Stephen Clynch led the scoring surge with 1-9 as Meath easily dispatched neighbours Louth to secure a Rackard Cup 'semi' spot with 19 points to spare at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon. Meath 1-26 Louth 0-10 In the absence of team captain and main free-taker Neil Hackett, Clynch assumed both responsibilities as T. J. Reilly's side posted their second big win in the third tier championship. By the end 11 different Meath players were on the scoresheet while a tally of 13 wides gives the Royal County side something to work ahead of their last four fixture in two weeks time. Nicky Horan and Dave Kirby were also absent through injury while Meath never realy had to extend themselves to fend off Louth (who beat Monaghan in the opening round). The scores were tied just once when Diarmuid Murphy landed a free from about 50 metres after Meath's Mickey Burke was adjudged to have thrown the sliotar. Murphy's accuracy from placed balls allowed Louth reach a double-figure total but the outcome was never really in doubt. Louth defenders Adrian Wallace and Ronan Byrne showed up well in the early exchanges butMeath taggedon the points rather than going for goals. The bravery of Louth 'keeper Eddie McArdle prevented Meath full-forward Derek Muldoon from getting in for a goal 15 minutes in. However, Clynch landed the subsequent '65' at the hospital end. Just two points separated the sides, 0-6 to 0-4, at the end of the opening quarter after Corkman Eddie McCarthy sent over a fine effort from play. Earlier Brian McCabe registered the visitors only other such score. Despite playing into a stiff breeze Meath posted six points on the spin with a Mickey Burke effort getting the sequence going. Kevin Fagan, Phillip Garvey, Peter Durnin and Joey Keena also pointed from play during that time before Clynch closed Meath's first-half account from another '65'. Another pointed free from Murphy left Louth 0-5 to 0-12 in arrears at the interval. A similar score left just six points between the sides within a minute of the restart. On a pristine pitch, Meath kicked on and when wing-back Martin Horan became the tenth player in green and gold to get on the scoresheet it was 0-16 to 0-8 after 43 minutes. Seconds later Paul Fagan pointed a free from his own '65' as wind-assisted Meath eased towards a last four place. The only goal arrived in the 52^nd minute with Clynch firing to the Louth net from close range after Muldoon's effort was blocked. That left it 1-20 to 0-8. A brace of Murphy points, a free and a '65', completed the Louth tally before Meath closed out the scoring with six points on the spin. Kevin Fagan's 62nd minute effort could have been a goal but the sliotar skied over the bar while a Peter Durnin effort from distance was waved wide by an umpire before being signalled 'good' by Armagh referee Ger Devlin. While Meath take the direct route to the last four stage, Louth have another outing in the competition next weekend. Meath - S. Quinn; C. Burke, E. Fitzgerald, M. Foley; J. Boyle (0-1), P. Fagan (0-1, free), M. Horan (0-1); M. Burke (0-1), S. Clynch (1-9, 0-4 frees, 0-3 65s); P. Garvey (0-1), R. Massey (0-1), P. Durnin (0-4); K. Fagan (0-4), D. Muldoon (0-1), J. Keena (0-2). Subs - P. Keogh for Massey (50), K. Dowd for Horan (51), M. Cole for Muldoon (58), G. O'Neill for Garvey (60), T. Fox for Boyle (61). Louth - E. McArdle; M. Wallace, A. Carter, A. Wallace; J. Greville, R. Byrne, M. Martin; T. Hilliard, D. Callan; B. McCabe (0-1), E. McCarthy (0-1), K. McNally; C. Connolly, D. Murphy (0-8, 6 fs, 2 65s), A. Mackin. Subs - B. Corcoran for Murphy (33), G. Rellis for Connolly (47), C. Kerrigan for McNally (53), D. O'Hanrahan for Hilliard (51), G. Kerrigan for McCarthy (60). Referee - G. Devlin (Armagh). Tweet

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