Meath progress

Meath - 2-7 Laois - 1-8Meath moved unimpressively into the Leinster final after a poor game with Laois at Mullingar on Saturday.

A dull, low-scoring first half was slightly improved upon after the break as Meath moved into the lead with points from Joe Melia and Paul Murray.

However, Laois began to dominate and Chris Bergin stepped up to claim two points. However, though they were playing the better football, Laois were finding it difficult to register scores

David Murtagh scored a goal for Meath in the 18th minute of the second half. And, two minutes later, the game was over as Murtagh claimed his second.

Colm Kelly scored a consolation goal for Laois.

MEATH: M Brennan; C King, B O'Reilly, D O'Halloran; R Brennan, T O'Connor, E Dunne; J Melia (0-2), P Murray (0-1); T Farrelly (0-1), F Murphy, B Regan; D Murtagh (2-0), J Sheridan, B Farrell (0-3).

LAOIS: C O'Gorman; C Begley, C Ryan, P Dunne; B Mulligan, T Browne, P McMahon; D Donohue, S Norton; P McNulty, C Kelly (St Joseph's, 0-1), S Conlon; B Fitzgerald, C Bergin (0-6), C Kelly (Stradbally, 1-1). Subs: C Rogers for C Kelly (Stradbally); D Brennan for B Fitzgerald; C Brennan for P McNulty.

Referee: P O'Toole (Longford)