Kildare blitzed by Meath in McDonagh Cup

Meath triumphed over Kildare to retain their Joe McDonagh Cup status, winning in the end with a comfortable ten points, a game that saw Meath centre forward, Jack Regan hit 17 points (11 frees) in display that was a joy to behold.

Kildare led at the break by two points, 1-11 to 0-12, the goal from Jack Sheridan.

However on the change of ends there was ony one team in it as Meath took complete control through the entire pitch firing over point after point with The Lilies failing to raise a flag until the 58 minute of the second half, having lost Jack Sheridan to a straight red.

Tried as they did, Kildare just had no answer as The Royals won on a final score line of Meath 0-28 Kildare 1-15

Scorers: Meath, Jack Regan 0-17 (11 frees), Eamon Ó Donnchadha 0-4, Stephen Morris 0-2, James Toher 0-2, David Reilly 0-1, Adam Gannon 0-1, Mark O'Sullivan 0-1.

Kildare, Jack Sheridan 1-5 (4 frees), Brian Byrne 0-2 (45, 1 free), Paul Divilly 0-2, Jack Travers 0-2, Conor Dowling 0-1, Shane Ryan 0-1, Gerry Keegan 0-1.

MEATH: Charlie Ennis; Ger Murphy, Shane Whitty, Sean Geraghty; James Kelly, Darragh Kelly, Keith Keoghan; Stephen Morris, James Toher; David Reilly, Jack Regan, Mark O'Sullivan; Adam Gannon, Alan Douglas, Paddy Conneely. Subs: Pauric O'Hanrahan for Jack Regan (blood sub, 17-19 minute); Eamon Ó Donnchadha for David Reilly (29 minutes); Caolan Smith for Johnny Byrne (52 minutes); Sean Quigley for Paddy Conneely (56 minutes) Pauric O'Hanrahan for Adam Gannon (58 minutes); Mickey Burke for Sean Geraghty (63 minute).

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Cathal Derivan, Rian Boran, Simon Leacy; Kevin Whelan, Declan Flaherty, Jack Travers; Paul Divilly, Brian Byrne Brian; Cathal Dowling, Johnny Byrne, James Burke; Colm Chan, Jack Sheridan, David Slattery. Subs: Gerry Keegan for Colm Chan (31 minutes); Shane Ryan for David Slattery (34 minutes); Conor Dowling for Cathal Dowling (56 minutes); Sean Christianseen for Declan Flaherty (68 minutes).

REFEREE: Colm Cunning, Antrim