Meath advanced to the Leinster SFC final with a merited 1-17 to 1-11 victory over a Kildare side that finished with 14 men.

This was a great result for manager Seamus McEnaney who can now plan for his first experience of a Leinster decider as the Royals bid for a second provincial title in three years.

Meath were ahead by 0-8 to 0-7 at the interval and the sides were level with 13 minutes remaining following a Graham Reilly point, but when substitute Peadar Byrne found the net again it gave Meath the boost to push on for victory.

Meath - David Gallagher; Donal Keoghan, Brian Menton, Ciaran Lenihan; Donncha Tobin, Shane McAnarney, Michael Burke; Conor Gillespie, Brian Meade; Alan Forde (0-1), Damien Carroll (0-1), Graham Reilly (0-3); Brian Farrell (0-6 four frees), Joe Sheridan (0-3 one '45'), Cian Ward.

Subs - S Bray (0-1) for Ward, Eoghan Harrington for Lenihan, Peadar Byrne (1-0) for Meade, Kevin Reilly for Menton, Jamie Queeney (0-2) for Forde.

Referee - Michael Collins (Cork).

See this week's Meath Chronicle for all the details from reporters Fergal Lynch and Jimmy Geoghegan.