Meath red hot in frosty Ratoath

Meath recorded an impressive 2-15 to 0-2 Hastings Cup third round victory against Wicklow in the u-21 competition tonight at Ratoath.

The platform for the substantial winning margin was established in the opening half when Meath scored 1-12 and gave up only a solitary point as they dominated from the time referee Ciaran Flynn threw in the ball.

Trailing by 0-1 to 1-12 at the interval, Wicklow gave boss Johnny Magee some signs for optimism with a much-improved second-half performance although they only managed one more point soon after the resumption and also had a player red-carded in the 40th minute.

For Meath boss Barry Callaghan there is the advantage of another outing next weekend, but the opposition will be determined by other results tomorrow in the various group games and also on the outcome of the Leitrim v Offaly game.

The important aspect is another competitive outing as preparations continue for a midweek February showdown in the Leinster u-21 FC against Westmeath under the lights at St Loman's.

And a selection headache is a task that the manager and his sideline team will have to tackle - they certainly saw plenty of positive signs tonight to build on the performance against Leitrim at Dunganny last Saturday.

Conor Moriarty scored a goal in each half for Meath and he also managed a point.

Fionn Reilly (four), David McLoughlin and Sean Meade (three each), Sean Reilly (two), David McEntee and Daire Campion completed the points taly for Meath.

Meath - Jonathan Lynch (Moynalty); James Reilly (Gaeil Colmcille), Robin Clarke (Duleek/Bellewstown), Eoin Green (Skryne); James Mooney (Meath Hill), Brían Conlon (Simonstown Gaels), Sean Reilly (Moylagh 0-2); Daniel O'Neill (Wolfe Tones), Sean Noonan (Seneschalstown); Cathal McConnell (Bective), Daire Campion (Skryne 0-1), Sean Meade (Nobber 0-3); Fionn Reilly (Gaeil Colmcille 0-4), David McLoughlin (Moynalvey 0-3), Conor Moriarty (Curraha 2-1).
Subs - Jordan McLoughlin (Dunboyne) for Mooney and David McEntee (Dunboyne 0-1) for Meade both half-time; Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch (Wolfe Tones) for S Reilly, Jack Giles (Donaghmore / Ashbourne) for O'Neill, Padraig Diamond (Wolfe Tones) for J Reilly all 48 mins, Dylan Brady (Donaghmore / Ashbourne) for F Reilly and Jason Scully (Oldcastle) for McConnell both 53m ; Brian McGrath (Simonstown Gaels) for Clarke 57m, Cian O'Reilly (Carnaross) for Noonan 58m.
Referee - Ciaran Flynn