Meath 6-23 Wicklow 0-5

Meath advanced to the Leinster Minor Football Championship quarter final with this 36 point win over Wicklow in Aughrim. Trevor Giles’ side made sure of victory in the last six minutes of the opening half outscoring the home side 3-3 to 0-0.

Before the throw in there was a minutes silence for the late Mick O’Brien.

Wicklow raced into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead with points from Sean Corrigan and Harry Butler. Trim’s Cormac Walsh was the next on target to open Meath’s account after six minutes. Full forward Milo Stafford had the game all square three minutes later with his first point. Captain Harry McGuirk and Walsh again put the visitors in front 0-4 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter. From there on it was all Meath.

McGuirk had a glorious chance to raise the games first green flag with ten minutes remaining but his shot crashed off the post after a stunning save. That opening goal arrived moments later when half forward Cormac McKenna finished to the net after good work from Liam O’Donoghue. Milo Stafford doubled Meath’s goal tally from the penalty spot after Tomas Dillon was fouled in the Wicklow square. 

Meath finished the half with a flourish. Walsh landed his third from a free before Conn Brennan put the Royals in control with a fine goal. Midfielder Tomas Proudfoot and Alex Keane raised white flags and just before the half time whistle Stafford was in for another goal to give Meath a commanding 4-7 to 0-3 interval lead. 

Harry McGuirk landed the games first two pointer three minutes after the restart to push the Royals further in front. Milo Stafford completed his hat trick soon after and Meath were well on their way to a quarter final spot.

Joe Keeshan kicked Wicklow opening score of the half and their first since the 14th minute as the game entered the final quarter.

Trevor Giles began to run in his bench and substitute Dara Loughran was on hand for goal number 6 with ten minutes remaining. 

McGuirk completed his hat trick of two pointers, Stafford (2), Leo Kavanagh, Brennan, Tomas Dillon and Oisin Farrelly completed the rout.

The winners play Offaly in the quarter final next Tuesday night at Faithful Fields

Meath scorers: Milo Stafford 3-3, Harry McGuirk 0-8, Cormac Walsh 0-4, Conn Brennan 1-2, Dara Loughran 1-1, Cormac McKenna 1-0, Alex Keane 0-1, Tomas Proudfoot 0-1, Leo Kavanagh 0-1, Tomas Dillon 0-1, Oisin Farrelly 0-1

Referee Ryan Moran Kildare

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