Dublin dumped out of Leinster MFC at Páirc Táilteann
Cagey would be one way to describe Meath's approach to the opening exchanges of today's Leinster MFC quarter-final against Dublin, but the tactics worked and the Royal County emerged with a thoroughly deserved 1-18 to 2-5 victory.
Meath will go into tomorrow's open draw for the semi-finals (they can't get Laois) full of confidence after this memorable and morale-boosting victory.
The last time the teams met, in the Leinster MFL semi-final in March, Dublin won by 1-13 to 1-7 and Meath had a player sent-off, this time the scoreline and the red-card stats were reversed as Dublin finished with 14 players after Cormac Howley collected a second yellow card soon after the resumption.
Dublin's tactics were quite clear from the throw-in, the high ball into Conor Hynes, and it worked briefly with the St Peregrines player involved in most of their attacks, but a return of 1-2 for the first-half left them chasing a seven-point interval deficit.
Meath reeled off some excellent points and finished the half with 12 to their credit as Barry Callaghan's team worked well as a unit with some great off-the-ball movement.
The level of frustration amongst the Dublin players was reflected in four yellow cards during the first 30 minutes although one of them, to defender Rob Shaw, was a harsh call by referee Seamus Mulhare.
Two points each from James Conlon, Jason Scully, Eoin Smith, Ethan Devine and Daragh Campion were augmented by one each from Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch and Sean Reilly for that 0-12 to 1-2 interval advantage.
Meath kept the initiative after the resumption and that Dublin dismissal in the 35th minute put an extra burden on the team managed by Paddy Christie – a man with strong Meath connections also.
Conlon sebnt over three more points for Meath while Scully, Campion and James Cassidy also split the posts with Scully scoring a late goal. Dublin were well beaten – points from Hynes (two) and Sean Bugler was all they could muster with Kevin Callaghan adding an injury-time goal.
Meath - Adam McDermott (Dunshaughlin); Robbie Clarke (Skryne), Conor Harnan (Moynalvey), Brian O’Reilly (Moynalvey); James Cassidy (Moynalty 0-1), Niall Murphy (Curraha), Cian O’Reilly (Carnaross); Eanna O’Kelly-Lynch (Wolfe Tones 0-1), Sean Reilly (Moylagh 0-1); Daragh Campion (Skryne 0-3), Jason Scully (Oldcastle 1-3 three frees), Eoin Smith (Skryne 0-2); James Conlon (St Colmcille’s 0-5), Frank O’Reilly (Carnaross), Ethan Devine (Na Fianna 0-2).
Subs – Eanna Mooney (Slane) for F O’Reilly 47 mins,Conor O’Byrne (St Colmcille’s) for Devine 52m, Morgan Callaghan (Ballivor) for S Reilly, Adam Murphy (Moynalvey) for C O’Reilly and Niall Durkan (Boardsmill) for Smith all 56m, Conor Cullen (Walterstown) for Clarke 58m.
Black card – E O’Kelly-Lynch 60m.
Dublin – E Comerford; R Shaw, N Doran, CJ Smith; C Lennon, J Holland, M Tighe; A Kelly, M Donnelly; C Howley (0-1), S Bulger (0-1), D O’Brien; T Keane (0-1), K Callaghan (2-0), C Hynes (0-2 frees).
Subs - E Fitzpatrick for Kelly, A Bradshaw for Lennon and N Nolan for Tighe all half-time; R McGarry for Hynes 42 mins, G McNamara for Shaw 45m, P Flaherty for Donnelly 58m.
Referee – Seamus Mulhare (Laois).
NOTE - VIDEO
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