Meath's hopes shattered by Lilywhites

Playing well below their best Meath slumped to a disappointing 0-13 to 1-18 defeat to Kildare in the Christy Ring Cup semi-final at Trim this afternoon.

A big crowd showed up on a warm, sunny day but there was little for the Royal County supporters to be cheerful about as a better Kildare side deservedly won.

Meath finished with 14 men after full-back Neil McLoughlin (pictured) was sent off on 59 minutes when he was shown a second yellow.

The Lilywhites found the net after just 12 seconds when towering full-forward Tony Murphy powered through to fire home.

From then on Meath were chasing the game. Kildare led 1-9 to 0-7 at the interval and while the home side had plenty of ball in the second-half they couldn't get the goal they needed.

They nearest they came was in the 43rd minute when Willie McGrath was fouled but Steven Clynch's penalty shot was saved.

Meath spurned good opportunities after that with Derek Doran their best performer and he capped his afternoon with three points from play.

Jimmy Geoghegan.