Meath 3-13 Louth 1-7:Meath recovered from the concession of a first-minute goal to turn in a dominant display and record an emphatic victory over Louth at Pairc Tailteann last night.

The visitors got away to a dream start with Paddy Reilly firing to the net in the opening minute following a delivery from Martin Breen. However, Meath recovered from that early blow to lead by 1-6 to 1-3 at the half-time break.

Daniel Queeney netted their goal after eight minutes as well as contributing three points in the first half.

The Royals’ interval advantage could have been more but for Eamonn Wallace firing a shot against the just before the interval.

It was mainly one-way traffic in the second period with further goals from Queeney and Bryan McMahon emphasising Meath’s superiority.

MEATH:C McHugh; S Carty, D McQuillan, C Finn; B Dillon, B Moore, N Shortall; C Sheridan, C O'Brien (0-1); S Barry, C Downey (0-3), D Queeney (2-4, two frees); E Wallace (0-1), B O'Brien (0-1), B McMahon (1-3, 0-2 free). Subs: A Forde for Finn (45 mins), M Devine for B O'Brien (54 mins), F Toolan for Barry, H Rooney for Sheridan (both 55 mins), C Devereaux for Dillon (56 mins). LOUTH: K Brennan; C Ward, D Campbell, K Toner; M McKeown, A Williams, S McMahon; R Brodigan, M Breen; D McMahon, C McKeever, M Rafferty; K Hearty, P Reilly (1-1), C Byrne (0-5, 3 frees). Subs: A English for Toner (25 mins), S Donnelly for McMahon (27 mins), G Traynor (0-1) for Ward (35 mins), C Deane for D McMahon (50 mins), A Quigley for Breen (56 mins). Referee: D Maher (Westmeath).