Meath ease into Leinster MFC semi-final

Meath proved too strong for neighbours Westmeath in the Leinster MFC quarter-final at Pairc Tailteann today as they won by 3-11 to 0-7.

The opening half was well-contested with Meath shading the exchanges to lead by 1-5 to 0-5 with Aaron Murphy's goal proving crucial.

In the second-half the hosts were in complete control and the goals were scored by Ruairi Kinsella and John McDonagh as Ciaran Caulfield provided the inspiration with surging runs from the half-back line.

SCORERS

Meath - Ruairi Kinsella 1-2; John McDonagh 1-2; Eoghan Frayne 0-4 one free, one '45'; Aaron Murphy 1-0; Alan Bowden 0-2; Ciaran Caulfield 0-1.

Westmeath - Danny McCartan 0-3 frees; Senan Baker 0-2; Sean Leech 0-1; Mikey Moffat 0-1.

TEAMS

Meath - Billy Hogan; Ben Moran, Liam Kelly, Ben Donnelly; Sean O'Donoghue, Oisin Kelly, Ciaran Caulfield; Sean Emmanuel, Conor Gray; John McDonagh, Ruairi Kinsella, Mark Coffey; Alan Bowden, Eoghan Frayne, Aaron Murphy. Subs - Thomas Corbett for Kelly 16 mins, Liam Stafford for Coffey 42m, Oisin Keogh for Caulfield 54m, Cian Smith (Ratoath) for Caulfield 59m.

Westmeath - Jamie Mulkearns; Daniel Scahill, Tom Cloonan, Sam Smyth; Podge Quinn, Tom Kelleher, Jake Costello; Tobi Conteh, Dylan Murtagh; Sean Leech, Senan Baker, Warric Kirby; Brian Cooney, Mikey Moffatt, Danny McCartan. Subs - Mikey Lynam for Conteh and Darren McWade for Scahill 35 mins, Jack Cole for Kirby 42m, OLiver McNamara for Murtagh 46m, Peter Peirson for McCartan 58m.

Referee - Chris Dwyer (Offaly).

Meath will play Laois in the semi-final next Saturday at Pairc Tailteann.

Laois had plenty to spare with a 2-14 to 0-5 victory against Carlow as

Conor Heffernan and Colin Dunne both found the net inside the opening 12 minutes as Laois were ahead by 2-8 to 0-2 at half time.