eamonn Armstrong, Jamie Murphy and Rian Stafford, who all featured in last year's Leinster triumph, scored 0-7 between them in the first half, but the holders still trailed by 1-8 to 2-8 at the break with Grimes Murphy's goal just before half-time giving Louth the edge. The Meath goal was scored by Tadhg Martyn in the 10th minute.

The game was won and lost between the 34th and 42nd minute when the new champions reeled off eight points in a blistering spell to surge into a 2-16 to 1-9 lead.

The Royals responded with a couple of two-pointers, but further points from Tony and Tadhg McDonnell ensured Louth wouldn't be caught.

 

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