Down and Meath qualify for junior final

Down and Meath will contest the All-Ireland junior hurling final following their respective semi-final victories over London and Mayo on Saturday, July 31.

Two first half goals from Anthony Tinnelly and Aidan Browne set Down up for a comfortable 3-13 to 3-5 win over London at Newry. Those goals helped the Mournemen to a 2-7 to 0-2 interval lead and although London rallied with a hat-trick of goals from the outstanding Paddy Cullhane, Jonathan McCasker made victory safe for the home side with a third goal late on.

Meanwhile, at Hyde Park in Roscommon, Meath easily accounted for a young Mayo team on a 2-15 to 3-3 scoreline. Goals from Joe Butler, Martin Devaney and Wayne Power kept Mayo in touch throughout, but Meath finished strongly and had two excellent performers up front in Dave Kirby and Paul Tobin.