Meath beat Dublin in Leinster MFC

Meath claimed the scalp of Dublin in the Leinster MFC this evening at Pairc Tailteann when they recorded a thoroughly deserved victory by 1-13 to 2-8.

This was a real slow burner as far as Meath were concerned, but they gradually took control and were supreme in the second-half.

The opening exchanges were evenly balanced but Dublin were ahead by two points after five minuttes as they took a couple of chances whereas Meath kicked wides.

Liam Dunne and Conor Hennessy sent over for the Dubs while David Bell got Meath off the mark from a ninth minutefree. However, handling errors didn't help the hosts and Dublin got in for a well worked goal by Luke Swan in the 10th minute.

Dublin remained in the ascendancy for the next 15 minutes or so as Meath worked hard, but struggled to make any meaningful impact on the game.

Meath manaaged points from Luke Mitchell (two, one free) and Bryan McCormack as Colin Hawdon made way for Darragh Swaine.

Meath also needed a good save from Sean Brennan, but the rebound was fumbled and Sean Foran sent over for Dublin.

Matthew Costello for Meath and Mark Lavin (Dublin) traded points as the clock ticked towards half-time, but Meath finished with a flourish as points from Mitchell and Luke Kelly tied it up before McCormack finished to the net after taking a pass from MItchell.

That gave Meath a 1-7 to 1-4 interval advantage and a standing ovation as they left the pitch.

Meath were much more fluent in the second-half and added points from MItchell who sent over two frees and one from play while Kelly,

Costello (free) and Bell were also on the mark.

Dublin got in for a goal midway through the half when Swan was rewarded with a scrambled finish while the points arrived from Lavin, Conor Murray, Enda Cashman and substitute Malachy Codd, but it wasn't enough to deprive the Royals.

Meath play Louth next Wednesday night in Drogheda.

Meath - Sean Brennan (Dunderry); James O'Hare (Rathkenny), Harry O'Higgins (Round Towers), Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown); Conor Farrelly (Walterstown), Conor Harford (St Vincent's), Sean Coffey (Ballinabrackey); Adam Reilly (Moynalty), Cian McBride (St Ultan's); Matthew Costello (Dunshaughlin 0-2 one free), Luke Kelly (Na Fianna 0-2), Colin Hawdon (Oldcastle); David Bell (St Colmcille's 0-2 one free), Luke Mitchell (Dunshaughlin 0-6 four frees), Brian McCormack (Moynalty 1-1).

Subs - Darragh Swaine (Clann na nGale) for Hawdon 22 mins; Brian O'Hanlon for Bell 48m, Dylan Morgan (Round Towers) for McCormack, Joe Moore (Seneschalstown) for Kelly 58m, Oisin McCloskey (Na Fianna) for O'Hare.

Dublin - S Murphy; J Bannon, A Fearon, A Rafter; R Dwyer, L Dunne (0-1), M Lavin (0-2 two frees); E Adamson, M O'Leary; C Murray (0-1), E Cashman (0-1), C Hennessy (0-1); M Dunne, L Swan (2-0), S Foran (0-1).

Subs - C McManus for Dunne, M Grogan for Hennessy, S Guiden for Murray, C O'Brien for Fearon, M Codd (0-1) for Adamson.

Referee - Brendan Cawley (Kildare).

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