Meath……1-15

Louth……1-11

Hughie Corcoran – remember the name. The Drumbarragh youngster gave a classy display full of potential as only weeks after claiming the Leinster MFC title for 2020, they earned the right to have a crack at holding onto the trophy thanks to a highly impressive second half showing.

With only three members of the panel recently defeated by eventual kingpins Derry available – team captain Liam Kelly, midfielder Jack Kinlough and centre forward Sean Emmanuel – Manager Cathal O’Bric fielded a team with many fresh faces and no shortage of talent.

Kinlough and Emmanuel were to the fore throughout but it was the lively corner forward from the Kells parish club who was conductor-in-chief of the orchestra.

Especially in the first half when the fact that Louth had already played two games as a collective while the Royal County were just entering the fray at lunchtime on Saturday had an obvious impact on proceedings. At the end of Act I, Aaron Hoey’s side held a 1-06 to 0-08 lead, courtesy of a Fionn Cumiskey goal.

By that stage, Corcoran had flashed over a handful of points, but when substitute Rian McConnell raised two white flags and full forward Oisin O’Murchu sent the umpire looking for the green flag it was clear the home side had upped the tempo considerably.

I’ve been watching Cathal O’Bric coached teams for the best part of 30 years,so the the fluidity with which intricate moves were constructed at immense speed was no shock.

If there will be one area of concern for the Wolfe Tones clubman, it will be that for all his charges scored well, they spurned quite a few chances to make their victory even more comprehensive. Still, that they are creating so many chances bodes well in relation to the attacking prowess within the group. We can now look forward to the forthcoming Bank Holiday with an extra degree of excitement!