James Andrews' charges opened their Leinster League account with an away win to Laios at the Laois GAA Centre of Excellence. Conditions were warm, overcast with a slight breeze.

Mark Leavy had the Royals 3 up in the opening minutes with well taken frees. Laois responded with a point from play and followed up with a 65 from their full forward. Conor Murphy popped over a point from play following a perfect pass from the backs down the wing. Fearghal Flynn got into the scoring with a long shot from midfield. The backs were in inspired form, keeping the ball out of the danger area. The full backline of Smyth, McHale and McNally gave no space to the Laois forwards, batting, blocking, and hooking. Laois hit 2 frees and a point from play. Mark Leavy kept the Royals in front with 2 frees and a fantastic point from play. Laois took the final 2 points with a free and 1 from play, leaving the Meath hurlers a point in front at the break. Laois would rue 9 wides to Meath's more efficient 3.

Finn Conroy opened the 2nd half with a great score from 50 metres on the run. Meath were winning plenty of the battles in the middle, with the backs and forwards making selfless runs to support the midfielders. Kavanagh, Kelleher, and Moran covered the pitch supporting the backs and providing ball to the forwards. Meath were awarded a penalty following a fantastic run from Condon down the centre which resulted in a cynical pull down. Mark Leavy made no mistake with the penalty. Leavy followed up with a free over the bar before Laois scored a point from a 65, awarded after a fine save from Cam Smyth, supported by his backs. Leavy then popped over a free from his own half. Laois scored a nice point from the wing. Laois changed tact as the match was entering the last 10 minutes, by hitting in long ball into the square. Cam Smyth had been solid in goals throughout the match, was caught out by a high ball that sneaked into the top corner. Sean Howley replaced Rian Fay, who had left nothing on the pitch, to freshen up the attack. Laois had used all their substitutions by this point. As Laois searched for goals, Meath forwards were finding more space, leading to 3 well taken points from Fearghal Flynn, Finn Conroy and Michael Heffernan. The boys seen out the final minutes for a 6-point win.

Meath: Camron Smyth, Darragh Smyth, Fionn McHale, Conor McNally, Jamie Kavanagh, Eoin Kelleher, Pat Moran, Mark Leavy (1-09)1 pen 8 free, Fearghal Flynn (0-03), Conor Murphy (0-01), Rian Fay, 12. Daniel Murray, Michael Heffernan (O-01) Tom Condon, Finn Conroy (0-02)

Subs: Darren OHiggins, Tom Ryan, Sean Howley (on for 11. 50mins) Luke OHalloran.

Backroom: James Andrews, James Ryan, Sean Heavey, Will Anderson, Stephen Smyth.

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