Minor footballers progress to Leinster MFL final

Sun, 15th March 2015

Dublin's minor footballers came with a storming finish to snatch a 0-11 to 0-10 victory over Meath in Saturday afternoon's Leinster MFL semi-final at Parnell Park.

The Royals led 0-10 to 0-6 inside the last ten minutes before Dublin kicked five unanswered points to progress to the final where they will face either Kildare or Carlow.

It was a dramatic conclusion to an evenly balanced game but Meath look set for victory before points from Callum Pearson (three frees), sub Shanel Howard and Donal McIlgorm in the dying minutes gave Paddy Christie's side victory.

Indeed McIlgorm brought the sides level in the first minute of injury time and Pearson converted the winning free with the last kick of the match when he slotted over from 25 metres.

Meath had led at half-time 0-4 to 0-3 after playing with the aid of the breeze.

Points from Caolach Halligan and Conor Nash gave Meath an early lead before points from Pearson (free), Stephen Smith and Conor Kelly edged Dublin in front.

However, Meath closed out the half on top with points from Ronan Jones and Padraig McGowan giving them a one point interval lead, 0-4 to 0-3.

There were goal chances at both ends but impressive Meath keeper Jordan Browne denied Dillon Keating from close range in the 14th minute in the lead up to Conor Kelly's point while at the other end Evan Comeford did very well to deny one of Meath's best performers, Caolach Halligan, from close range.

The Meath netminder again showed his brilliant reflexes in the second half when he saved a Stephen Smith effort.

In Leinster MHL action Dublin's minor hurlers defeated Antrim 3-17 to 1-7 in DCU with the goals coming from Seán Dunphy, Brian Dennis and Jack McVeigh while Johnny McGuirk hit 0-5 (0-3f).

SCORERS - Dublin: C Pearson 0-4 (0-4f), S Smith 0-2, C Kelly, D Keating, S Caffrey, S Howard, D McIlgorm 0-1 each. Meath: C Halligan 0-4, P McGowan 0-2, C Nash, T O'Reilly (0-1f), R Jones, A Carey 0-1 each.