Disappointment for Royals as Dublin claim Leinster glory in style

A poor performance from Shane McCormack's side see's Dublin ease to victory

LGFA Leinster Final

Dublin 3-17

Meath 0-8

The Meath Chronicles sports editor Fergal Lynch started his match report for the Meath U20’s Leinster final win against Louth with a simple statement. “It’s the hope that kills you”. This Meath ladies side came into this Leinster final, full of hope, full of confidence, full of belief that they could put an end to their long wait for Leinster ladies glory…. It’s the hope that kills you.

It may have been the occasion, it may have been the inexperience in the team, it may have been the exceptional talent within the very strong Dublin side, but whatever it was Meath’s ‘hope’ of Leinster glory was extinguished fairly early on in the contest. Jennifer Dunne hit the back of the Meath net for Dublin’s second goal on the 20th minute marker and from then on Meath never looked like recovering.

The Royals were way too open in defence and the experienced Carla Rowe made the most of the wide-open gaps that she was presented with throughout. The result has brought this Meath side crashing back down to reality and they now know the large extent to which they have to improve if they are going to get close to the side which only three years ago they seemed to have the measure of.

Two early chances, one for either side went begging. Meath claimed the throw-in and in the very first play, Ciara Smyth was fouled just outside the D, Emma Duggan's effort from the resulting free came flying back of the post. Dublin countered quickly and Orlagh Nolan’s attempt also came back off the post.

Soon after Smyth, who had made a quick start to the game got the opener but Dublin responded almost immediately with a point courtesy of Hannah Tyrrell. The Meath defence did well to deal with a half-goal chance when Niamh Hetherton was dispossessed by Mary Kate Lynch. However, Tyrell quickly put Dublin ahead with her second and a Carla Rowe free widened the gap to two.

Caoimhe O’Connor managed to burst through the Meath defence from wide at pace and at a crucial time laid it off to Rowe who polished it to the back of the net. Meath responded well though by getting up the field and Duggan reduced the gap back to four after 10 minutes of play. A third point from Tyrrell was canceled out by another Duggan free.

As we entered the final ten minutes of the opening 30 Dublin would strike again with another hammer blow. After a mistake in the Meath half-back line, Olweyn Carey and Jennifer Dunne teamed up well, with Dunne getting the final fist to the back of the net to give the Dubs an 8-point advantage. Points from Tyrrell and Lauren Magee followed soon after and very quickly the game was getting away from the Royals.

Orlagh Nolan and Carey added to Dublin’s tally to extend their lead to 12. Despite both teams having chances, neither was able to convert in the remaining five minutes of the half and the sides went in at halftime with Dublin leading 2-8 to 0-2.

Meath were being crucified from wide positions. Dublin was getting a lot of joy from spreading balls wide to the likes of Rowe and O’Connor. The introduction of Kerrie Cole late on in the half helped slightly as Cole provided a bit of an energy boost to the Meath defence.

Meath came out of the blocks early in the second half with a pointed free from Duggan. Dublin had two goal chances early on as they looked to put the game well beyond Meath but both opportunities were dealt well with by the Meath defence and in particular full back Mary Kate Lynch.

Hannah Tyrell regained Dublin’s halftime lead with her fifth score. Carla Rowe followed that score up with a free to bring her tally to 1-2. Then disaster struck again for the Royals, Monica McGuirk was forced to pull off a great save from Kate Sullivan. Dublin’s second attempt came off the post before eventually Caoimhe O’Connor finished the ball to the net. Aoibhin Cleary tapped one over for Meath.

Dublin’s Ellen Gribben picked up a deserving yellow for a poor challenge on Ella Moyes having only been introduced moments earlier. That didn’t slow down the Dubs as they burst through the Meath defence once more and McGuirk was forced to pull off another great save this time from Niamh Hetherton. Two points in quick succession for Duggan brought the gap back to 13. However, points from Hetherton and Rowe widened the gap to 15 with 10 minutes left in the one-sided contest.

Duggan and Chloe Darby traded scores before Marion Farrelly had a goal opportunity blocked down by Leah Caffery. Duggan claimed the rebound and pointed as she brought her personal to 0-6.

Another goal chance fell the way of Marion Farrelly, this time her shot was hit straight at Abby Shiels. Sub-Nicole Ownes contributed to Dublin's wide margin lead before Hetherton tagged on two more points to increase the gap to 18 points. Niamh Gallogly found a way through the Dublin defence but failed to convert on a goal opportunity right before the sound of the claxton. Dublin ran out easy winners on a very disappointing day for Shane McCormack’s side.

SCORERS

Meath – Emma Duggan 0-6; Ciara Smyth 0-1; Aoibhin Cleary 0-1.

Dublin – Carla Rowe 1-3 three frees; Hannah Tyrrell 0-5; Niamh Hetherton 0-4; Jennifer Dunne 1-0; Caoimhe O’Connor 1-0; Olwen Carey 0-1; Lauren Magee 0-1; Nicole Owens 0-1; Chloe Darby 0-1;

TEAMS

Meath – Monica McGuirk; Ciara Lawlor, Mary Kate Lynch, Nicole Troy; Niamh Gallogly, Lisa Young, Katie Newe; Maire O’Shaughnessy, Aoibhin Cleary; Megan Thynne, Shelly Melia, Ciara Smyth; Ella Moyles, Marion Farrelly, Emma Duggan. Subs – Kerrie Cole for Young 25m, Olivia Gore for Newe 33m, Meadhbh Byrne for Melia 35m, Ailbhe Leahy for Thynne 39m, Aisling McCabe for Moyles (temp sub) 45m, Orlaith Mallon for Leahy 46m.

Dublin – Abby Shiels; Martha Byrne, Leah Caffrey, Niamh Donlon; Sinead Goldrick, Olwen Carey, Lauren Magee; Jennifer Dunne, Jessica Tobin; Caoimhe O’Connor, Orlagh Nolan, Carla Rowe; Hannah Tyrrell, Niamh Hetherton, Kate Sullivan. Subs – Grace Kos for Carey 38m, Ellen Gribben for Nolan 38m, Aoife Kane for Magee 42m, Ownes for Sullivan 43m, Chloe Darby for Goldrick 49m.

Referee – Marion Hayden (Carlow)