Meath 0-8 Westmeath 1-3

Meath set up a Leinster Under 20 Football Championship semi final date with Dublin next Tuesday after this two point win over Westmeath in less than ideal conditions at Ashbourne. PHOTOS

Playing against the wind John McCarthy’s charges put in a serious shift in the opening half scoring three crucial points and holding Westmeath scoreless.

The impressive Ciaran Caulfield, back from a hamstring injury, got the scoreboard working and minutes later doubled Meath's tally. Conor Frayne got his first score of the game after 17 minutes and amazingly that was the last score of the opening half as Meath went to the dressing rooms 0-3 to 0-0 in front.

Frayne got the first score of the second half from a free after seven minutes and by the 15th minute Meath were 0-7 to 0-0 in front thanks to another from caulfield and a Frayne brace.

Westmeath finally opened their account on the 16th minute when Senan Kaker pointed and soon after half back Jack Geoghegan raised another white flag for Tom Stuart Trainor's side.

Shaun Leonard and Dylan Murtagh exchanged points to leave five in it as the game entered the closing stages.

Meath had to endure a nervy last five minutes when Westmeath hit the crossbar and Baker scored a goal from the penalty spot with the last play of the game.

Meath's reward is a semi final against Dublin next Tuesday at Pairc Tailteann. The winners will play Kildare or Laois in the provincial final.

Meath: Billy Hogan, Brian O’Halloran, Liam Kelly, Conor Ennis, Brian O’Reilly, John O’Regan, John Finnerty, Jack Kinlough, Conor Gray, Ciaran Caulfield 0-3, Eoghan Frayne 0-4, Liam Stafford, Alan Bowden, Oisin Keogh, Shaun Leonard 0-1. Subs – Killian Smyth, Con Smith, Ben Moran, Aaron Murphy

Westmeath: Michael Lynam, Cian Lee, Sam Smyth, Liam Daly, Daniel Scahill, Tom Kelleher, Jack Geoghegan 0-1, Dylan Murtagh 0-1, Ben Killian, Podge Quinn, Danny McCartan, Daragh Lowry, Brian Cooney, Shane Hanley, Senan Baker 1-1. Subs - Tadhg Baker, Shane Corcoran, Adam Keane, Charlie Kennedy

Referee Darragh Byrne

 

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