Meath 1-15 Kildare 0-13:THERE WAS little more than pride at stake in the all-Leinster clash at Páirc Tailteann but, boosted by a Brian Farrell goal, Meath forged ahead for a flattering five-point success.

The teams had been on equal terms eight times and Kildare held a slender 0-8 to 0-7 interval lead.

Points from Graham Reilly and Barry Regan edged Meath ahead by 0-9 to 0-8 but the home side had some nervous moments at the other end as gaps were exposed in the centre of their defence.

Midfielder Daryl Flynn fired over the bar as did Ronan Sweeney a few minutes later. In between the crossbar came to the home side’s rescue after a shot by Alan Smith beat David Lyons.

Kildare looked set to prevail when two Doyle scores left them leading by 0-13 to 0-11. But they could only add one point after that as Meath finished with a flourish to tag on 1-4.

MEATH: D Lyons; S McAnarney, J Macken, E Harrington; G Reilly (0-2), A Moyles, G O’Brien; M Ward, S Gillespie; S Kenny, J Sheridan (0-4), N Mooney (0-1); S Bray, J Queeney (0-3, one free, one 45), S O’Rourke (0-2). Subs: B Regan (0-1) for Ward (ht), P Byrne for Mooney, B Farrell (1-2, two frees) for Queeney (both 51 mins), C King for O’Brien (58 mins), M Burke for Moyles (66 mins).

KILDARE: P Flood; G White, H McGrillen (0-1), E Bolton; K Cribbin, B Flanagan, M O’Flaherty; D Flynn (0-1), D Whyte; J Kavanagh, A Rainbow, R Sweeney (0-3); A Smith, E Callaghan, J Doyle (0-8, five frees). Subs: P Kelly for Flanagan (19 mins), K Donnelly for Rainbow (60 mins), P O’Neill for Callaghan (62 mins).

Referee: E Kinsella (Laois).