Meath coasted to a comfortable victory in this All-Ireland junior hurling championship semi-final played before yesterday's big game at Croke Park. The fixture also doubled up as the final of the open draw section.

Meath corner forward Donal Fitzsimons was the star attraction, scoring 2-6 in total, both goals coming in a second half which Meath dominated. Carlow had stayed in touch during the first half, but were rocked by a soft goal five minutes before the break when a high, lobbed effort from Meath wing back Paul Tansey dropped over the line.

That left Carlow trailing 1-6 to 0-4 at the break. Meath were on their way eight minutes into the second half when Fitzsimons smacked home his first goal after good approach play by Pearse Ferguson. Carlow reduced the deficit to six points and would have been back in the game but for a brave save from Meath goalkeeper Neville Reilly as wing forward David Rice came through

Meath added two points in the last five minutes to leave the game safe and Fitzsimons embellished his performance with a shot to the roof of the net as time ran out.