Longford 1-9 Meath 0-8

A stirring performance from Longford saw them advance to the Leinster final with four points to spare over a highly fancied Meath side.

Longford made a terrific start to the game and Cathal McCabe scored the game’s only goal in the eighth minute.

They hassled and harried tenaciously for every ball and were ahead by three points at the break.

Five points

Two lovely points from Jason Matthews extended that lead to five points but credit is due to Meath as they fought hard to get back into the game and with Thomas O’Reilly in fine form they eventually drew level in the 55th minute with five points in a row.

With the momentum seemingly with Meath, Longford dug in and showed true grit and determination with Conor Berry very much to the fore kicking three points (one free). The excellent Peter Lynn sealed this deserved win with a neat point in the last minute.

LONGFORD: M Hughes; M Cahill, R Sheahan, C Lee; C Brady, C Farrell, K Sorohan; E Farrell, J Heaney; J Matthews (0-3), P Hanley, C McCabe (1-1); D Doherty, C Berry (0-4, one 45), P Lynn (0-1). Subs: R Hawkins for Heaney ( 24 mins), R Moffett for Farrell (48 mins), R Brady for Doherty (54 mins), L Barry for Sheahan (56 mins), R Harkin for Brady (59 mins).

MEATH: J Browne; D Quinn, D O'Neill, C Harnan; T McGuinness, R Clarke, R Ryan (0-1); R Jones, C Nash; E O'Donnchadha, T O'Reilly (0-5, frees), A Carey; P McGowan (0-1), B Conlon, R Ryan. Subs: J McKeown for Carey (22 mins), D McEntee (0-1) or Ryan (36 mins), C Halligan for Conlon ( h-t), S Walsh for Ryan, E Kelly-Lynch for O'Donnchadha (both 44 mins).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)