Queeney shines in Donnycarney

Leinster Under-21 FC/ Meath 2-9 Dublin 1-8:Meath's mixture of graft and craft prevailed in the opening round of the Cadbury-sponsored Leinster under-21 football championship at Parnell Park on Saturday in the splendid sunshine and before some 2,000 spectators.

They played the crisper football and had a fine goalkeeper, Michael Ahern, who made critical first-half saves from Paul Brogan and Kevin McMenamin.

They also possessed a two-goal hero in impressive full forward Jamie Queeney.

He struck first in the sixth minute, and his second goal, on the half-hour, was a golden nugget.

It also helped the Royals lead at the break, 2-5 to 1-5.

Time and again, Dublin's dash was halted by fine defending. Only once in the hour did Meath trail, and that was after Blaine Kelly's neat goal on 23 minutes.

But, overall, the Blues just couldn't match the zest of Dudley Farrell's side who were flavoured with more than a spoonful of senior intercounty experience.

Dublin worked hard on the restart, but Meath's admirable fielding, clever distribution and speed around the pitch always had them in poll position.

Four important second-half points from Cian Ward, Cathal O'Dwyer (two) and Queeney decorated some stylish football.

Just before the end, Dublin almost produced a goal from a scramble that would have left just a point in it, but Ahern and Stephen Sheppard combined to protect the lead and guarantee a Navan meeting with Kildare.

Dublin finished with 14 players when Diarmuid Connolly picked up a second yellow card on the last bell.

MEATH: M Ahern; C O'Connor, R Hatton, S Sheppard; P Howard, C McGuinness, T Skelly; K O'Reilly, B Meade; A Nestor, P Smith, R Maguire (0-1); C O'Dwyer (0-3), J Queeney (2-1), C Ward (0-4, one 45, one free). Subs:G Gallagher for Meade (46 mins), C Kelly for Nestor (57 mins), K Mulvaney for Maguire (60 mins).

DUBLIN: M Savage; K Nolan, W Lowry, I Kavanagh; D Daly, L Fleming, C Guckian; P Flynn, S Ryan; J O'Brien (0-2, frees), P Brogan, D Connolly (0-3, one free, one 45); B Kelly (1-1), T Brady, K McMenamin (0-1). Subs: R Cleere for Ryan inj (23 mins), D Reilly for McMenamin, P Andrews (0-1)for Brogan (both 41 mins), A Hubbard for Lowry (54 mins), E Moran for O'Brien (59 mins).

Referee: E Craul(Wicklow).