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DUBLIN 1-18
MEATH 1-22
Dublin commenced their Dalata Leinster Under 20 Football Championship campaign on a disappointing note when falling to near neighbours Meath by four points in their Group 1 encounter in Ashbourne on Wednesday night.
It was the hosts that took a narrow 0-11 to 1-7 lead into the dressing rooms as they registered no less than four two-pointed scores in the opening half with Dublin staying in touch through Joe Quigley’s 23rd minute goal.
The tightness continued upon the restart with the pivotal moment arriving in the 51st minute as a contentious penalty was awarded to the hosts and Jamie Murphy made no mistake with a precise spot-kick.
On what was an ideal night for football, both teams adopted a positive approach with Dublin eventually taking the lead as Quigley’s shot clipped the crossbar before dropping over in the 4th minute.
While Ben Corkery restored parity soon after, the visitors were quickest to settle with a Paddy Kelly point in the 6th minute preceding a Quigley free from distance.
A jinking Luke O’Boyle score in the 9th minute continued Dublin’s momentum and while Eamonn Armstrong replied for the holders, a Rian Doherty free following a strong run from Quigley left the visitors three points clear.
Meath didn’t take too long to reestablish a foothold in the contest with a fine two-pointed score from midfielder Michael McIvor towards the end of the first quarter eclipsed by an audacious attempt from Jamie Murphy in the 16th minute.
A Pierce Donohue point levelled matters in an instant but the hosts were back in front by the 22nd minute as Murphy curled over a two-pointed free from marginally outside the scoring arc.
Dublin’s response was immediate with O’Boyle leading the charge and a quick transfer of hands allowed Quigley the chance to sidestep and blast home from eight yards.
Cian Commons and Quigley (free) traded points as the entertaining half raced to an end and it was the hosts that enjoyed a slim interval lead courtesy of John Harkin’s two-point score.
Dublin mirrored their strong start in the early stages of the second-half as a levelling point from Doherty was soon followed up by a two-pointed effort from newly introduced substitute Clyde Burke.
However, the free-taking of Murphy ensured that Meath always remained in touch with further scores by Liam Jennings and Rian Stafford cancelling out scores at the opposite end from the lively Quigley and Ryan Mitchell.
The visitors threatened the home goal on numerous occasions but their final pass lacked precision at times and Meath, in the form of Murphy, overtook the Dubs by the end of the third quarter.
While Dublin responded with three points on the bounce through Quigley, Kelly and O’Boyle, the contest changed irrevocably in Meath’s favour in the 51st minute as Darragh Murphy was black carded, with referee Darragh Byrne deeming the challenge worthy of a penalty.
Murphy blasted home with the minimum of fuss and it was fitting that he should have the final word as he converted another two-pointed free in injury time to bring his personal tally to 1-10 by the final whistle.
Scorers – Dublin: J Quigley 1-7 (0-5f); R Doherty (1f), P Kelly, L O’Boyle, C Burke (2pt) 0-2 each; P Donohue, R Mitchell, S Mullarkey (f) 0-1 apiece. Meath: J Murphy 1-10 (2 2pt F, 1 2pt, 0-2f); B Corkery, M McIvor (2pt), R Stafford (1f), J Harkin (2pt) 0-2 each; E Armstrong, C Commons, L Jennings, Z Thornton 0-1 apiece.
Dublin: A Lee; J Brady, D Murphy, S Keogh; J Smith, C McMorrow, R Mitchell; S Ryan, S Hickey; P Kelly, J Quigley, J Brady; P Donohue, R Doherty, L O’Boyle. Subs: C Burke for Keogh (half-time), S Mullarkey for Doherty (42), J McCormack for Hickey (46), D Kettle for Donohue (51), C Emmett for Murphy (62).
Meath: M Kealy; S Jordan, R Early, C O’Hare; T Martyn, J Gormley, F White; E Armstrong, M McIvor; R Stafford, J Harkin, C Commons; B Corkery, J Murphy, L Jennings. Subs: C Yore for O’Hare (35), Z Thornton for Commons (48), H Cahill for Jennings (53),
Referee: Darragh Byrne (Wicklow).