Kerry coast to flattering 15-point win over Meath

Two second-half goals from David Clifford eased Kerry to a big All-Ireland SFC win in Navan, leaving the Kingdom within touching distance of automatic qualification for the quarter-finals.

A lot like the team's performance overall, Clifford wasn't at his very best, but burst into life in the final 20 minutes or so to help his team to a slightly flattering 15-point win.

Kerry were only five points up with 49 minutes on the clock, but Clifford's first goal moved the 2022 champions from five to eight points clear and broke the back of Meath's challenge.

The Footballer of the Year's second goal arrived in stoppage time and brought his takings to 2-02 for the afternoon.

Kerry had 11 different scorers in all and the two goals they scored were the first in this year's championship following a barren period in front of the posts.

They will be back in action in a fortnight against Louth while Meath will face Monaghan the same weekend seeking their first win of the campaign having previously lost to neighbours Louth.

The Royals were desperate for a pick-me-up after that 10-point beating from Louth and shook their team up in the hope of hitting upon a combination that might pick the Kerry lock.

Colm O'Rourke and his management team gambled with a series of alterations to the published team, four in total.

Sean Ryan from the St Peter's Dunboyne club came in for not just his Championship debut but his first ever appearance for the Meath seniors.

Clubmate Michael Murphy and Ballivor's Brian O'Halloran were both handed their first championship starts while Conor Gray, midfield for last year's Tailteann Cup triumph, started his first game of 2024 following a mixture of injury and illness.

All of that change left Meath with a novel midfield axis