U-20s give co

MEATH’S footballing fortunes, which are badly in need of a boost, received something of a tonic as the Under 20s continued their unbeaten run in the Leinster campaign, clinching a semi-final spot as group winners at Pairc Tailteann last Saturday.

However, Brian Farrell’s side left themselves with plenty of room for improvement as they await their last-four opponents.

The O’Moore County, on the back of a narrow defeat to Kildare and a slim victory over Wicklow, needed a clear-cut win to entertain hopes of progressing and for spells, especially in the second half, they held the upper hand over the home side.

They had opportunities to halt Meath’s unbeaten run but were unable to capitalise on the goal chances that came their way and it was midfielder Ethan Devine who proved the match-winner for the home side with two excellently taken goals in the second half.

Afterwards, Meath boss Farrell (pictured right) expressed himself happy with the manner in which his players applied themselves to the task.

‘The hard work the players were

Meath Laois 2-13 0-13

prepared to put in stuck out a mile. The lads were willing to put their bodies on the line. They knew if they won today they were getting into the knockout phases of this championship,’ the former county senior said.

‘Conditions out there were very difficult. We were facing a very strong breeze in the second half, but the lads really applied themselves. Midway through the second half we just couldn’t get control of our own kickouts, but we chipped away at it and got the scores against the run of play.

‘The way football is gone, you have to have your defensive game and you have to have your attacking game, players have to be able to inter-change.

‘You are working all the time in trying to reduce errors, give quality passing, trying to keep it out wide. The lads are young, so can can go back into old habits, but I’d be pleased with the quality of our passing there today, it was definitely good in tough conditions.’

Meath had a scare within 90 seconds of the start when Laois wing back Sean O’Flynn raced through, but with a goal chance on he blazed wide of the target.

Peter Kealy opened the midlanders’ account in response to a Darragh Campion point and Evan Lowry had the sides level again when he replied to a Jason Scully effort on six minutes.

That opening half proved something of a slow burner, with Meath squandering numerous chances and hitting six wides in the first quarter. A brace of pointed frees from Conor Moriarty left them 0-5 to 0-2 clear and that lead increased when corner forward James Conlon split the posts on 21 minutes.

Scores from Lowry and Alan Kinsella kept Laois in touch, but it was the hosts who led by double scores, 0-10 to 0-5, at the break.

Meath’s prospects were boosted further within two minutes of the restart when, almost out of nothing, Devine broke through for their opening goal. A pointed free from Conor Moriarty strengthened the Royals’ grip on proceedings,