An outstanding exhibition of accuracy from frees from Meath captain Jack Regan pushed his side to a 0-20 to 0-14 victory over Donegal in a thrilling NHL Division Two B final played in difficult conditions.
A pitch that was pockmarked with divots made hurling difficult for both sides who nevertheless conjured up a fine game for the fans.
Regan hit a total of 0-10 seven from frees to inspire the favourites to victory over a battling Donegal side who missed a potential 1-05 when they had a period of dominance in the third quarter.
But a more experienced and clinical Meath side hung tough after Donegal sub Declan Coulter gave his side the lead for the first time on a score of 0-11 to 0-10 in the 43rd minute after the Royals led by 0-10 to 0-08 at the break.
However, Donegal only added three more points to their opponents 0-10 and that was the major difference between two otherwise well matched sided.
It was Meath, as in their previous encounter, who finished the stronger as they tacked on an impressive further 0-10 to deservedly take the title.
Donegal threw on veterans Stephen Gillespie, Declan Coulter and Danny Cullen to try and stem the tide, but Meath showed much greater composure in front of the posts.
Meath took off like a freight train and a lightning ball into their full-forward Eamon O'Donnchadha and he swung over a point after just 15 seconds.
The Royals meant business and they swept over two more points from Martin Healy and Padraig O'Hanrahan to ease them into a 0-03 to 0-00 lead after five minutes.
Ruairi Campbell from play and a Liam McKinney point left just a point in it but the inevitable Regan and the injured Padraig O’Hanrahan made it 0-05 to 0-03.
Exchanges were close as player struggled to master the bumps and Ritchie Ryan and McKinney left just a point in it by the end of the first quarter.
And it was point for point up to the break with McKinnyey and Jack O’Loughlin on target for Donegal with Regan masterful from placed balls.
Donegal did have two half chances of a goal in the 28th and 30th minutes but the Meath defence smothered Ritchie Ryan and Tir Chonaill team captain Ronan McDermott’s efforts as Meath led by 0-10 to 0-08 at the break.
On the resumption Regan had an uncharacteristic miss from a free with Campbell narrowing the gap for Donegal.
But they had a narrow escape when O’Donnachadha turned Donegal full-back Michael Donaghue, but his screaming shot flashed across the goals and wide.
Padraig Doherty levelled for Donegal with a fine long range effort and sub Declan Coulter put them in the lead for the first time with a soaring effort in the 45th minute.
Donegal were in the ascendancy but hit six wides in the space of nine minutes.
Regan hit three points on the spin to put his side into a 0-13 to 0-11 lead when Donegal missed yet another big chance.
Liam McKinney was through on goal but his rasping shot from 12 yards was superbly saved by Meath keeper Charlie Ennis.
McKinney laned a point to leave the minimum margin between the sides going into the last ten minutes.
But Meath found an extra gear and the points flowed from Regan, Sean Geraghty, Stephen Morris and sub Daire Shine who hit two fine points.
Donegal continued to battle but could not break through for that vital goal as Meath emerged deserved winners.
Donegal acorers; Liam McKinney 0-85f; Ruairi Campbell 0-1; Ritchie Ryan 0-1; Jack O’Loughin 0-1; Ciaran Bradley 0-1; Padraig Doherty 0-1; Declan Coulter 0-1;
Donegal: Luke White; Ciaran Bradley (0-01), Michael Donaghue, Padraig Doherty (0-01); Ryan Hilferty, Christopher McDermott, Stephen McBride; Jack O’Loughlin (0-01), Brian McIntyre; Sean Ward, Ronan McDermott, Liam McKinney (0-08, 5f); Daire O’Maoileidigh, Ritchie Ryan (0-01), Ruairi Campbell (0-01). Subs: Oisin Marley for Sean Ward (30), Stephen Gillespie for Ciaran Bradley and Declan Coulter (0-01) for Brian McIntyre (40), Danny Cullen for Ruairi Campbell (52), Conor O’Grady for Ryan Hilferty;
Meath: Charlie Ennis; Gerard Dwane, Damien Healy, Brendan McKeon; Niall McLarnon, James Toher, Simon Ennis; Sean Geraghty, Martin Healy (0-01); Stephen Morris (0-01), Jack Regan (0-10, 10f), Mikey Cole; Sean Quigley, Padraig O’Hanrahan (0-02, 1f), Eamon O'Donnchadha (0-04). Subs: Patrick Barnwell for Mikey Cole (10), James Kelly for Padraig O’Hanrahan (49) Daire Shine (0-02) for Martin Healy (55), Sean Coloe for Sean Quigley (70), Shane Brennan for Niall McLarnon (73)
Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim)
