Leinster MFC title for Meath

Meath won the Leinster MFC final today with a 1-15 to 1-7 victory over Kildare at O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

Wind-assisted Meath enjoyed a good oepning half and reeled off the points on the way to an impressive 0-11 to 0-3 interval lead.

There was plenty to admire about the Meath performance although a number of score attempts dropped short into the hands of Kildare goalkeeper John Basll.

Five Luke Mitchell points (two frees), two from David Bell and one each by Luke Kelly, Bryan McCormack, Matthew Costello and Darragh Swaine marked a productive return from the starting six forwards.

Kildare laboured for scores and only managed one points from play, an Alex Beirne effort in the 17th minute. They also sent over one free apiece from Sam Morrissey and Jack Smyth in the opening quarter during which a speculative Smyth effort hit the post and was cleared.

Meath resumed smartly and Mitchell sent over three second-half points (one free) while McCormack finished a good move to the net after Costello provided the final pass

Kildare managed a pointed Smyth free during that third-quarter as they continued to struggle to make any sort of an impact on the scoreboard.

The final quarter was played at a pedestrian pace with Muiris Curtin and Marcus Kiely and Padraig Behan adding to the KIldare tally while Costello completed Meath's tally.

Kildare claimed a goal in added time when Marcus Kiely finished to the net.

Meath will play Derry in the Athletic Grounds, Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-final next Saturday at 3pm.