Derry cruised to a third successive Division 2 victory after dismantling a previously unbeaten Meath by 11 points in what proved an Owenbeg stroll on Saturday evening.
Ethan Doherty's goal only 45 seconds into the contest proved the prelude to the most emphatic of displays, Meath never looking capable of laying a glove on the Ulster champions who looked back to something like last season's best after indifferent performances in victory against Limerick and Louth.
Doherty's goal was added to by another from Niall Toner in first half injury time but really Derry could have scored as many as they wished, Meath's somewhat naive game-plan constantly handing their hosts back possession with long passes played in hope rather than expectation.
Derry made one change from the side that defeated Louth in Ardee, Padraig Cassidy in for Lachlan Murray while Colm O'Rourke named Thomas O'Reilly and Brian Conlan to replace the injured Shane Walsh and midfielder Dathi McGowan.
The counties went into the encounter with identical early league records of two wins from two but there the similarities between the teams ended in a one sided first half that. Doherty's opening goal arrived after only 45 seconds and was the signal for wave after wave of Derry attack that had the game all but over as a contest by the short whistle.
The home side did manage to amass a healthy 2-07 to Meath's measly return of 0-03 after Toner added a second major in first half injury time but the home side also passed up at least 1-05 in very scorable chances.
The Royals' insistence on the long ball in played into hosts' hands, with every inevitable turnovers resulting in numerous scorable chances at the opposite end of the field.
Doherty's goal was a 'Glen' special as clubmate Conor Glass sent him away in the inside left channel.
Doherty looked set to tap over but instead twisted and turned before firing home a low shot that Meath keeper Harry Hogan will be disappointed to have let squirm under his body.
Ethan Doherty fires the opening goal inside 50 seconds as Derry make a quick start in Owenbeg #RTEGAA #AllianzLeagues
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 18, 2023
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That was added to by points from the impressive Padraig McGrogan and Shane McGuigan but when O'Reilly's opening point for Meath was quickly followed by another from Brian Conlan it suggested the Royals had got to grips with the game.
Not so, however, as Derry simply went through the gears again to out score Meath by 1-05 to 0-01 over the remaining 25 minutes, Paul Cassidy (2), Benny Heron, Ethan Doherty and McGrogan all on target.
Meath's only response in that time was an incredibly soft free which Donal Lenihan tapped over but Toner's lovely left footed finish, after taking a Conor Doherty pass in his stride, merely highlighted the considerable gulf between the two teams in the opening 35+ minutes.
Derry finish the half as they began it, with a goal. Niall Toner slips home their second and they are totally in control against Meath in Owenbeg #RTEGAA #AllianzLeagues
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 18, 2023
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Colm O'Rourke's response to his team's first half was to introduce Daithi McGowan and Shane Crosby but any hope that it would immediately improve Meath's fortunes were dispelled inside a minute of the restart, Eoin McEvoy striding forward to send over a brilliant effort which increased the home lead to 2-08 to 0-03.
McGuigan tagged on another point when there was an opening for a goal but even five minutes into the second period the game had lost all semblance of intensity as Derry cut through the visitors at will, aided by Meath's inability to hold possession for any prolonged period.
Derry lost Chrissy McKaigue to a blood injury 15 minutes into the second period and the Meath made hay during the temporary reshuffle when Jason Scully teeing up O'Reilly to score a goal from close range to bring it back to 2-09 to 1-04.
After going 32 minutes without a score, Meath rustle up 1-01, Thomas O'Reilly slotting home from close range - Derry have swiftly tagged on three points in a row since#RTEGAA #AllianzLeagues
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 18, 2023
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It proved only a footnote, Derry answering the goal with five successive points from Ethan Doherty, Benny Heron (2), Paul Cassidy and Shane McGuigan.
By that stage it was all academic. Derry had a third win from three and roll on to another massive encounter against Kildare in Newbridge next Sunday.
Derry: Odhran Lynch, Chrissy McKaigue, Eoin McEvoy (0-01), Conor McCluskey, Conor Doherty, Padraig McGrogan (0-02, 1 '45), Padraig Cassidy, Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers, Niall Toner (1-00), Paul Cassidy (0-03), Ethan Doherty (1-01), Benny Heron (0-02, 1m), Shane McGuigan (0-03), Niall Loughlin.
Subs: Oisin McWilliams (0-01) for McKaigue (blood sub) (49-54), Oisin McWilliams for McKaigue (57), Shea Downey for E Doherty (61), Mathew Downey for B Heron (65), Lachlan Murray for Loughlin (68), Paul McNeil for Glass (68).
Meath: Harry Hogan, Adam O'Neill, Michael Flood, Harry O'Higgins, Jack O'Connor, Donal Keogan, Cathal Hickey, Ronan Jones (0-01), Brian Conlan (0-01), Cillian O'Sullivan, Jason Scully, Darragh Campion, Jordan Morris, Donal Lenihan (0-02, 1f), Thomas O'Reilly (1-01).
Subs: Shane Crosby for O'Sullivan (blood sub) (14-17), Daithi McGowan for Conlan (35), Shane Crosby for Campion (35),; Diarmuid Moriarty (0-01) for Lenihan (47), Eoin Harkin for O'Higgins (53), Aaron Lynch (0-01, 1f) for O'Reilly (57).
Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo)
