New-look Royals meet strong Laois challenge
MEATH LAOIS 2-17 1-14
MEATH footballers continued their build-up to the start of the Leinster SFC campaign with a six-point win in a challenge at Graiguecullen in mid-week.
Both Meath goals came in the opening half from Cillian O’Sullivan and Cian O’Brien as the Royals led 2-9 to 0-6 at the break.
Laois used 29 players in all as they continued their preparations for their first championship outing against Wexford.
Following the withdrawals of Harry Rooney and Simonstown trio Sean Tobin, Padraig McKeever and Brian Conlon from the panel, Meath had a number of newcomers - including Dunboyne’s Gavin McCoy, O’Mahony’s Dylan Regan and Luke Martyn from Dunderry, while Ratoath’s Cian O’Brien made a return following a lengthy injury.
Andy McEntee’s side take on Colin Kelly’s Westmeath in the rearranged O’Byrne Cup Final at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday week.
MEATH: David Gallagher; Conor Dempsey, Conor McGill, Seamus Lavin; Mickey Burke, Donal Keogan, Shane McEntee 0-1; Bryan Menton 0-4, Paddy Kennelly; Cian O’Brien 1-0, Cillian O’Sullivan 1-4, Liam Ferguson; Bryan McMahon 0-1, Luke Martyn, Donal Lenihan 0-6. Subs: Andrew Colgan, Gavin McCoy, Sean Curran 0-1, Dylan Regan, Luke Moran.
LAOIS: Eoin Keogh; David Holland, Mark Timmons, Gareth Dillon; Trevor Collins, Darren Strong, Finbarr Crowley; John O’Loughlin, Kieran Lillis; Niall Donoher 0-1, Benny Carroll 0-1, Jamie Farrell 0-1; Ross Munnelly 0-1, Gary Walsh 0-2, Donie Kingston 1-2. Subs: Ruaidhri Fennell for Dillon, Graham Brody for Keogh, Denis Booth for Timmons, Shane Nerney for Collins, Stephen Attride 0-1 for Crowley, Rory Bracken for Lillis, Evan O’Carroll for O’Loughlin, Damien O’Connor for Farrell, David Conway (0-3) for Munnelly (all halftime), Tom Shiel for Walsh, Paul Cahillane 0-1 for Carroll, Eoin Buggie for Holland, Michael Keogh 0-1 for Donoher and Chris Finn for Strong (45).