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Report by Aisling Clery Leinster PRO.
TG4 Leinster SFC Rd 1
FT Dublin 2-10 Meath 1-06
Dublin got the defence of their TG4 Leinster crown underway on Easter Saturday with victory against old foes Meath at Páirc Tailteann.
Making her championship debut, Sophie McIntyre hit the net five minutes into the second half and this, along with a first half Hannah Tyrrell penalty proved crucial. Dublin were boosted by the return of four time All Ireland winner Sinéad Goldrick, who recently rejoined the panel.
Meath enjoyed a better second half, moving the ball quicker and running at the Dublin defence, but ultimately they came up short.
In the damp conditions, Dublin were first to strike through a Hannah Tyrrell free in the opening minute. Meath were moving the ball well and a well worked team move sent Marion Farrelly through, but her shot was well saved by Dublin net minder Abby Shiels.
Thereafter, Dublin were stronger in possession and Chloe Darby added a point from play on eleven minutes. Dublin went further ahead when Sinéad Goldrick was brought down in the box and Tyrrell converted the resulting penalty on sixteen minutes. Darby added a further free a minute later and this opened up a 1-3 to no score lead.
Meath seemed to struggle to get the ball into their forward line with Martha Byrne and Aoife Kane marshalling the Dublin defence closely. Vikki Wall got Meath’s first score from a free on twenty-one minutes. This was cancelled out two minutes later by Tyrrell’s second free.
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