Meath show strength in depth

Although they started without several regulars, a physically-stronger Meath side still prove too good for disappointing Longford in the O'Byrne Cup quarter-final played in wet conditions at the Dromard Grounds yesterday.

A week earlier at the same venue, Longford hammered a second-string Laois outfit but they were without injured forwards Paul Barden and Miles Sheridan on this occasion and were always struggling against a sharper side who were good value for their 0-6 to 0-1 lead at the break.

Their first-half scores came from Adrian Kenny (2), Brian Farrell (2), and frees converted by Ray McGee and Niall Kelly.

Longford were particularly poor in attack and kicked a few costly wides in the early stages of the second half. They failed to register a score from play until the 58th minute and that point came from substitute defender Martin Mulleady. Another point from Mulleady soon after was followed by a Paddy Dowd free that narrowed the gap to three points, 0-8 to 0-5.

However, Meath then stepped up another gear to dominate the closing stages and tacked on a further five points through Sheridan (frees) and substitute Brian Dillon fired over a brace apiece.

Meath will meet Offaly in the semi-final next Sunday and a meeting with neighbours Westmeath in the final is now on the cards.

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; B Sheridan, C Conefrey, S Carroll; A O'Connor, D Ledwith, S Lynch; L Keenan, F Coyle; P Ross (0-1), D Blessington, D Barden; J Martin, P Davis (0-2, 45 and free), T Smullen. Subs: P Dowd (0-1, free) for Barden (half-time); T Nolan for Martin (half-time); M Mulleady (0-2) for Ledwith (41 mins); B Burke for Carroll (52 mins); A Dalton for Davis (59 mins).

MEATH: D Gallagher; M O'Reilly, A Moyles, D Curtis; S McGabhann, T O'Connor, S Kenny; N Crawford, S McKeigue; R McGee (0-1, free), A Kenny (0-3), N Kelly (0-1, free); B Farrell (0-2), J Cullinan, J Sheridan (0-3, all frees). Subs: P Reynolds for McGabhann (50 mins); D Byrne for Cullinan (50 mins); E Kelly (0-1) for McKeigue (57 mins); B Dillon (0-2) for McGee (57 mins); C Murphy for S Kenny (69 mins).

Referee: G McKinney (Louth).