Meath stroll to win

NFL DIVISION TWO Meath 1-12 Sligo 0-8:THERE WAS a first league victory for Meath under Séamus McEnaney at Páirc Tailteann as the home side strolled to a comfortable success.

The visitors went ahead in the early stages after Mark Breheny converted a free but after points from Graham Reilly and Joe Sheridan and a Brian Farrell goal, Meath always looked likely winners. The home side held a 1-7 to 0-3 interval advantage, although Sligo could have been closer.

Breheny fired a shot against the junction of the upright and crossbar before Adrian Marren pointed from the rebound and later, Eamonn O’Hara beat goalkeeper Brendan Murphy to punch to the net but a free out was awarded.

The Connacht men overdid the short passing and lacked power in attack while, in contrast, Shane McAnarney and Graham Reilly impressed in the Meath half-forward line.

Five points was as close as Sligo got in the second half, although All-Star defender Charlie Harrison showed his forwards how to score and substitute Alan Costello was on target from play and a free.

Meath comfortably held out despite having Cormac McGuinness dismissed for a second yellow card with 10 minutes remaining

MEATH: B Murphy; G O'Brien, K Reilly, C King; S Kenny, B Meade, C McGuinness; M Ward, C Gillespie; S McAnarney (0-2), S O'Rourke (0-4, two frees), G Reilly (0-2); D Morgan (0-1), J Sheridan (0-2), B Farrell (1-0). Subs: A Nestor for Farrell (61 mins), N Crawford for Ward (63 mins), T Walsh (0-1) for Morgan (64 mins), C Ward for G Reilly (69 mins), D Dalton for King (70 mins).

SLIGO: P Greene; C Harrison (0-1), C Davey, R Donovan; K Cawley, M Quinn, P McGovern; T Taylor, S Gilmartin; M Breheny (0-2, one free), E O'Hara (0-1), F Quinn; D Maye (0-1, free), A Marren (0-1), D Kelly. Subs: B Kennedy for Davey (19 mins), S Davey for Marren (half-time), A Costello (0-2, one free) for Cawley (48 mins), B Egan for Quinn (52 mins), P Hughes for Maye (60 mins).

Referee: R Hickey(Clare).