SFC - Dublin 0-13 Meath 5-09

Dublin 0-13 Meath 5-09


4 second half goals brought Dublin’s dominance in Leinster Championship football to an abrupt end. Not since Eoin the Bomber Liston in ’78 have we seen such goalmouth destruction.

On a day when everything went wrong for the Dubs Meath also recorded their largest ever championship win over the Dubs. And it could have been so different. Paul Flynn rattled the inside of the upright and saw the ball go across the face of the goal before it was swept up the field for another net buster. Then a number of decisions by the referee went against the Dubs. Barry Cahill incorrectly penalised for bouncing the ball twice and from the resulting free Stephen Bray found the net. Conal Keaney blatantly and dangerously fouled, no free to the Dubs and Cian Ward goalled. Finally a terrible decision not to blow for over carrying , two bounces and changing hands in the lead up to Bray’s 2nd goal. Not to mention the referee refusing to give any advantage to Mossy Quinn who was clearly angry that his goal shot was disallowed and brought back for a close in free.

Crumbs of anger as the Dubs defending was not up to the necessary level. Bray was given the freedom of the field and the Dubs just could not deal with long high balls into the Meath forwards. The Dubs did have plenty of possession and went in at half time level 0-08 to 1-05, Mossy & Bernard in fine scoring form. But the 2nd half goals in front of the Hill rubbed salt into the wounds. In this context the behaviour of two of the Meath goal scorers in gesturing to the Hill was much to be regretted. Any surprise that the Sunday Game didn’t even comment on this disgraceful attitude. Of course not they only follow this line when Dublin forwards are to be criticised.

Also some very angry Dublin supporters who were kept of the Hill waiting for it to open and for some time after the stands were open, for no apparent reason. It is just not good enough.

In the aftermath Pat Gilroy rallied the troops to roll up their sleeves and to get stuck into the qualifiers. This mornings draw sees them play Tipperary at home.

DUBLIN – Stephen Cluxton (Parnells), Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala), Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes), Philip McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams) (Kevin Nolan (Kilmacud Crokes) (55)), Ger Brennan (St. Vincents), Bryan Cullen (Skerries Harps) (0-01), Barry Cahill (St. Brigids), Eamonn Fennell (O’Tooles), Ross McConnell (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER) (Michael McAuley (Ballyboden St. Endas) (50)), Paul Flynn (Fingallians), Alan Brogan (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER), Niall Corkery (Kilmacud Crokes) (David Henry (Raheny) (65)), Conal Keaney (Ballyboden St. Endas) (0-01) (Eoghan O’Gara (Templeogue/SS) (45)), Bernard Brogan (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER) (0-03), Tomás Quinn (St. Vincents) (0-07) (Kevin McManamon (St. Judes) (60) (0-01)). Subs not used: Michael Savage (St. Vincents), Paul Conlon (St. Vincents), Paul Brogan (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER), James Brogan (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER), Kevin Bonner (St. Brigids), Pat Burke (Kilmacud Crokes), Paddy Andrews (St. Brigids), James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams), Diarmuid Connolly (St. Vincents), Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams).
Meath - Brendan Murphy, Chris O’Connor, Kevin Reilly, Eoghan Harrington, Anthony Moyles (Bryan Farrell (65) (1-00)), Gary O’Brien, Caoimhin King (Jamie Queeney (65)), Brian Meade (Conor Gillespie (55)), Mark Ward (Nigel Crawford (45)), Seamus Kenny, Joe Sheridan (1-00), Graham Reilly (0-01), Cian Ward (1-04), Shane O’Rourke (0-03), Stephen Bray (2-01).