Dublin claimed the honors in the minor match but who ws going to claim the silverware when Dublin and Meath squared off in this year’s Leinster senior football final?
We were live from Croke Park to record all the action.
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Dublin are already in the midst of their pre-match warm up while Meath have just taken to the field as well. Here’s all you need to know ahead of today’s game.
Here’s the Dublin team for today’s match.
DUBLIN SF:Stephen Cluxton (Parnells); Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala), Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes), Philly McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams); James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams), Kevin Nolan (Kilmacud Crokes), Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes); Eamon Fennell (St Vincent’s), Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge Street); Paul Flynn (Fingallians), Alan Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh), Bryan Cullen (Skerries Harps); Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh), Michael Darragh MacAuley (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Kevin McManamon (St Jude’s).
And here’s the Meath line-up.
MEATH SF: David Gallagher (St.Peter’s, Dunboyne); Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), Kevin Reilly (Navan O’Mahonys), Mickey Burke (Longwood); Donnacha Tobin (Blackhall Gaels), Shane McAnarney (Clann na nGael), Brian Menton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Conor Gillespie (Summerhill), Brian Meade (Rathkenny); Alan Forde (Navan O’Mahonys), Damien Carroll (Ballinabrackey), Graham Reilly (St.Colmcilles); Brian Farrell (Nobber), Joe Sheridan (Seneschalstown), Stephen Bray (Navan O’Mahony’s).
Two changes in the Dublin side from the semi-final win over Wexford with Cian O’Sullivan and Michael Darragh MacAuley in for Ger Brennan and Diarmuid Connolly. There has been plenty speculation that underage star Ciaran Kilkenny could yet come into the team but no word on that as of yet and interestingly he is not named in the 26 players in the match programme.
Two Meath changes as well from their superb semi-final success against Kildare. Kevin Reilly and Cian Ward bag starting berths instead of Ciaran Lenihan and Cian Ward.
There’s a great atmosphere around Croke Park with a large crowd pouring in. Hill 16 is already full with Dublin fans and the upper tiers of the other stands are all starting to fill up.
The Dublin and Meath teams have just been announced over the PA in Croke Park and there are no changes on either side. There has been a change to the Dublin substitutes though with Ciaran Kilkenny named at number 26 instead of Ross McConnell. He could be a really useful option to bring on.
They may not have been expected to reach this stage in the wake of their league relegation to Division 3 in April and they may be underdogs today but after causing a surprise against Kildare, Meath will be full of confidence entering this clash. Can they replicate the high standards they set against Kildare in that semi-final though?
Dublin are seeking to avenge their Leinster semi-final loss two years ago when they shipped five goals to Meath. They were below-par for long stages against Wexford in the semi-final but there’s plenty scope for improvement in Pat Gilroy’s men and huge class in their line-up.
The march before the game is currently taking place as the teams walk around Croke Park behind the Artane Boys Band. The excitement and tension is building. We’re closing in on throw-in here.
Frenetic stuff early on. Michael Darragh MacAuley as expected playing out the field for Dublin with Alan and Bernard Brogan the duo close to goal. Alan is being picked up by Kevin Reilly with Shane McAnarney marking Bernard.
Dublin 0-1 Meath 0-1: 4 mins – Opening scores registered by both sides. It’s Meath off the mark first with midfielder Graham Reilly cutting through up the middle, steadying himself and arcing over a lovely point. Then Bernard Brogan replies for Dublin with a close-range free after MacAuley is fouled. Blood sub for Dublin sees Craig Dias on for Paul Flynn.
Meath’s Damien Carroll is off target with a point effort and Paul Flynn is now back on for Dublin instead of Dias at wing-forward.
Dublin 0-2 Meath 0-1: 7 mins - Good interplay by Eamonn Fennell and Kevin McManamon sees Dublin move into the lead with McManamon hooking over a left-foot shot to the delight of the fans in Hill 16.
Dublin 0-4 Meath 0-1: 9 mins - He may have been quiet against Wexford but Bernard Brogan looks up for this game. The Dublin attacker makes an intelligent run close to goal, is fed by his brother Alan with a fine pass and converts that opening into a point. Then moments later Bernard is fouled by Kevin Reilly and clips over the resultant free. Meath need to steady themselves in the face of this early onslaught.
First chance for Brian Farrell to convert a free but it’s a tricky opportunity from nearly 45 yards out and the Meath man sees his shot tail wide.
Dublin 0-5 Meath 0-1: 12 mins – Alan Brogan notches Dublin’s latest point after a strong run from deep by James McCarthy created the opening. Plenty hard hitting already but Dublin look more assured in their passing while Cian O’Sullivan has settled well in the half-back line and helped eradicate the difficulties they experienced there against Wexford.
Dublin 0-6 Meath 0-1: 15 mins – Kevin McManamon burns Donal Keoghan for pace down the left wing and the Meath defender has to clip his heels as the St Judes man bares down on goal. A free is awarded and it’s an easy task for Bernard Brogan to register a point. The early signs are not promising for Meath as they’re struggling to win clean ball at midfield and suppress Dublin’s attacks.
Dublin 0-6 Meath 0-2: 17 mins – Meath needed a point to calm their nerves and Brian Farrell supplies it, converting a free after Cian O’Sullivan is deemed to have committed a foul. The gap is down to four now.
Dublin 0-6 Meath 0-3: 18 mins – Much better from Meath. Joe Sheridan fires a brilliant long-range pass into Stephen Bray and after some neat interplay between the forwards, it is Bray who is on hand at the end of the move to avail of the space and swing over a point. They appear to have settled themselves after Dublin’s opening charge.
The Dublin fans are not happy as Bernard Brogan closes in on goal but he is adjudged to have over-carried and a free out is awarded. A let off for Meath as there was a goal chance there after the ball bounced awkwardly for David Gallagher and hit the upright.
Dublin 0-6 Meath 0-4: 24 mins – Brian Farrell wins a free, dusts himself down and taps over a point that leaves Meath only two adrift. The Royals are starting to deal better with Dublin’s attack in cutting out long deliveries, stopping Kevin McManamon from getting up a head of steam when in possession and challenging the runners in support. There’s a change in the Meath defence with Eoghan Harrington in for Kevin Reilly, who looks to have picked up a knock.
Dublin 0-7 Meath 0-4: 25 mins – Alan Brogan grabs a point for Dublin after they had conceded three on the trot to Meath. It’s a fine score as well when he steps in from the left wing. Bryan Menton is now picking up Bernard Brogan following Kevin Reilly’s withdrawal.
Another Meath change with Alan Forde, who has not really featured in this game, coming off as Cian Ward is introduced. Couple of Meath chances at points are spurned as Graham Reilly and Joe Sheridan both rush their shots. At the other end Meath did brilliantly to deny Dublin as they turned over Bernard Brogan in possession and then challenged Kevin McManamon forcing him to shoot wide. A Dublin switch as well with Alan Brogan off and Eoghan O’Gara on. It looks like Brogan has picked up a hamstring injury.
Dublin 0-7 Meath 0-5: 31 mins – That’s a significant blow for Dublin seeing Alan Brogan forced off and they have also just witnessed Brian Farrell curl over a free from close to the Cusack Stand. He’s coping well with the cauldron of noise when kicking frees to remain composed and raise the white flags.
Some excellent defending on both sides see Kevin McManamon and Damien Carroll in quick succession crowded out by opposition defenses and possession is turned over. Dublin had a good chance to point but Paul Flynn skewed his effort wildly off target.
That’s a really bad miss by Meath’s Graham Reilly who was in great space after being picked out by a sublime cross field ball from Cian Ward. Dublin’s play is starting to become somewhat ragged approaching half-time as they cough up possession and produce wayward passes.
HALF-TIME: Dublin 2-7 Meath 0-5: And then Dublin atone for that poor play in dramatic fashion by turning the game on its head with a quick two-goal blast before the break. Firstly Eoghan O’Gara dinks a pass through for Bernard Brogan to coolly slide the ball underneath the body of David Gallagher. Meath are already reeling from the setback when Dublin win the kick out and attack with Paul Flynn playing in midfielder Denis Bastick who finishes wonderfully across Gallagher to see the ball nestling in the far corner of the net.
That’s a remarkable finish to the half. Meath were looking in good shape after recovering from a 0-6 to 0-1 deficit after 17 mins to improve their play and only trail by two points entering injury-time. But then Dublin have pounced for two goals and suddenly there’s an eight-point gap between the sides. It’s tough for Meath to take yet Dublin are now buoyant and their supporters are in full voice as the teams head for the dressing-rooms.
Here are the scorers from the first-half today. We’ll be back shortly for the second-half action.
DUBLIN: Bernard Brogan 1-4 (0-3f), Denis Bastic 1-0, Alan Brogan 0-2, Kevin McManamon 0-1.
MEATH: Brian Farrell 0-3 (0-3f), Graham Reilly, Stephen Bray 0-1 each.
Second-half about to get underway with Meath having made a change at the break as Peadar Byrne is on at half-forward for Damien Carroll.
Dublin 2-8 Meath 0-6: 37 mins – That’s precisely the start Seamus McEnaney would have wanted from his Meath side as Brian Farrell turns Michael Fitzsimons and clips over a point. But Bernard Brogan matches him for attacking trickery by claiming a point instantly at the other end.
Dublin fail to capitalise on a couple of scoring chances with James McCarthy miscuing a pass to Eoghan O’Gara when a goal was on and Bernard Brogan off target with a point shot off his left. But they are still eight points ahead and still look in control.
Dublin 2-8 Meath 0-7: 43 mins – Joe Sheridan drills over a ’45 for Meath but Dublin will be glad to have conceded just a point as it could have been much worse. The ’45 originated after a strong Conor Gillespie run saw him feed Brian Farrell who hit a well-struck shot that produced an outstanding one-handed save by Stephen Cluxton to divert the ball wide. The Parnells man did superbly to get his right hand to that shot. And Dublin are nearly in for a third goal at the other end when they prise open the Meath defence only for Michael Darragh MacAuley to see his left-foot shot cannon off the post with David Gallagher beaten.
Meath look like they will need a goal if they are going to move back into contention here and that Farrell chance was the best they have had in the game.
Substitution for Meath sees Jamie Queeney brought on for Brian Meade.
And a change on the Dublin team sees Paddy Andrews replace Kevin McManamon. Before that Meath player Graham Reilly knocked a really straightforward shot wide. They are the type of chances Meath need to be converting if they are going to get back into this game.
Dublin 2-9 Meath 0-7: 50 mins - Paddy Andrews, who had a sparkling campaign with his club St Brigid’s last year, makes an immediate impression drawing a foul from the Meath defence and Bernard Brogan despatches the resultant free between the posts.
Dublin 2-11 Meath 0-7: 53 mins - Confusion reigns as Eoghan O’Gara bares down on goal and unleashes a shot that screams over the bar. The umpire initially adjudges it to have gone wide but the big screen replay here in Croke Park confirms that it went inside the upright and after consulting with his linesman, referee Marty Duffy orders the white flag to be raised. Dublin follow that up with a lovely point by wing-back James McCarthy. They are ten points up and hold a commanding lead.
Dublin 2-11 Meath 0-8: 54 mins – Brian Farrell pulls one back for Meath as he slots over a free after Jamie Queeney was pulled back by Rory O’Carroll. The Kilmacud Crokes defender is booked for his indiscretion.
Dublin 2-11 Meath 0-9: 56 mins – And another point for Meath, this time wing-back Donncha Tobin blazing the ball over the bar. They look like they will need a goal though as Dublin continue to have that cushion behind them. Pat Gilroy has made another change as Barry Cahill replaces Eamonn Fennell while for Meath, Mark Collins come on for Stephen Bray.
Dublin 2-12 Meath 0-9: 58 mins – Dublin’s substitutes look full of running with Barry Cahill starting the move and Eoghan O’Gara finishing it to curl over a point that extends their advantage to nine points. It is hard to see them being overhauled at this juncture.
Craig Dias on for Dublin instead of Paul Flynn.
Dublin 2-12 Meath 0-10: 60 mins – A silly point for Dublin to give away as a short kick out to Michael Fitzsimons puts him under pressure and after Jamie Queeney challenges him, the Cuala defender commits a foul. Bryan Farrell registers his sixth point of the game to trim the margin.
A half chance for Meath to find the net comes to nothing as Joe Sheridan sees his shot from outside the 20-yard line flash wide.
Dublin 2-12 Meath 0-12: 65 mins – Meath are certainly not giving up. They continue to probe at the Dublin rearguard in search of gaps and Graham Reilly blasts through before smashing the ball over the bar under pressure. Then Bryan Farrell is fouled after great work initially by Jamie Queeney and he taps over a free. The gap is down to six points. Dublin are bringing on Paul Brogan for Bryan Cullen.
A couple of chances for Dublin to soothe any lingering nerves, go astray. Paul Brogan and Michael Darragh MacAuley both see their point efforts fall wide.
Dublin 2-12 Meath 1-12: 67 mins – Goal for Meath and Croke Park comes alive! Jamie Queeney finishes to the net after a move involving Mark Collins, Cian Ward and Brian Farrell. We’re in for an exciting finale.
Dublin 2-13 Meath 1-12: 69 mins – But then Dublin’s attacking talisman steps forward with Bernard Brogan firing over a vital point.
Dublin 2-13 Meath 1-13: 70 mins – Back to three points again when Graham Reilly raises a white flag for Meath. Two minutes of injury time to be played.
FULL-TIME: Dublin 2-13 Meath 1-13: Dublin are the Leinster champions. They survive that period of injury-time with the last act of the game seeing Brian Farrell smash a 30-yard free in the direction of the Dublin goal that Stephen Cluxton does well to hold.
The game concluded in a welter of excitement as Meath cut an eight-point deficit down to three points nearing the finish. Dublin just hung on, having established a sufficient advantage prior to that. The two-goal blast before half-time when Bernard Brogan, who was outstanding today, and Denis Bastic both found the net, defined the game. Meath were always playing catch-up as a result although they fought back admirably in the second-half and kept battling. The goal that arrived late on from Jamie Queeney needed to arrive sooner really if they were to peg Dublin back. That superb second-half save by Stephen Cluxton to deny Brian Farrell as he sought to hit the net, was a critical moment.
Here are the scorers from today’s game.
DUBLIN: Bernard Brogan 1-7 (0-4f), Denis Bastic 1-0, Alan Brogan, Eoghan O’Gara 0-2 each, Kevin McManamon, James McCarthy 0-1 each.
MEATH: Brian Farrell 0-7 (0-6f), Jamie Queeney 1-0, Graham Reilly 0-3, Stephen Bray, Donncha Tobin, Joe Sheridan (0-1 ’45) 0-1 each.
So Dublin join fellow provincial champions Mayo, Cork and Donegal in this year’s All-Ireland senior football quarter-finals. Those games will be played over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Meath may well be joining them at that stage but first they need to overcome the challenge of Laois. That battle in round four of the qualifiers will take place next weekend. For now that it’s from Croke Park. We’ll be back later with analysis and reaction to today’s game. Thanks for joining us on an afternoon when Dublin claimed a Leinster senior and minor football double over Meath.
