Meath push dublin in obyrne cup start delayed due to large crowd
Two points in added time earned Dublin a 1-15 to 1-13 O'Byrne Cup semi-final victory in Navan this afternoon when Philly Ryan and Eoghan O'Gara split the posts to thwart a gallant Meath revival that saw the scores tied at 1-13 each as the clock reached 70 minutes.
There was even the spectacle of goalkeeper Paddy O'Rourke sending over three mighty points (two 45s and one free from about 50 metres) as the Royal County handsomely won the second-half by an impressive 1-8 to 1-5.
The start of the game was delayed for 10 minutes due to congestion at the turnstiles as the anticipated large crowd (7,500) descended on Pairc Tailteann for the eagerly-awaited clash of Meath and Dublin.
Dublin dictated the opening half and were well worth a 0-9 to 0-5 interval advantage, but hosts Meath wasted some good chances as they finished the half with seven wides as points from Bryan Menton (two), Graham Reilly, Jamie Queeney and Sean Tobin kept them in touch.
However, it also required a couple of smart saves from Paddy O'Rourke late in the half to deny Dublin goals that would have left them in a stronger position at the interval.
Dean Rock sent over five points for Jim Gavin's men with Shane Carthy (two), Emmet O Conghaile and Kevin McManamon completing their first-half tally.
Rock added three more points for Dublin after the break and at one stage Meath trailed by 0-5 to 1-11 after Eoghan O'Gara found the net for Dublin,
Meath kept battling and with Harry Rooney particularly impressive at midfield and substitute Andrew Tormey also effective, the hosts got back into the game with Michael Newman's goal 'raising the roof' in the closing stages.
Dublin finished strong and were worthy of their win - Meath will now have two weeks to prepare for their NFL Div 2 opener against Galway - that game is scheduled for Sunday 1st February.
Meath results
First round
Meath 1-13,Westmeath 0-10.
Second round
Meath 1-17, Longford 1-9.
Third round
Meath 1-14, DCU 1-14.
Semi-final
Meath 1-13, Dublin 1-15
NEXT UP
Sunday 1st February - Galway v Meath, NFL Div 2.
Meath - Paddy O'Rourke (Skyrne); Donncha Tobin (Blackhall Gaels), Conor McGill (Ratoath), David Dalton (Summerhill); Nicky Judge (Ballinabrackey), Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), Bryan Menton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Harry Rooney (Skryne), Adam Flanagan (Clonard); Graham Reilly (St Colmcille's), Stephen Bray (Navan O'Mahonys), Joey Wallace (Ratoath); Sean Tobin (Simonstown Gaels), Jamie Queeney (Na Fianna), Ruairi O'Dowd (Walterstown).
Subs - Mickey Burke (Longwood) for Dalton (injured), Ciaran McConnell (Bective) for Judge, Andrew Tormey (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) for O'Dowd, Michael Newman (Kilmainham) for Queeney, Damien Carroll (Ballinabrackey) for Tobin, David Bray (Navan O'Mahonys) for S Bray.
See Meath Chronicle Tuesday evening for report and reaction from manager Mick O'Dowd.