Meath 1-17 Longford 1-11

MEATH CLAIMED THE season’s first silverware in Leinster as they lifted the O’Byrne Cup for the first time in 10 years.

Graham Reilly kicked six points from play as the Royals ran out winners by six points in Páirc Tailteann.

The win was a perfect tune-up for Mick O’Dowd’s side ahead of their Division 2 league opener against Armagh next Sunday.

A pair of Mickey Newman frees, along with three early points from the boot of Reilly, helped Meath into an 0-7 to 0-2 lead by the 16th minute.

But a free from Francis McGee followed by Robbie Smyth’s goal had Longford back to within a point by the 27th minute.

Newman (two frees) and Reilly restored the hosts’ advantage to four at the break, 0-10 to 1-3, and both sides exchanged scores before Cillian O’Sullivan’s 44th-minute goal tilted the balance decisively towards Meath.

Sean Tobin and Reilly stretched their lead out a to comfortable eight points, 1-14 to 1-6, with 20 minutes to play as Meath did enough to snuff out any threat of a comeback.

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