Debut boy Lynch gets Royals off to the perfect start

Aaron Lynch registered 1-03 on his Championship debut as Colm O'Rourke's new look Meath started their Tailteann Cup campaign with a confidence boosting win.

The Royals hadn't recorded a win since early February and were surprisingly knocked out of the Leinster championship by Offaly but will hope they have turned a corner with this commanding 11-point victory.

An unfamiliar team containing three debutants - Trim man Lynch, goalkeeper Sean Brennan and U-20 Conor Gray - led by three at half-time and took over in the second-half to leave themselves in a strong position in Group 2.

Jordan Morris impressed for Meath too with four points, all from play, while substitute Thomas O'Reilly did his hopes of inclusion from the start against Waterford in Round 2 no harm with three late scores.

Morris only blotted his copybook in the very last play of the game when he picked up his second yellow card for a tangle that left Shane O'Connell, also booked, with a ripped jersey.

Newcomer Lynch will have fond memories of the occasion, his well taken goal early in the second-half putting Meath eight points clear at that stage and all but breaking the back of Tipp's challenge.

David Power's side will return to action on May 21 when they play Down at home.

O'Rourke went with a bold team selection that included, aside from the debutants, three more players - Adam O'Neill, Michael Flood and Sean Coffey - who only made their first Championship starts against Offaly last month.

There was no indication of instant chemistry between the new and established Meath players, however, as Tipp opened with the first three points of the game, goalkeeper Michael O'Reilly striding forward to convert two placed balls.

In all, Meath altered a third of their team