Meath U-20s advance to Leinster knock-out stages with seven-point defeat of Westmeath

Following their 12-point defeat in the opening round to Dublin, Westmeath needed victory to have a chance of staying in contention and made a whirlwind start with a goal inside 20 seconds from Jack Duncan.

However, they failed to add to their tally for the remainder of the half as the hosts controlled proceedings and in the process rattled over 11 points.

Westmeath went close to a second goal but Shane Corcoran saw his effort rebound off the underside of the crossbar.

Meath started with just five of the team that were crowned All-Ireland minor champions three years ago and included a completely new-look forward line.

Jamie Murphy accounted for five of their points while Rian Stafford, nephew of former Royal great Brian, hit a brace of scores.

Brian Coffey had Westmeath’s opening four points of the second half but five points was as close as they got after Tadhg Baker found the net on 49 minutes.

Stafford, Murphy and Cian Commons kept the scoreboard ticking over for Meath, who also hit 10 wides over the hour.

It was a much-improved display from Westmeath in the second half and they could have been closer at the finish had they capitalised on a couple of more goal chances.

Meath’s clash with Dublin next Tuesday evening will decide which of the two counties progress directly to a semi-final.

SCORERS – Meath: J Murphy 0-6 (3f); R Stafford 0-4 (1f); C Commons 0-3; R McConnell, J Kinlough, B O’Halloran, K Smyth, H Corcoran 0-1 each.

Westmeath: B Cooney 0-4 (3f); J Duncan, T Baker 1-0 each; M Thornton 0-1.

MEATH: O McDermott; B O’Halloran, S O’Hare, S Byrne; E Cunningham, J O’Regan, K Smyth; J Kinlough, C O’Connor; R Stafford, J Harkin, C Duke; J Murphy, C Commons, R McConnell. Subs: T Martyn for O’Connor (47), C Ennis for Byrne (50), H Corcoran for Harkin (50), J Mannion for Smyth (50), D Curtis for Stafford (59).

WESTMEATH: S O’Driscoll; A Keane, C Monaghan, S Bracken; L Daly, J Macken, D Lowry; T Baker, S Ormsby; J Duncan, B Cooney, E Bracken; R Murray, S Hanley, S Corcoran. Subs: T O’Donovan for E Bracken (38), R Cole for Duncan (47), D Franzoni for S Bracken (55), M Thornton for Murray (55).

REF: C McCullough (Louth)