Royals make hay against hapless Laois

MEATH will contest their first Leinster MFC decider since 2012 following this runaway semi-final success at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, on Saturday.

However, they will have to wait a little longer than expected for that final after Wicklow and Kildare couldn’t be separated after extra time in the other last-four tie. The counties will replay this Saturday, with the final expected to be scheduled for the following weekend.

This game was over as a contest before half-time after the Royals had rattled in three early goals. Rumours surfaced before the throw-in that the hosts had dropped seven from their panel in mid-week for disciplinary reasons and those rumours seemed well-founded as the midlanders were out of their depth for most of the hour.

A trend was set within 40 seconds of the start when Laois corner back and captain Sean O’Neill failed to hold a harmless delivery and Luke Kelly pounced to fire to the net. That glorious start for Joe Treanor’s side was strengthened by points from Luke Mitchell (free) and Bryan McCormack.

Laois replied with the first of only two points in the opening half from a Ross Bolger free and by half-time Meath were ahead 3-9 to 0-2 and out of sight.

Despite Laois’ shortcomings there was much to admire about the Meath display, particularly in the opening half when they closed out the game.

Towering midfield Cian McBride enhanced his growing reputation by producing an exhibition of high fielding as his side ruled the roost throughout the opening half.

Meath Laois 5-18 0-8

Meath strung together some flowing moves and by the 23rd minute their entire forward division had contributed to the scoring. Wing backs Conor Farrelly and Sean Coffey also made some telling surges into their opponents’ territory.

Meath’s second goal arrived when Kelly again netted after a Matthew Costello effort had rebounded off the woodwork on 11 minutes. Earlier, McBride burst through the Laois cover but dragged his shot wide of the target with only the keeper to beat.

Though they squandered a number of opportunities, the accuracy of Luke Mitchell from frees widened the gap before Bryan McCormack produced a great finish after wing back Coffey created the opening on 25 minutes.

Laois’ only other score of the half arrived on the stroke of halftime from an Oisin Byrne free.

The hosts made three changes at the start of the second half and they improved considerably and were unfortunate not to be rewarded with a couple of goals.

Credit for keeping a clean sheet must go to Meath keeper Sean Brennan who brought off a number of fine saves in the second half. The grandson of 1967 All-Ireland winner Tony saved from Damon Larkin within 90 seconds of the restart and kept out another effort from the Laois sub on 40 minutes. He also denied Mark O’Connell a goal and when he was eventually beaten Rathkenny’s James O’Hare was perfectly placed to boot the ball off the goal-line.

Laois doubled their openingtally within seven minutes of the restart, their first point from play coming from corner back Sean Greene on 34 minutes.

With David Bell and Mitchell both scoring a brace of points, Meath stretched their lead further in the third quarter. Bell, who had a relatively quiet opening half, continued his scoring exploits with his side’s fourth goal on 48 minutes.

He struck again for his second goal shortly afterwards, fisting over the head of the advancing keeper.

That left it 5-14 to 0-7 and Costello and subs Brian O’Hanlon and Colin Hawdon added to the Meath tally before the finish. MEATH: Sean Brennan (Dunderry), James O’Hare (Rathkenny), Harry O’Higgins (Drumbaragh), Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown); Conor Farrelly 0-1 (Walterstown), Conor Harford (St Vincent’s), Sean Coffey (Ballinabrackey); Adam Reilly (Moynalty), Cian McBride (St Ultan’s); Darragh Swaine 0-1 (Clann na nGael), Matthew Costello 0-2, 1 ’45 (Dunshaughlin), Bryan McCormack 1-1 (Moynalty); David Bell 2-3 (St Colmcille’s), Luke Kelly 2-1 (Na Fianna), Luke Mitchell 0-6fs (Dunshaughlin). Subs: Oisin McCloskey (Na Fianna) for Hickey (44), Brian O’Hanlon 0-2 (O’Mahonys) for Kelly (46), Colin Hawdon 0-1 (Oldcastle) for Swaine (50), Adam Treanor (Walterstown) for McCormack, Luke Newe (Ratoath) for O’Higgins (both 57), Killian Price (Castletown) for Harford (60).

LAOIS: Oisin Keogh; Sean Greene 0-1, Michael Bennett, Sean O’Neill; Niall Carey, Cathal Bennett, Ciaran Byrne; Ben Conroy, Sean Michael Corcoran; Daragh Galvin, Rioghan Murphy, Conor Goode 0-1; Oisin Byrne 0-1f, Ross Bolger 0-1f, Mark O’Connell. Subs: Cathal Doyle for Galvin, Damon Larkin 0-1 for O Byrne, Josh Lacey 0-2 (1f) for Bolger (all h-t), Ciaran Burke for Corcoran (46), Eamonn Delaney 0-1 ’45, for Carey (47), Seth Burns for M Bennett (54).

REF:

D Sheppard (Dublin)