handicapped by the forced withdrawal of captain Leighton Glynn with an ankle injury early in the second half along with the 67th minute sending off of midfielder James Stafford. From a Meath perspective, aside from the outcome, the main plus was the performances of newcomers Alan Forde, Mark Collins and, in particular, Donal Keoghan who made the most of his chance to impress after Kenny’s participation was cut short. Carlow stood between the Royals and a potential re-match against Kildare but the Barrowsiders failed to read the script when catching Meath offguard with a late goal to secure a replay in their quarter-final encounter. A David Gallagher error gifted JJ Smith a 73rd minute equalising goal as the sides finished level on 1-12 apiece the first day out. Despite a sub-standard first half showing, Meath led by 1-6 to 0-7 at the change of ends thanks to Cian Ward’s goal. The impressive Graham Reilly extended his team’s lead with the first point of the second half but they were unable to shake of a Brendan Murphy inspired Carlow side during the second half. Still, entering added-on time,
It’s Leinster final day and Seamus McEnaney shakes hands with referee Marty Duffy prior to throw in
McEnaney’s team – who had midfielder Conor Gillespie sent off towards the end - looked to have done just enough only to be undone by Smith’s late green flag. Normal service was restored six days later when the Shane McAnarney captained side scored a convincing 221 to 1-9 replay victory at Tullamore. Carlow led by 0-4 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter but Meath soon took control of proceedings and strangled the life out of their opponents’ challenge when registering 1-7 without reply in the remainder of the first period. Substitute Peadar Byrne netted his team’s opening goal in the 28th minute
Eoin Harrington with Dublin's Michael Daragh Maculey
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and the Ballinlough player raised another green flag in the second half. It was a much more accomplished performance from Meath with nine players making the scoresheet. Brian Farrell topscored with eight points, five of which came from placed balls. Nobber’s Farrell was again the top scorer as Meath produced their best championship performance since the semi-final win over Dublin two years ago to finally bring their losing streak against Kildare to an end. The Royals ripped up the formguide to end Kildare’s hopes of provincial glory with a 1-17 to 1-11 and the beauty of the victory was the contributions of youngsters like Donal Keogan, Bryan Menton, Donnacha Tobin, Conor Gillespie, Alan Forde and Damien Carroll to the success. Kildare will point to the 52nd dismissal of midfielder Daryl Flynn as a reason for their defeat but, truth be told, there could be no debate about the final outcome as the better team evidently won. Meath went in at the break 0-8 to 0-7 ahead following a first half that ebbed and flowed throughout. Kildare edged the early second half exchanges but with Gillespie growing in