Second-quarter goals from Liam Stafford and Alan Bowden boosted Meath to a decisive win over Laois at Pairc Tailteann early on Saturday afternoon. To view photos CLICK HERE

Meath ...... 2-10

Laois ....... 1-7

Following an evenly contested first-quarter after which the side were tied at 0-5-each at the water break, John McCarthy's side kicked-on to clinch a Leinster final meeting with Offaly.

Eoghan Frayne put sub Liam Stafford through for the opening goal in the 22nd minute with Meath playing into the strong blustery wind blowing from the old swimming pool end.

That left Meath leading 1-5 to 0-5 and there they remained in front to the end. Frayne and Caulfield were the standout players in the previous outings. This time Alan Bowden was the pick of the forwards while Sean Emmanuel's work rate was central to his strong showing at midfield.

Apart providing the assist for Meath's opening goal, Frayne posted four points (three frees). He was wide with a few more efforts on goal.

Meanwhile, Liam Kelly was prominent at tull-back and had the wherewithal to push forward when required.

A number of referee Eamonn O'Connor's decision baffled the home contingent but Meath had the discipline not to be unduly distracted by them.

Meath's second goal arrived in the 28th minute following a forward push by Kelly - who had a claim for a penalty dismissed - before Bowden netted.

That left six points in it. An exchange of pointed frees from Frayne and Colin Dunne left it 2-6 to 0-6 at half-time.

Despite the advantage of an increasingly strong wind, Meath only added four second-half points, including two from Bowden to leave it 2-9 to 0-7 after 36 minutes.

Meath who finished very impressively against Dublin and Westmeath managed just one point (a Frayne free) for the remainder of the game.

Laois got two scores in that time with Oisin Hooney placing sub Kieran O'Donnell for a goal just before the water break to throw the midlanders a lifeline.

It was 2-10 to 1-7 at this water break. In the deteriorating conditions (heavy rain mixed with the wind) there were no further scores.

From the throw in Meath had two points (John McDonagh and Ruairi Kinsella) on the board inside 70 seconds. Two points from Conor Kelly (operating at full-forward) spearheaded the Laois response.

They took the lead on two occasions before a Frayne free left the scores tied (0-5-each) at that first water break.

Meath - B Hogan; B Moran, L Kelly, B Donnelly; S O'Donoghue, O Kelly, C Caulfield; S Emmanuel, C Gray; J McDonagh (0-1), R Kinsella (0-1), M Coffey (0-1); A Bowden (1-3), E Frayne (0-4, 3f), A Murphy. Subs: M Corbett for B Donnelly, L Stafford (1-0) for J McDonagh, O Keogh for A Murphy, C Smith for B Moran.

Laois - S Krebbs; B Dempsey, J Hogan, B Reddin; D Slevin, D Dooley, S Fingleton; C Kelly (0-2), C Heffernan; S Fitzpatrick, C Dunne (0-4f), R Meredith (0-1); T Fennelly, PJ Ward, O Hooney. Subs: K O'Donnell (1-0) for T Fennelly, D McEvoy for C Kelly, S Birrane for J Hogan S Lennon for S Fitzpatrick, DJ White for R Meredith.

Referee - E O'Connor.

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