Meath 3-13 Kildare 1-15:Meath remain on course for a first Leinster under-21 football title since 2001 as they followed up their recent victory over Dublin with a hard-earned but deserved win over Kildare at Páirc Tailteann yesterday.

Though they trailed by six points during the opening half, Meath's ability to strike for goals proved a big factor in their win.

Playing into the wind in the first half, Meath's David Bray pounced to find the net after only seven minutes. Kildare midfielder Tomás O'Connor (son of the Offaly all-Ireland winner of the same name) responded with a goal two minutes later.

It was 1-8 to 1-4 at the break but boosted by a goal from Jamie Queeney and a couple of converted frees by top scorer Cian Ward, Meath edged ahead in the second half. Kildare regained the lead with points from Michael Conway (free) and Padraig O'Neill before substitute Ciarán Kelly left the scores 2-8 to 1-11 at the end of regulation time.

Kildare started extra time strongly with points from Mark O'Sullivan and O'Neill but Ward replied with Meath's third goal and they outscored their rivals 1-5 to 0-2 over the rest of the game.

MEATH: M Aherne; C O'Connor, R Hatton, P Howard; S Sheppard, C McGuinness, T Skelly; B Meade, K Reilly (0-2); D Bray (1-2), R Maguire, A Nestor; C O'Dwyer, J Queeney (1-0), C Ward (1-7, five frees). Subs: S O'Rourke for Bray (44 mins), C Kelly (0-2) for O'Dwyer (56 mins), G Gallagher for Meade (66 mins), N McMahon for Skelly (87 mins), K Mulvaney for Nestor (90 mins).

KILDARE: J Kindregan; I Lonergan, H McGrillen, D McInerney; J Brown, G White, D Brennan; T O'Connor (1-0), R Kelly; B Bell, M Conway (0-3, two frees), A Smith (0-2); M O'Sullivan (0-3), P O'Neill (0-6, four frees), T Archbold. Subs: J Phillips for Kelly (41 mins), J Cocoman (0-1) for Bell (47 mins), D McEvoy for Brown (51 mins), M Kenny for Brennan (67 mins), R Kelly for O'Connor (70 mins).

Referee: E Kinsella (Laois).