Leinster JFC: Meath collected their third Leinster junior hurling title in succession when repeating the final success over Longford of 12 months ago in a one-sided clash at Navan's Páirc Tailteann last evening.
Considering Longford ran Meath to two points in last year's decider, a close encounter was expected but three goals from corner-forward Robert Flanagan in the first half put the home side well on the way to victory.
Longford netted their first goal just on half-time, when, after a free by Eoin Donnellan was blocked, substitute Brian Stakem finished to the net to leave the scores 3-6 to 1-3. Whatever hopes Longford had of staging a comeback were dashed when David Kirby netted Meath's fourth goal immediately after the restart.
Longford depended too much for scores on Donnellan, who landed four frees and a 65.
MEATH: T Donohue; S Duignan, E Clancy, B Flynn; C Doyle, D Troy, J P Ryan; P Donnelly (0-1), D Geraghty (0-1); M Scanlon (0-2), J Melia (0-1), S Moran (0-1); D Kirby (1-3), P Tobin (0-4), R Flanagan (3-1). Subs: P Kirwan for Ryan; L Newman for Moran; B Doherty for Kirby; D Kirwan for Melia.
LONGFORD: N Casey; E Corcoran, T Stakem, F Daly; S Browne, Brendan Stakem, E Donnellan (0-5); G Ghee (0-1), M Coyle; S Lynam, G Dooley (1-1); J McDermott;, J Minnock, E Daly, H O'Kane. Subs: Brian Stakem (1-0) for Daly, C Bracken for O'Kane, G Gobl for Lynam.
Referee: D Connolly (Kilkenny).
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