Heavy hammering for Meath in McDonagh Cup

It certainly wasn't pretty for anybody involved with Meath hurling at Pairc Tailteann today as the home side suffered a 3-12 to 7-29 hammering at the hands of Antrim in the McDonagh Cup.

A defeat was expected for the home team but maybe not by the landslide as it turned out to be.

It looked ominous for the Royal County at the interval when they trailed 2-5 to 5-16 with Jack Regan bagging both their goals, one from a penalty, one from a free.

Jack Walsh finished off a fine move to get a third goal for Nick Weir's team in the second-half but Antrim were simply on another level.

Paddy Burke, Eoin O'Neill and Conor McCann each scored two goals apiece for the Royal County while Sean Elliott was another to find the net for them.

Meath simply had no answer to Antrim's power with the Ulster side denied two more goals by fine saves by Meath 'keeper Charlie Ennis.

SCORERS

Antrim - Conal Cunning 0-12 six frees, three 65s; Conor McCann 2-1; Paddy Burke 2-0; Sean Elliott 1-2; Niall McKenna 0-4; Michael Bradley 0-2; Gerard Walsh 0-2; Niall O'Connor 0-1; Joe Maskey 0-1; James McNaughton 0-1.

Meath - Jack Regan 2-7 four frees, one '65'; Jack Walsh 1-0; Chris Reilly 0-2; Kevin Keena 0-2; James Kelly 0-1; Stephen Morris 0-1.