A Meath side that played the better football throughout led all the way to defeat Laois by an unflattering 1-13 to 2-7 in the final of the Leinster Junior Championship in Tullamore last night.

Meath, the holders, led by 1-3 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter, their goal being scored by corner forward Kevin Barry as early as the third minute. Laois hit back with a goal by midfielder Damien Houlihan, which left them only two points adrift, 1-6 to 1-4, at the interval.

Meath tightened their grip in the second half and extended their lead to five points before a strong finish by their opponents yielded a goal by Barry McEvoy.