Despite three goals in the final five minutes from the home side Louth, neighbours Meath won this match at Dowdallshill, Dundalk, yesterday and now meet Westmeath in the semi-final.

Favourites Meath confirmed that status with a bright opening quarter hour in which they scored 2-5 without reply.

Meath: M Gannon; D Reilly, A O'Neill, J Horan; T Reilly, D Murray, M Mullen; P Donnelly, N Horan (0-3, one free); D Donnelly (1-1), M Healy (0-2), J Mitchell (0-1); N Reilly (2-1), J Dorran (0-1), M Cole (1-2). Subs: F McMahon (0-2) for Dorran; P Coone for D Murray; R Dorran for Mitchell; T Duignan for M Cole.

Louth: E McArdle; D Black, P Dunne, J O'Flaherty; E Quigley, A Carter, J Kennedy; C Connolly (0-1), B Murphy; D Callan, D Dunne (1-3, three frees); P Dyas, T Corcoran (1-0), P Sharkey (0-1); J Murphy (1-0). Subs: D Mur- phy (1-1) for J Kennedy; I Sommerville for J Murphy; N McEneaney for Callan; S McDonagh for Carter; P Murphy for McArdle.

Referee: E Morris (Dublin).