Laois 2-18 Meath 2-13

Laois advanced to the quarter final while Meath bowed out of this years Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship after this Phase 2 round 3 clash played at Lomans Park Trim.

The visitors made a great start and were four points up inside the opening eight minutes with fine efforts from Cormac Byrne (2), captain Eoghan Murphy and Conor Mortimer.

Louis McIvor kept Meath in the game with four points from placed balls. Laois were 0-8 to 0-6 in front before the games first goal arrived courtesy of Laois half back Patrick O’Callaghan. With five minutes remaining Joey Christie threw Meath a lifeline with their first major but almost immediately Byrne was in at the other end to raise his teams second green flag and take a deserved 2-10 to 1-8 lead to the dressing room.

Early second half scores from Justin Duggan, Byrne and Murphy extended that lead as Laois threatened to take over. Half back Fergal Flynn kept the Royals in it with a goal after great work by Patrick Jordan. McIvor (2) and Christie tagged on points and a resurgent Meath were only two in arrears, 2-14 to 2-12 with five minutes remaining.

Laois were not to be denied and found an extra gear. Byrne (2), Conor Headen and Duggan raised white flags to end any hopes of Meath completing their comeback and advance to the knockout stages.

The winners take on Wexford in the quarter final while Meath bow out after a very good extended campaign.

Laois: Dion O’Connor; Conor Mortimer 0-1, Evan Cassin, Donnchadh Carroll; Donal Deegan, Eoghan Murphy 0-3, Hugh Whelan 0-1; Jack Kennedy 0-1, Ruaidhri Kavanagh 0-2; Patrick O’Callaghan 1-0, Ross Deegan, Tony Mahony; Cormac Byrne 1-6, Justin Duggan 0-3, Eoin Delaney. Subs: Stephen O’Donnell , Charlie Hand , Conor Headen 0-1, Dan Whelan, Ruaidhri Kavanagh

Meath: Paddy Casey; Brian Stagg, Adam O’Donoghue, Alex Fox; Anthony Healy, Jack McKeown, Fergal Flynn 1-0; Finn Conroy 0-1, Joey Christie 1-1; Louis McIvor 0-10, Mark Leavy, Cathal Barron; Darren O’Higgins 0-1, Kyle Ennis, Patrick Jordan. Subs: Rian Fay, Callum Buckley, Edward Dunne.

Referee: Kevin McDonnell (Dublin)

 

Tweet

Most Read Stories