Meath prove no match as Tyrone continue perfect record

Tyrone 1-17 Meath 1-11

Pacesetters Tyrone are set for a quick return to the top tier following their fifth successive win in Division Two at Páirc Tailteann.

The Red Hand County produced another impressive display of strong defence and clinical finishing to see off Meath’s stiff challenge.

Top scorer Ronan O'Neill opened the scoring for the visitors but Meath responded in emphatic fashion with Mickey Newman finishing to the net following a patient build-up on four minutes.

However that bright start was undone as O’Neill was gifted a goal following a dreadful misjudgment by Meath fullback Conor McGill.

Tyrone dominated for the remainder of the half with Jonathan Monroe, Niall Sludden and Matthew Donnelly all picking off fine scores.

Six points separated the teams at one stage before Meath had the last two points of the half from James McEntee and Cillian O’Sullivan, leaving it 1-10 to 1-6 at the break.

Newman reduced the deficit further within a minute of the restart from a free and converted two further efforts to leave just two points between the sides by the 43rd minute.

However that was the closest the Royals got as Tyrone without ever being fully extended found it much easier to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Sean Cavanagh and Peter Harte were both unerring from placed balls and with Mattie Donnelly and Hugh Pat McGeary also picking off the scores the outcome was rarely in doubt.

Ronan O’Neill finished with 1-4 for the winners before he left the action after picking up a knock.

Meath struggled to break down Tyrone who defended in numbers at times and their only point of the half from play came from substitute Andrew Tormey in added time.

Mickey Harte’s men finished with 13 as Conor Meyler limped out of the action after they had used their six subs and then Kieran McGeary was black carded near the end.

Tyrone: M O'Neill; C McCarron, R McNamee, A McCrory; J Monroe (0-2), N Sludden (0-1), T McCann; C Cavanagh, M Donnelly (0-2); C McCann, P Harte (0-3, three frees), R Donnelly (0-1); C McAliskey, S Cavanagh (0-3, two frees), R O'Neill (1-4, two frees). Subs: HP McGeary (0-1) for McNamee (6 mins), M Bradley for McAliskey (46 mins), P McNulty for McCann (50 mins), C Meyler for Sludden (50 mins), K McGeary for R Donnelly (54 mins), R Brennan for O'Neill (57 mins).

Meath: C McHugh; D Keogan, C McGill, M Burke; A Douglas, B Power, D Tobin; H Rooney, G Reilly; E Wallace, C O'Sullivan (0-1), P Harnan (0-1); J McEntee (0-1), M Newman (1-7, six frees, one '45), D Lenihan. Subs: C Finn for Douglas (30 mins), R O Coileain for Lenihan (half-time), C O'Brien for Tobin (44 mins), C Downey for McEntee (60 mins), B Tormay for Keogan (61 mins, blood), B O'Brien for O'Sullivan (66), A Tormey (0-1) for Reilly (black card 69 mins).

Referee: F Kelly (Longford)