Meath 1-13 DCU 1-10: DCU Under-fire Meath manager Eamonn Barry had reason to be pleased after his experimental side saw off the challenge of a DCU outfit which included a number of well-known county players at Navan's Páirc Tailteann yesterday.

After leading by 1-7 to 0-5 at the break Meath were forced to dig deep in the closing stages but after the deficit was reduced to the minimum, points from top scorer Daithí Regan and Peter Curran sealed their success. Regan contributed 1-5 with the goal coming on 32 minutes following a delivery from Joe Sheridan after the sides had been on level terms four times.

Cavan forward Séanie Johnston was in sharp form for DCU, kicking five points from play, and Mayo's Conor Mortimer brought them well into contention when netting a penalty awarded for a foul on himself 24 minutes into the second half.

Meath started with just six of last year's championship squad and Barry said afterwards: "I am very pleased with the result. This is a new era for Meath football, there is a total freshness about the team and the crowd got behind them well."

MEATH: R Nolan; D Kealy, T O'Connor, C King; D Clarke, J Donoghue, S Kenny; B Lynch (0-1), A Moyles; P Curran (0-3), J Sheridan, S McInerney (0-1); D Regan (1-5), M Doran (0-1), S Bray (0-1). Subs: N McLoughlin for Kealy (40 mins); D White for Bray, N Crawford for Moyles (both 47 mins); B Farrell (0-1) for King (52 mins).

DCU: S Cluxton; B O'Reilly, K Reilly (0-1), C Healy; P Casey, B Cullen, G Mullins; E Lennon, R McConnell; D Lally, B Brogan (0-1), R Carroll; C Mortimer (1-3), B Egan, S Johnston (0-5). Subs: K Devine for McConnell (29 mins); L Moffett for Mullins (half-time); D Mooney for Healy (43 mins); M McNally for Carroll (62 mins).

Referee: P Knell (Louth).