Meath ........1-17
Longford .... 2-10

Meath are through to the last eight of the Electric Ireland Leinster MFC following a decisive win over Longford at Pairc Tailteann on Wednesday night.

The result was more clearcut than the scoreline suggests as Longford second goal arrived in the fourth minute of stoppage time at the end of the game.

Playing into the town goal, Meath moved ten points clear on two occasions in the second-half and led by 1-14 to 0-7 after 48 minutes.

With team captain James McEntee pulling the strings from centre-half-forward, Meath were never in arrears on this occasion.

Syddan's Daire Rowe took the scoring plaudits with eight points (six frees) while Donaghmore-Ashbourne's Daragh McGovern was the winners' main marksman from play with 1-2.

Ratoath's Joey Wallace was particularly impressive in the first 30 minutes during which time he posted three points from play. He was also denied an early goal by Longford 'keeper Shane Fitzpatrick.

The Longford rearguard was particularly vigilant during the opening half denying Meath further goal chances. McGovern netted in the 22nd minute with McEntee providing the assist to leave it 1-6 to 0-3.

Andy McEntee's charges had four points on the board before Martin Cassidy opened Longford account from a 13th minute free.

The midlanders first point from play arrived in the 22nd minute with Rian Brady registering to leave his side trailing 0-3 to 0-6.

McGovern's goal and two pointed Rowe frees moved Meath 1-8 to 0-4 clear by half-time.

Brady (free) pulled a point back for Longford with a minute of the resumption. As the boys in blue passed up a few point-scoring opportunities, Meath began to put some distance between the side.

McGovern's brace of points were notable for the manner of their execution. Longford pulled a goal back through Aidan McElligott before Adrian Duffy sent over to leave just five points in it.

Points from wing back Niall Kane and McEntee improved matters for Meath. McElligott and Matty Gorman went close to goaling for Longford before McGivney netted.

Meath are through the provinical quarter-finals while this defeat marks the end of road for Longford, who lost to Laois first time out.

Scorers: Meath - D Rowe 0-8 (6fs); D McGovern 1-2; J Wallace 0-3; J McEntee 0-2; N Kane, R O'Grady 0-1 each.

Longford - D McGivney 1-2 (0-1f); R Brady 0-3 (2fs); M Cassidy 0-2 (fs); A Duffy, P Kiernan, L Sullivan 0-1 each.

Meath - A Markey; T McGovern, C Bird, S Lavin; N Kane, R O Coileain, K Traynor; R O'Grady, K McCabe; D McGovern, J McEntee, D Toner; D Rowe, N Lyons, J Wallace. Subs - E McGovern for Bird 21, K Ryan for Lyons 54, S Monaghan for O'Grady 57, S Byrne for McGovern 60, S McGrath for Toner 60.

Longford - S Fitzpatrick; D Reynolds, A Farrell, S Rogers; A Duffy, J Earley, D Bennett; D McGivney, A McElligott; L Sullivan, P. Tiernan, M Gorman; M Cassidy, L Moran, R Brady. Subs - R Sweeney for Farrell 15, S Kenny for Earley 17, N Rabbitte for Cassidy ht, E Sorohan for Sweeney 48, D Gilna for Rogers 48.

Referee - B Tiernan (Dublin) Tweet

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