Flashbacks: Dublin v Meath SFC/NFL

Dublin and Meath meet for the 64th time in senior football championship action this Sunday in Croke Park (7.0).

Dublin's record currently stands at 36 victories, 19 loses and eight draws in SFC games against Meath.

They last clashed in championship action in June of last year in the Leinster decider with Dublin lifting the Delaney Cup.

They most recently met in league action - just a month ago with the Dubs eventually prevailing by four points.

Last year they also came face-to-face in an O'Byrne Cup semi-final - Dublin winning on penalties.

Meath's last championship victory was in 2010 when they won 5-9 to 0-13 in Croke Park.

Dublin have overcome Westmeath and Laois to reach Saturday's provincial decider while Meath have beaten Wicklow and Kildare.

Here we look back at the counties most recent meetings.

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2020 FL DIVISION 1 ROUND 6

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17: Parnell Park

DUBLIN 1-20 MEATH 0-19

A historic night at Parnell Park to mark the restart of intercounty action as Dublin held off a defiant Meath at the Donnycarney venue in Round 6 of the Football League Division 1.

Two all-time Dublin senior football records were broken on Saturday night with Dean Rock surpassing Jimmy Keaveney as the county’s top scorer (combined NFL and SFC).

Jimmy Keaveney (30-402, 104 games) had held the record since his decorated playing days in the 1970s but Rock’s 1-8 on Saturday night saw him move to a tally of 17-450 (95 games).

Stephen Cluxton broke the record held by Johnny McDonnell as the county's longest serving footballer at senior level.

Johnny's career spanned from mid July 1919 to late May 1938 and on Saturday night Cluxton added that record to his incredible collection having first feature for the seniors in the summer of 2001.

It was a mixed display from Dessie Farrell’s men – opening very brightly, leading by seven points after 25 minutes but having to battle to the finish to see off Meath who got within a point by the eighth minute of the second half.

Dublin opened impressively to lead 1-4 to 0-1 inside ten minutes after Shane Walsh had opened the scoring for the Royal County.

Dean Rock’s eighth minute goal, after being played through on the ground by club-mate Paddy Small, saw him break Jimmy Keaveney’s record and he added two points soon after with Con O’Callaghan and Ciarán Kilkenny Dublin’s other scorers.

Dublin’s other record-breaker, Stephen Cluxton, had a busy enough night as Meath put pressure on his kickouts to good effect at times while he showed great alertness on several occasions as Meath threatened to strike for goal including late in the opening half when he denied Cathal Hickey from close range.

Paddy Small kicked two fine first half points for Dublin with Brian Fenton doing well at midfield but it was their opponents who concluded the first half on the up with four converted frees in-a-row from Thomas O’Reilly to leave it 1-10 to 0-10 at half-time.

A stylish left-footed point from Brian Fenton within a minute of the restart moved Dublin four clear but Meath were very much in contention following points from Cillian O'Sullivan and Thomas O'Reilly (both frees) as well as another from Shane Walsh.

Walsh went close to goaling for Meath in the 47th minute but his shot from close range hit the side-netting.

It was a let off for the Dubs and four converted Dean Rock frees over the next ten minutes helped them regain their clear goal advantage.

Dublin had introduced Brian Howard, who brought ball-winning ability and industry to the middle third and with Con O'Callaghan and Ciarán Kilkenny both kicking two points over the close of the game, Con showing great determination to keep the ball in play for his team-mate's fourth point of the night, they secured both league points.

SCORERS - Dublin: D Rock 1-8 (0-5f), C O’Callaghan C Kilkenny 0-4 (0-1m) 0-4 each, B Fenton, P Small 0-2 each. Meath: T O’Reilly 0-6 (0-6f), S Walsh 0-4, C O’Sullivan 0-3 (0-2f), J Morris 0-2, B Menton, E Harkin, B Conlon, J Conlon 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, D Byrne, C Murphy; J Cooper, J Small, R McDaid; B Fenton, E Ó Conghaile; E Lowndes, C Kilkenny, N Scully; P Small, C O’Callaghan, D Rock. Subs: E Murchan for Cooper (46), B Howard for O Conghaile (48), C O’Sullivan for J Small (53), A Byrne for P Small (62), S Bugler for Lowndes (70).

MEATH: M Brennan; D Toner, J McEntee, E Harkin, C Hickey, G McCoy, D Keogan; B Menton, R Jones; S McEntee, J Scully, E Devine; S Walsh, C O’Sullivan, T O’Reilly. Subs: J Morris for Devine (30), B Conlon for McCoy (39), D Campion for Scully (53), J Conlon for Walsh (60), D Lenihan for O’Reilly (66).

REF: B Cawley (Kildare).

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2019 LEINSTER SFC FINAL

SUNDAY, JUNE 23: Croke Park
DUBLIN 1-17 MEATH 0-4

Dublin footballers made history when becoming the first county to win nine provincial senior men's championship titles in-a-row when defeating Meath in this Leinster SFC final at Croke Park in front of an attendance of 47,027.
The Dubs were by far the slicker and more clinical side as they turned possession into scores, however, the first half injury sustained by James McCarthy cast a shadow over Dublin's victory.
In a peculiar opening half both sides took time to settle before Ciarán Kilkenny opened the scoring in the 12th minute.
Flying wing-back Jack McCaffrey torched his way through the Meath defence to fire over as Dublin began to move into gear.
Cormac Costello converted a '45' before points from Paul Mannion and Brian Howard made it 0-5 to 0-0 after 24 minutes.
Mannion's score underlined Dublin's threat when going direct as Stephen Cluxton found Philly McMahon at midfield on the Cusack Stand side with a superb clearance, he in turn found Mannion one-on-one in the right corner and the Kilmacud Crokes man did the rest in trademark fashion.
Dublin missed a penalty in the 26th minute when Mannion hit the butt of the post at the Hill 16 end after Con O'Callaghan had been fouled.
In the 33rd minute Bryan Menton eventually got the Royals off the mark with a point after they had squandered several frees and opportunities from open play earlier in the half.
After leading 0-5 to 0-1 at the break Jack McCaffrey was not long in the second half showing his pace again, this time fisted over after angling through on goal.
Cormac Costello converted frees either side of a Mickey Newman free for Meatth.
Dublin then began to put the outcome out of sight with points from Philly McMahon, an excellent Mannion strike with Brian Fenton, Mannion again, Dean Rock and Paddy Andrews all on target.
Rock tallied 0-4 (0-1f) after being introduced in the 51st minute for Brian Howard.
With two minutes of normal time to play, slick interplay between Kevin McManamon and Dean Rock released Con O'Callaghan who drilled a shot low to the corner of Andrew Colgan's net for the only goal of the game.
SCORERS - Dublin: D Rock 0-4 (0-1f), C O'Callaghan 1-0, C Costello (0-2f, 0-1 '45'), P Mannion 0-3 each, J McCaffrey 0-2, C Kilkenny, B Howard, P McMahon, B Fenton, P Andrews 0-1 each. Meath: M Newman 0-3 (0-1f), B Menton 0-1.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; P McMahon, M Fitzsimons, J McCaffrey; D Byrne, C O'Sullivan, J Small; B Fenton, J McCarthy; N Scully, C Kilkenny, B Howard; C Costello, P Mannion, C O'Callaghan. Subs: MD Macauley for McCarthy (32), D Rock for Howard (51), K McManamon for Costello (58), P Small for Kilkenny (61), P Andrews for P Small (64), R O'Carroll for McCaffrey (67).
MEATH: A Colgan; S Lavin, C McGill, S Gallagher; J McEntee, D Keogan, R Ryan; B Menton, S McEntee; C O'Sullivan, B McMahon, G Reilly; B Brennan, J Conlon, M Newman. Subs: S Tobin for Brennan (38), E Devine for Reilly (40), T O'Reilly for Conlon (53), B Dardis S McEntee (58), S Curran for Gallagher (65), T McGovern for McMahon (65).
REF: S Hurson (Tyrone).

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2019 O'BYRNE CUP SEMI-FINAL
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12: Parnell Park
DUBLIN 1-12 MEATH 1-12 (Dublin won 3-1 on penalties)

Dublin qualified for the O'Byrne Cup final in dramatic circumstances at Parnell Park in front of an attendance of close to 7,000.
This experimental Dublin side went on to face eventual champions Westmeath in the final at Parnell Park.
After a frenetic finish in normal time that concluded with Meath freetaker Mikey Newman converting a free to force penalties the drama continued with Seán Tobin the only one of the Royal County's penalty-takers to be successful as Mickey Newman and goalkeeper Barry Dardis shot over the bar while Thomas O'Reilly's effort was saved by Andy Bunyan.
Dublin were clinical with all three takers Aaron Byrne, Oisín Lynch and Conor McHugh successful from the spot.
Meath, backed by the wind, started the better with early points from Daragh Campion, Ben Brennan and Mickey Newman (mark) with Oisín Lynch Dublin's only scorer.
Meath struck for their goal in the eighth minute when Barry Dardis' kickout was flicked on strongly from midfield and Dublin found themselves totally on the backfoot as their opponents worked an overlap well for Graham Reilly to fire past Bunyan to make it 1-3 to 0-2.
Dublin rallied well with points from Lynch, a stylish point with the outside of the right boot, and a Stephen Smith free.
As the half progressed Dublin's new-look team grew into the game with the likes of Robbie McDaid and Darren Gavin giving them a foothold in the contest.
Points from Smith and Seán Bugler followed to make it 1-5 to 0-6 with ten minutes remaining in the half.
The Dubs, managed by senior selector Paul Clarke on the night, concluded the half in impressive fashion.
In the 34th minute a well weighted handpass from Nathan Doran put Bugler in behind the Meath full-back line and the St Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh man set up Robbie McDaid who swept the ball to the net and by the break the sides were level after Ryan Basquel kicked the first of his four fine points from play overall.
Points from Aaron Byrne and Basquel had Dublin 1-10 to 1-9 in front at the three-quarter mark and after the game went a bit flat for a short spell it finished with a flurry of excitement.
Seán McMahon and Conor McHugh both scored great individual points for the Dubs but deep in injury-time Newman converted a close range free to force penalties.
SCORERS - Dublin: R Basquel 0-4, R McDaid 1-0, O Lynch, S Smith (0-2f) 0-2 each, A Byrne, S Bugler, C McHugh, S McMahon 0-1 each. Meath: M Newman 0-5 (0-4f, 0-1 mark), G Reilly 1-2, D Campion 0-3, B Brennan, J Conlon 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: A Bunyan; N Doran, S McMahon, CJ Smith; C O'Connor, C Mullaly, R McDaid; D Gavin, C Howley; R Basquel, A Byrne, S Bugler; S Smith, C Pearson, O Lynch. Subs: C McHugh for S Smith (46), C Reddin for Howley (46), A McGowan for Byrne (53), S Boland for Doran (53), G Seaver for Basquel (64), J Hazley for Bugler (71).
MEATH: B Dardis; S Lavin, C McGill, R Ryan; J McEntee, D Keogan, N Kane; B Menton, A Flanagan; N Hickey, B Brennan, D Quinn; D Campion, M Newman, T O'Reilly. Subs: G Reilly for Hickey (blood sub, 10), Hickey for Reilly (23), Reilly for Hickey (ht), M Brennan for Dardis (ht), G McCoy for Quinn (ht), S Tobin for B Brennan (49), J Conlon for Campion (64).
REF: F Kelly (Longford).

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2016 LEINSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL
SUNDAY, JUNE 26: Croke Park
DUBLIN 0-21 MEATH 0-11

Dublin strode into another Leinster final, where they went on to face Westmeath, following this comfortable provincial semi-final win over Meath at Croke Park.
Like in their quarter-final victory over Laois the accuracy of Dean Rock and Diarmuid Connolly was central to Dublin's victory against a defensive-minded Royal County.
Meath started the better and led 0-3 to 0-1 inside ten minutes they also had an early goal-scoring opportunity but first Stephen Cluxton and then David Byrne denied Dalton McDonagh.
Goal-scoring chances were few and far between as Meath deployed Pádraic Harnan in front of their own full-back line to cut out the shortest route to goal.
It was a tactic that was successful in denying the Dubs of a goal for the game but Meath failed up front to really cause Dublin too many problems after their early scoring flurry - they only scored three points in the second half with the last of these coming from sub Ronan Jones deep in injury-time.
After their slow start two Dean Rock frees in the 12th and 14th minute had Dublin level before great interplay culminated in a fine Brian Fenton point to put Dublin ahead.
Dublin continued to hold the upperhand but at times were struggling to show their usual accuracy into a difficult wind.
Points from Paul Flynn, following good work by Connolly and Kevin McManamon, and Bernard Brogan nosed Dublin 0-7 to 0-4 clear by the 23rd minute.
By the interval Dublin led 0-11 to 0-8 and looked comfortable enough with wind advantage to come.
Dublin restarted well with two Rock points, one a free, and before the midpoint of the half further scores from Brogan and two more from Rock, the second a free following a foul on Paul Flynn had Jim Gavin's men 0-16 to 0-9 clear by the 50th minute.
SCORERS - Dublin: D Rock 0-10 (0-9f), D Connolly 0-4, B Brogan 0-3, P Flynn 0-2, P Mannion, B Fenton 0-1 each. Meath: M Newman 0-4 (0-3f), G Reilly 0-3, C O'Sullivan 0-2 (0-1f), E Wallace, R Jones 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; P McMahon, J Cooper, D Byrne; J McCarthy, C O'Sullivan, J Small; B Fenton, D Bastick; P Flynn, K McManamon, C Kilkenny; D Rock, D Connolly, B Brogan. Subs: MD Macauley for Bastick (ht), P Mannion for Brogan (53), P Andrews for McManamon (58), E Lowndes for Small (60), M Fitzsimons for O'Sullivan (63), C O'Callaghan for Flynn (67).
MEATH: P O'Rourke; D Tobin, D Keogan, M Burke; D Smyth, P Harnan, A Douglas; H Rooney, C O'Brien, G Reilly, C O'Sullivan, E Wallace; D McDonagh, A Tormey, M Newman. Subs: R Jones for Tormey (53), S Lavin for E Wallace (54),S Tobin for McDonagh (60), J Wallace for Reilly (63), C Finn for Douglas (67), B McMahon for O'Sullivan (67).
REF: R Hickey (Clare).

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2014 LEINSTER SFC FINAL
SUNDAY, JULY 20: Croke Park
DUBLIN 3-20 MEATH 1-10

Dublin's dominance of the Leinster SFC continued when defeating Meath by 16 points in the 2014 provincial decider at Croke Park.
Victory secured Dublin's fourth Delaney Cup in-a-row as they defeated Meath in the final for the third time in succession.
Dublin looked like they meant business from the first whistle and led 0-5 to 0-1 inside 16 minutes.
While the Dublin forwards were finding their feet up front the defence looked secure to blunt any early Meath forays.
Dublin's first goal in the 19th minute had an element of good fortune to it when man of the match, Kevin McManamon's, point effort hit an upright before being gathered by Bernard Brogan who finished to the net at the second attempt.
The Dubs also finished the half on top with Bernard Brogan (free) and three points from the energetic McManamon opening up a 1-12 to 0-6 lead by the break.
The first of this trio of McManamon scores typified Dublin's hold on the game as Michael Fitzsimons did very well in defence to win possession which was swept forward quickly as Dublin's maximised the superiority in terms of pace to carve out scoring opportunities.
Five minutes into the second half McManamon was tormenting the Meath defence again when he powered his way past Pádraic Harnan before clinically finishing to the net past Paddy O'Rourke - Dublin 2-13 to Meath 0-7.
There was to be no way back for Mick O'Dowd's men with Bernard Brogan, Jack McCaffrey and Paul Flynn tagging on points to see their side accelerate almost out of sight, 2-16 to 0-7.
The introduction of the likes of Dean Rock, Cormac Costello and Eoghan O'Gara did nothing to lessen the Dublin cause, in fact, all three especially O'Gara and Costello proceeded to make valuable contributions as Dublin strode to victory.
SCORERS - Dublin: B Brogan 1-6 (0-4f), K McManamon 1-5, E O'Gara 1-1, S Cluxton (0-1 '45'), J McCaffrey, C O'Sullivan, P Flynn, A Brogan, D Connolly, C Costello, D Rock 0-1 each. Meath: M Newman 1-2 (0-1f), A Tormey, S Bray, S O'Rourke (0-2f) 0-2 each, D Bray, D Carroll 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; P McMahon, R O'Carroll, M Fitzsimons; J McCarthy, M Devereux, J McCaffrey; MD Macauley, C O'Sullivan; P Flynn, A Brogan, D Connolly; K McManamon, P Mannion, B Brogan. Subs: C Costello for Mannion (ht), D Rock for Connolly (42), E O'Gara for A Brogan (49), D Daly for Devereux (59), D Bastick for Macauley (59), T Brady for O'Sullivan (69).
MEATH: P O'Rourke; E Harrington, K Reilly, B Menton; P Harnan, D Keogan, D Tobin; G Reilly, S O'Rourke; D Carroll, B McMahon, A Tormey; D McDonagh, S Bray, M Newman. Subs: J Wallace for G Reilly (32), M Burke for Carroll (ht), D Bray for McDonagh (46), B Meade for S O'Rourke (46), J McEntee for McMahon (53), P Gilsenan for Tobin (71).
REF: P Hughes (Armagh).

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2013 LEINSTER SFC FINAL
SUNDAY, JULY 14: Croke Park
DUBLIN 2-15 MEATH 0-14

Dublin lifted the Delaney Cup for the eighth time in nine seasons after a second half power-play saw them overcome Meath by seven points at GAA Headquarters.
Mick O'Dowd's Meath put in a real gutsy display and exposed some possible chinks in Dublin's armour, especially in their full-back line which was tormented at times by Stephen Bray and Mickey Newman.
Dublin trailed by two points at the break but Jim Gavin had Ciarán Kilkenny, who ended the game with 34 possessions, and Paul Mannion, who scored 1-4, to thank for grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck in the second period to inspire the Dubs to yet another provincial success.
The Royals got off to a lightning start with Stephen Bray twice shrugging off Rory O’Carroll to score a brace.
Paul Mannion opened Dublin’s account with a fine left-footed score as the game got off to a promising opening.
It took four minutes for Dublin to find the net with the subtlety of Mannion setting up Paul Flynn to blast to the roof of the net.
Mick O’Dowd’s side were competitive, especially in the middle third, but poor shooting from frees and play was not aiding their chances.
The Royal County could have had a goal in the 14th minute when Stephen Bray sent Damien Carroll in one-on-one with Stephen Cluxton but he blasted wide from a difficult angle.
Meath were punished by points from Diarmuid Connolly and the lively Mannion.
Mickey Newman finally found his range at the third time of asking with a free he earned himself.
Diarmuid Connolly nearly gave the Blues the perfect reply but his shot was saved by the feet of Paddy O’Rourke although Stephen Cluxton did kick over the resultant '45'.
Eamonn Wallace showed his pace to beat Johnny Cooper and fist over to make it 1-4 to 0-4 after 24 minutes.
Jack McCaffrey was harshly penalised for what looked like a legitimate shoulder and Mickey Newman made it a two-point game.
Newman was continuing to find his feet and points from play and a free were followed by a second point from Wallace and the Royals were in front.
A fifth Newman point from well outside the Dublin 45-metre line and Meath led by 0-9 to 1-4 at the interval.
The Royals lead was completely eroded within two minutes of the restart with Bernard Brogan and Ciaran Kilkenny adding points for the reigning provincial champions.
A tremendous effort on his weaker left foot from Paul Flynn had the Dubs back in front by the 38th minute.
Mickey Newman equalised with his first free into Hill 16 but that point was immediately responded to by a fine point from Ciaran Kilkenny who was set up by the flying wing-back combination of James McCarthy and Jack McCaffrey.
Kilkenny’s third point of the half in the 41st minute doubled Dublin’s advantage.
Brian Meade sliced over his first point before Mickey Newman sold two beautiful dummies before kicking over with his left foot for the point if the game to restore parity.
Cluxton’s second free edged Gavin’s men in front on 45 minutes and then he was on-hand to deny Eamonn Wallace a goal two minutes later.
Paul Mannion’s free had Dublin two in front and they almost had a goal when sub Kevin McManamon sent Jack McCaffrey through on goal but he blasted the ball against the crossbar.
Mannion got another from play to make it 1-12 to 0-12 with 16 minutes remaining.
Diarmuid Connolly had an effort cleared off the line before Stephen Bray had a shot saved by Stephen Cluxton.
Mickey Newman had a goal chance but opted to kick his eighth point of the afternoon but that was cancelled out by Stephen Cluxton’s third point of the afternoon.
Dublin had been knocking on the door and finally struck for their second goal on the hour mark after Paddy O’Rourke saved Kevin O'Brien’s effort but the ball fell for Paul Mannion to soccer-style to the net.
A sublime team score finished off by Dean Rock made it 2-14 to 0-13 with eight minutes remaining
SCORERS - Dublin: P Mannion 1-4 (0-2f), P Flynn 1-1, C Kilkenny, S Cluxton (0-2f, 0-1 '45') 0-3 each, D Rock 0-2 (0-1f) D Connolly, B Brogan (0-1f) 0-1 each. Meath: M Newman 0-8 (0-5f), E Wallace, S Bray 0-2 each, B Meade, J Sheridan 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; J Cooper, R O’Carroll, K O’Brien; J McCarthy, G Brennan, J McCaffrey; MD MacAuley, C O’Sullivan; P Flynn, C Kilkenny, D Connolly; P Mannion, E O’Gara, B Brogan. Subs: K McManamon for B Brogan (16-18), K McManamon for O’Gara (46), D Bastick for O’Sullivan (46), D Daly for Brennan (57), D Rock for B Brogan (60), B Cullen for Connolly (65).
MEATH: P O’Rourke; D Keogan, K Reilly, M Burke; P Harnan, S Kenny, B Menton; B Meade, C Gillespie; P Byrne, D Carroll, G Reilly; E Wallace, S Bray, M Newman. Subs: C Lennon for Kenny (49), J Sheridan for Carroll (52), A Tormey for Meade (60), D McDonagh for Wallace (65).
REF: E Kinsella (Laois).