Meath overcome Louth to end 23-year famine at U20 grade

,Meath 3-13 Louth 0-12

Jamie Murphy kicked 1-05 this evening in a stylish performance as Meath were crowned U20 Leinster champions for the first time since 2001.

There was little between the sides in the opening half, the highlight undoubtedly being Eamonn Armstrong's rasper of a goal on 22 minutes.

First half scores between James Maguire and Kieran McArdle kept Louth in touch with just three between the sides at the break.

That was to be as good as it would get for Louth as Meath’s fitness and clinical finishing came to the fore with the Royals out-scoring Louth 2-07 to 0-05 in the second half.

A shooting masterclass from Man of the Match Jamie Murphy, who kicked 1-05 on the night as well as a late goal from substitute Tadhg Martyn saw Meath end their long drought.

The Parnell Park crowd had to wait until the fifth minute for the first score.

Jamie Murphy got the scoreboard up and running for Meath with a sublime free kick from distance, showing admirable composure and technique to drill his effort straight between the posts.

The influential Liam Kelly followed it up instantly with a fine individual effort, fisting over to put Meath two in front with six minutes played.

Louth responded strongly, settle into the game, hitting the front on nine minutes after a trio of points from McArdle, Maguire and Pearse Grimes-Murphy.

As the first half progressed, the game really started to open up with both half forward lines beginning to eke out space in attack.

An exchange of scores between McArdle and Corcoran, before a pinged point from Meath's Jack Kinlough levelled the game at four points apiece midway through the first half.

Louth had a gilt edged goal chance when substitute Deery weaved his way through the Meath defence but