Meath 1-13 Wexford 1-10:THERE WAS a winning start in the O'Byrne Cup for Meath at Navan's Páirc Tailteann as the old adage that a good start is half the battle was proved right with Séamus McEnaney's charges earning a tilt with Louth at the same venue next Sunday.
A one-sided game seemed to be on the cards when the home side galloped into a 0-7 to 0-0 lead in the opening 12 minutes.
It took Meath just 20 seconds to get on the board with Tom Walsh shooting over.
Both managers were in experimental mood and one of the more established of the Royals’ squad, Graham Reilly, was also prominent in attack.
Walsh kicked three points during that early burst, Reilly put over two and defender Mickey Burke and Paddy Gilsenan also got on target.
Just when it looked as Wexford might not register in the first period, they found their scoring touch to get within a point of the leaders.
A goal from captain PJ Banville on 20 minutes sparked the revival with the wing-forward collecting a pass from Paddy Byrne before shooting past returning goalkeeper David Gallagher for their first score.
With Ben Brosnan cleverly leading their front ranks, Wexford tagged on three points before Meath replied with four to lead 0-11 to 1-3 at the break.
Meath were much less conspicuous after the switching of ends and failed to score a point from play in the second half, with Reilly adding two more from frees.
The crucial score arrived 13 minutes after the restart with Reilly providing the opening and Walsh firing to the roof of the net. That left the board reading 1-11 to 1-5, points from Eric Bradley and Kevin O’Grady (a fine effort from a free in the right corner) had given Wexford a bright start to the second half.
Although the visitors made a late spurt with three of their substitutes raising flags, Meath were comfortable in the knowledge that they had done enough.
MEATH: D Gallagher; G O’Brien, B Menton, M Burke (0-1); C McGuinness, S McAnarney, C Lenehan; M Ward, C Gillespie (0-1); B Meade, G Reilly (0-5, 0-4 frees), D Tobin; P Gilsenan (0-2), T Walsh (1-3, 0-1 45), A Forde (0-1). Subs: C O’Connor for Lenehan (28 mins), D Smyth for Forde (46 mins), B Hanlon for Meade (59 mins), J Carry Lynch for Gillespie (68 mins), C O’Dwyer for Reilly (69 mins).
WEXFORD: T Hughes; N Murphy, F Lancaster, S Culleton; L Chin (0-1), G Molloy, B Malone; D Watters, A Shore; E Bradley (0-1), B Brosnan (0-3, 0-1 free), PJ Banville (1-0); P Byrne, K O’Grady (0-1, free), K Rowe. Subs: P Kelly (0-1) for O’Grady, A Flynn (0-2) for Chin (both 50 mins), R Quinlivan (0-1) for Shore (55 mins), S Banville for Rowe (52 mins), A Doyle for Bradley (68 mins).
Referee: P Kneel (Louth).
