Royal County reign in a one-sided affair

A POWERFUL Meath surge in the 10-minute period before half time laid the foundations for a comfortable win over this Laois side in the opening round of the O’Byrne Cup in Portlaoise.

The opening stages of the game were played in a heavy downpour and after 23 minutes the sides were level at two points apiece. But the rain stopped at that point and the Royal County took over.

They outscored Laois by 2-6 to a point in the time that remained and built up an impressive 11-point lead at half time.

Gary Walsh kicked the first point of the 2019 campaign after three minutes and although Mickey Newman and James Conlon replied for Meath, a Brian Daly score on the run had Laois level.

But it went downhill from there for the home side as Meath got a run on Laois. They reeled off four points in a row and then almost had a goal when Adam Flanagan got in but Scott Osbourne denied him.

However, that goal did eventually come when corner back Ronan Ryan started and finished a counter attack which pushed Meath on.

And a minute later the ball was in Laois’s net again when Daniel Quinn got on the end of a move and although Osbourne saved his initial attempt, he scored the rebound.

Two Mickey Newman frees gave Meath a 2-8 to 0-3 lead at half time.