THE DUBLIN FOOTBALLERS put the disappointment of last year behind them to become All Ireland Minor champions for the 11th time with a comprehensive six point victory over Meath on Sunday.
The Dubs, who had already beaten Meath in the Leinster final this year, looked comfortable throughout, despite the Royals getting the first score of the game with a free from Fiachra Ward.
However, Dublin took the lead after five minutes with rapid fire points from Niall Walsh and man of the match Cormac Costello.
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It was a lead they held for the rest of the game and added to with points from Eric Lowndes, Shane Carthy and three more from Costello. Meath’s sole reply came from wing-forward Cillian O’Sullivan, giving Dublin a 0-07 to 0-02 lead a half-time.
Dublin increased that lead to six five minutes into the second half through Niall Scully.
This seemed to spark Meath into life and they soon narrowed Dublin’s lead to four points through Fiachra Ward and substitute Patrick Kennelly.
The gap was down to just one point after Kennelly was deemed to be fouled in the area and Ward slotted home the penalty to make it 0-08 – 1-04.
However, Dublin soon regained their stranglehold on the game and scored six unanswered points to secure the win.
Speaking after the game to TV3, Dublin manager Dessie Farrell said: “It It was a very difficult defeat to take last year. There were some of
the same players involved from last year and if anything it spurred us on to great things.
“There were a lot of new players too and we didn’t want to be putting the baggage on them.
“It’s brilliant – it’s for more nerve-wracking than a player. They’ve transformed from boys to men over the season.”
MEATH: Fiachra Ward 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-2f), James McEntee, Cillian O’Sullivan, Patrick Kennelly 0-1 each.
Teams:
DUBLIN: Lorcan Molloy; Emile Mullan, David Byrne, Ross McGowan; Eric Lowndes, Conor Mulally, Maitias MacDonncha; Stephen Cunningham, Shane Carthy; Robert Gaughan, Niall Scully, Niall Walsh; Conor McHugh, Cormac Costello, Gavin Burke. SUBS: Shane Cunningham for Robert Gaughan, Donal Gormley for Gavin Burke, David Campbell for Niall Walsh, Michael Deegan for Niall Scully
MEATH: Robert Burlingham; Ruairí O Coileáin, Brian Power, Shane Gallagher; Declan Smyth, Pádraic Harnan (c), Seamus Lavin; Shane McEntee, Adam Flanagan; Cillian O’Sullivan, Jason Daly, James McEntee; Barry Dardis, Fiachra Ward, Stephan Coogan. SUBS: Patrick Kennelly for Barry Dardis, Harry Rooney for Stephen Coogan, Conor Carton for Declan Smyth, Conor O’Brien for Jason Daly
Dublin too strong for Meath in All-Ireland MFC Final
Dublin 0-14 Meath 1-05
THE DUBLIN FOOTBALLERS put the disappointment of last year behind them to become All Ireland Minor champions for the 11th time with a comprehensive six point victory over Meath on Sunday.
The Dubs, who had already beaten Meath in the Leinster final this year, looked comfortable throughout, despite the Royals getting the first score of the game with a free from Fiachra Ward.
However, Dublin took the lead after five minutes with rapid fire points from Niall Walsh and man of the match Cormac Costello.
It was a lead they held for the rest of the game and added to with points from Eric Lowndes, Shane Carthy and three more from Costello. Meath’s sole reply came from wing-forward Cillian O’Sullivan, giving Dublin a 0-07 to 0-02 lead a half-time.
Dublin increased that lead to six five minutes into the second half through Niall Scully.
This seemed to spark Meath into life and they soon narrowed Dublin’s lead to four points through Fiachra Ward and substitute Patrick Kennelly.
The gap was down to just one point after Kennelly was deemed to be fouled in the area and Ward slotted home the penalty to make it 0-08 – 1-04.
However, Dublin soon regained their stranglehold on the game and scored six unanswered points to secure the win.
Speaking after the game to TV3, Dublin manager Dessie Farrell said: “It It was a very difficult defeat to take last year. There were some of
the same players involved from last year and if anything it spurred us on to great things.
“There were a lot of new players too and we didn’t want to be putting the baggage on them.
“It’s brilliant – it’s for more nerve-wracking than a player. They’ve transformed from boys to men over the season.”
Scorers:
Teams:
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All-Ireland MFC Champions Dublin GAA Meath GAA