Meath supporters head for croker in optimistic mood

Meath supporters have been heading to Croke Park from early this morning for the eagerly-awaited Leinster SFC semi-final encounter against Westmeath at 2pm. 

Meath will be bidding to reach the Leinster final for a fourth successive year.

This will be the first meeting in the  championship between Meath and Westmeath since 2009 when they clashed in a qualifier tie.

They last met in the Leinster championship in 2003.

 

MEATH v WESTMEATH STATS

Last five championship clashes
2009: Meath 1-15 Westmeath 1-5 (All-Ireland qualifier Round 2)
2003: Meath 1-11 Westmeath 0-5 (Leinster quarter-final) Replay
2003: Meath 2-13 Westmeath 2-13 (Leinster quarter-final) Draw
2002: Meath 1-12 Westmeath 0-11 (Leinster quarter-final)
2001: Meath 2-10 Westmeath 0-11 (replay) (All-Ireland quarter-final)

Westmeath have two wins behind them in this year’s championship, beating Louth by 3-14 to 0-16 and Wexford by 1-21 to 0-15. Meath beat Wicklow by 2-19 to 3-12 in their only outing so far.

Westmeath are seeking their first ever senior championship win over Meath, Their best results came in 2001 when they drew with the Royals in the All-Ireland quarter-final before losing the replay and in 2003 when they also drew (Leinster quarter-final) before losing the replay.

Westmeath are bidding to reach the Leinster final for the first time since 2004, when they won their first provincial title.

Meath beat Westmeath by 4-10 to 0-11 when the sides met in an Allianz League Division 2 game in Pairc Tailteann on March 7. Westmeath led by two points at half-time but Meath won the second half by 3-7 to 0-3.

Meath beat Westmeath by 1-13 to 0-10 in the O’Byrne Cup in January.