The Royals led by 1-15 to 0-04 at half-time with eight players, including Cian Ward (0-06), on the scoresheet.

Joe Sheridan rasped home a 22nd-minute goal after a neat flick from Graham Geraghty and although Carlow were totally outclassed, championship debutant Daniel St Leger did impress with two early points.

The majority of the 21,707-strong crowd headed home early however as Meath, thanks to this cakewalk, set up a June 1 encounter with Wexford at Dr. Cullen Park.

The omens pointed to a Meath win as they had beaten Carlow in each of the counties' seven previous championship meetings - six in the Leinster championship and one in the All-Ireland qualifiers.

The sides' last SFC encounter in 2006 ended in a 1-17 to 0-12 qualifier win for Meath. Carlow's best results were three-point defeats in 1938 and 1986 respectively.

However, Paul Bealin and his Carlow charges did have reason for optimism with Meath missing some of their leading lights due to suspension (team captain Brendan Murphy et al) and injury (Anthony Moyles and Shane O'Rourke).

It was clear from the outset though, that only a second half disaster would prevent Meath from winning this tie as their direct football, full of crisp passes and intelligent running, had the Carlow defence knifed open time and again.

Carlow did open the scoring through the 19-year-old St Leger, one of the county's leading minors. He turned well and slotted over to open his account with the minimum of fuss.

The youngster's movement off the ball caused Darren Fay, who was playing in his 51st championship game, some problems but as the game wore on, not enough possession was finding its way into St Leger's path.

Meath went through the gears as Ward, stand-in captain Stephen Bray and Sheridan all pointed to push the odds-on favourites into a 0-06 to 0-01 lead.

Colm Coyle's men were playing with a swagger on their return to Croke Park, as evidenced by Sheridan's 11th-minute point with the outside of his right boot.

The Carlow defence could not cope as the Royals continued to drive mercilessly forward and John Hayden was in particular trouble as he tried to keep tabs with the in-form Sheridan.

JJ Smith did get on the scoresheet for the Barrowsiders, but Sheridan's goal soon followed as he right-footed past John Brennan after linking up with Geraghty.

It was shooting practice as Ward took his tally to six points, defender Caoimhin King raced forward to nab a point and Geraghty and championship newcomer Brian Meade also raised white flags.

Little if anything was going right for the stricken Carlow men, even their kick-outs proved problematic. Goalkeeper Brennan, in an attempt to play the ball short to a team-mate on the left, hooked his kick so badly that the ball trickled over the left sideline for a gain of five yards.

The one-way traffic continued into the second half although Carlow did have a couple of bright spells, with Eric McCormack looking lively.

Bray took his tally to four in total but he could have had two goals to his name. Meath, who lost Cian Ward through injury, did ease up although substitute Graham O'Reilly did press him claims to be included for bigger tests ahead.

The only other point of note is that the two Brian Farrells were sprung from the two respective benches and ended up marking each other.

MEATH: M Ahern; C O'Connor, D Fay, C McGill; E Harrington, K Reilly, C King; B Meade, M Ward; A Nestor, C Ward, P Byrne; S Bray (capt), J Sheridan, G Geraghty.

Subs used: B Farrell for Sheridan, D Sheridan for M Ward (both 48 mins), G O'Reilly for C Ward (49), E Reilly for Meade (52), T Skelly for K Reilly (58).

CARLOW: J Brennan; E Doyle, J Hayden, P Bambrick; P Cashin (capt), M Nolan, A Curran; D Byrne, P Walsh; B Carbery, J Murphy, B Murphy; E McCormack, D St Leger, JJ Smith.

Subs used: B Farrell for Hayden (25 mins), J Roche for Nolan (27), K Nolan for Curran (65).

Referee: Gearoid O'Conamha (Galway)