Full-forward Jonathan O'Neill's nine-point tally proved crucial as Wicklow outscored Meath in a Ring Cup semi-final at Arklow on Saturday afternoon.

Wicklow ....... 3-17
Meath ........... 2-12

The Glenealy man's accuracy from play and placed balls secured another final date in the second tier championship for Wicklow, who lost to Kerry in last year's decider.

O'Neill was ably assisted by Andy O'Brien who posted 1-5 from play including two points in the opening minute.

Wicklow remained in front until the end and they polished performance was garnished with three goals including a 54th minute effort from substitute Christy Moorehouse that effectively ended the contest.

That left it 3-14 to 2-9 and Wicklow were well on course for a final meeting with Down or London (who lost narrowly to Meath in the opening round) whose semi-final meeting ended level after extra time.

Back by the breeze in the opening-half at this sun-bathed venue, Wicklow maintained the momentum from those early O'Brien points.

Wayne O'Gorman's sixth minute goal further enhanced Wicklow's position. They had 1-5 on the board within 12 minutes of the off.

Midfielder Stephen Clynch's long range free got Meath off the mark two minutes later. The visitors got the gap down to six points before O'Brien's goal left it 2-6 to 0-3 with 26 minutes gone.

Cilian Farrell's charges then enjoyed their best spell. Derek Doran capped a fine performance when kicking home Meath's first goal.

Then in first-half stoppage time, a long range Stephen Clynch free wound up in the Wicklow net and the gap was down to three points.

However, the harsh red-carding of Meath substitute Stephen Donoghue and the pointing of the subsequent free by O'Neill left it 2-10 to 2-6 to Wicklow at the break.

Numerical defiency proved a handicap to Meath hopes and they struggled to keep Wicklow within their sights in a bid to secure a first Ring Cup final appearance.

Wicklow moved five points clear within a minute of the restart through O'Neill. Fine efforts from play courtesy of Clynch and Doran left just a goal in it with six minutes of the restart.

That was as close as Meath got to clawing back the deficit as Wicklow pulled clear in the final quarter with the the final score coming from O'Brien.

Wicklow - J. Murphy; J. Connors, G. Keogh, B. Cuddihy; J. Henderson, S. Kelly, G. Bermingham; E. Kearns, R. Keddy; T. Doyle (0-1), W. O'Gorman (1-0), E. Dunne; E. Glynn (0-1), J. O'Neill (0-9, 5 fs, 1 65), A. O'Brien (1-5). Subs - C. Moorehouse (1-1) for Dunne (ht), J. Connors for Doyle (66 mins), A. Murphy for O'Brien (70 mins).

Meath - S. McGann; C. Reilly, E. Fitzgerald, W. Mahady; J. Togher, D. Healy, E. Keogh; S. Morris, S. Clynch (1-4, 1-1 fs, 0-2 65s); C. O Mealoid, S. Heavey, J. Kelly; D. Doran (1-3), N. Kirby (0-2 fs), P. Durnin (0-2). Subs - N. Horan (0-1) for Kelly, S. Donoghue for Morris (both 29 mins), P. Fagan for Fitzgerald (ht), P. Conneely for Durnin (45 mins), D. Raleigh for O Mealoid (53 mins).

Referee - T. Carroll (Offaly) Tweet

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