Hastings Cup success for Meath

It wasn't easy, but Meath won the Hastings Cup today at Abbeylara with a 3-10 to 1-14 victory over Longford following an exciting game that needed extra-time to find a winner after the sides were tied at Meath 2-8, Longford 1-11 at the end of 60 minutes.

Meath shaded the first-half exchanges and were ahead by a point 1-5 to 1-4 with Conor Moriarty finding the net for the crucial goal.

David McLoughlin added a second Meath goal after the resumption and with about two minutes remaining the Meath lads were ahead by 2-8 to 1-9, but
a determined Longford side managed a couple of late points to force extra-time.

Longford shaded the first-half of extra-time and were ahead by a point (1-13 to 2-9) at the midway stage, but they failed to hit the target again for the remainder.

McLoughlin pounced for a crucial third goal as Meath won the trophy for the first time.

Last year Meath won the subsidiary Hastings Shield and the previous year were beaten in the Cup final by Roscommon.

Next up for Meath is the Leinster u-21 FC tie against Westmeath on Wednesday 22nd February at St Loman's, Mullingar.

UNDER-21 RESULTS
First round - Offaly 2-7, Meath 0-11.
Second round - Meath 3-16, Leitrim 0-15.
Third round - Meath 2-15, Wicklow 0-2.
Semi-final - Meath 2-9, Cavan 1-8.
Final - Meath 3-10, Longford 1-14.