Goals the difference for minor footballers

DUBLIN 2-9 MEATH 0-11

Dublin moved through the gears in the second-half to claim a welcome four point success over neighbours Meath in their Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship Group 2 Round 2 encounter at Páirc Tailteann on Wednesday evening.

The Dubs trailed by 0-5 to 1-1 at the break but took control of matters in the second-half with Noah Byrne’s excellent goal within three minutes of the resumption leading to a period of dominance from the visitors.

A string of four unanswered points towards the end of the third quarter, including two sumptuous efforts from midfielder Senan Ryan, were crucial in giving Dublin a sufficient buffer to withstand some late home pressure.

The visitors played against the elements in the opening-half and similar to the previous week against Louth, they made a dream start as a well-worked move culminated in Paddy Curry firing home in the 4^th minute.

Chances proved at a premium for Dublin in the opening half as Meath gradually settled thanks to points from John Harkin (free) and Ben Corkery before Curry notched Dublin’s first point of the half at the start of the second quarter.

It proved their final score of the half as another Harkin free and two points from Pat Crawley ensured the hosts entered the break leading by the bare minimum.

The Dubs took little time in levelling matters as Byrne popped over and the Kilmacud Crokes player added a cracking goal two minutes later to leave the visitors well placed.

David Donnelly replied with a point for Meath, which was immediately cancelled out by a Lenny Cahill free at the opposite end, before Michael McIvor restored Meath’s deficit to just three points by the 37^th minute.

However, it proved a false dawn for Meath as Dublin dominated the next eight minutes with Ryan’s brace augmented by further scores from Harry Curley and Joshua Young.

McIvor brought an end to Dublin’s purple patch when pointing in the 53^rd minute but Dublin kept their own scoreboard ticking over through Young and Cahill as points from Andrew Gormley and Cian Commons proved of mere consolation to Meath by the final whistle.

With Louth defeating Westmeath in Ardee, Dublin’s progress from the group is confirmed as they finish up the group stages against the Lake County in Parnell Park in a fortnight’s time.

Scorers – Dublin: P Curry, N Byrne 1-1 each, L Cahill (1f), S Ryan, J Young 0-2 each, H Curley 0-1. Meath: J Harkin (2f), P Crawley, M McIvor, A Gormley 0-2 each, B Corkery, D Donnelly, C Commons 0-1 apiece.

Dublin: C Murray; S Keogh, C Emmet, J O’Sullivan; J Young, E Costello, R Mitchell; S Ryan, A Carolan; P Coleman, L O’Boyle, N Byrne; L Cahill, H Curley, P Curry. Subs: A O’Reilly for Carolan (33), C McAweeney for O’Boyle (50), C Johnston for Curry (51), A Rock for Young (58), B Kennedy for Byrne (61).

Meath: B Colfer; O Maloney, P White, J Gormley; C Duggan, T Sheridan, E Armstrong; C Commons, O Yore; P Crawley, B Corkery, T Lenehan; J Harkin, O O’Neill, C Liggan. Subs: D Donnelly for Yore (13), M McIvor for Duggan (36), B Smyth for Harkin (37), N Maguire for Maloney (41), R Crawley for Corkery (43).

Referee: Enda Kelly (Westmeath).