Meath get minor campaign off to winning start

Meath had to survive a late mini-revival by Laois before clinching a deserved 1-17 to 2-8 victory over Laois in the Leinster MFC at a sunny Pairc Tailteann this afternoon. 

With 44 minutes on the clock the young Royals led by 1-14 to 0-6 and were cruising but Laois hit two late goals from Colm Murphy and Sean Moore to put a better reflection on the scoreboard from their perspective. 

Over the course of the afternoon, however, Meath were much the better side. They put together a series of power-packed attacking moves and steadily added to their account. 

Despite playing against a stiff breeze Meath led 1-9 to 0-3 at the interval with their goal netted on 27 minutes when Ross Ryan finished off a fine move with a shot that was helped to the net by a Laois player who was trying to execute a block. 

For most of the game Meath controlled affairs with the highly impressive Conor Nash and Ronan Jones mopping up ball around midfield. 

And Laois's hopes were further dented when Aaron Dowling received a second yellow card with 51 minutes played although his dismissal seemed to spark his team to greater efforts. 

Captain Thomas O'Reilly was Meath's chief scorer with 0-8, six from frees. Clann na nGael's Eamon O Donnchada finished with three points including one superb effort from an awkward angle. 

Laois only mustered three points from play as Meath defended stoutly and attacked with intent.