Semi-final exit for Meath minor footballers
Dublin advanced to the final of the Leinster MFL with a merited 1-13 to 1-7 victory over Meath at Parnell Park this afternoon.
Dublin made a positive start and had the ball in the Meath net as early as the fourth minute when Conor Hynes finished well as the hosts dominated the opening exchanges.
Further points from Hynes and Tom Keane extended a physically stronger-looking Dublin side's advantage.
Meath knuckled down to the challenge and were unlucky not to find the net soon after when Carnaross player Frank O'Reilly was denied a goal by a fine save by Dulin custodian Evan Comerford.
However, Meath were rewarded with a goal from Oldcastle's Jason Scully in the 12th minute after a fine pass from Moylagh's Sean Reilly.
Dublin countered with points from Cormac Howley and Ross McGarry (free), but they were hauled back by a determined Meath team in which Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch and Eoin Smyth were prominent.
Points by Scully, O'Reilly (free), Eanna Mooney and O'Kelly-Lynch drew the sides level by the 25th minute.
However, Dublin found another gear and added points from McGarry (two) and Keane for a 1-7 to 1-4 interval advantage.
Moynalvey's Adam Murphy was introduced at centre-back for the second-half with O'Kelly-Lynch moving to wing-back as Oisin Martin was withdrawn. Conor O'Byrne for Meath and McGarry for Dublin traded early second-half points with Conor Lennon for Dublin and Scully also exchanging points by the end of the third-quarter as the Royals lost Frank O'Reilly to a second yellow card.
Substitute Conal Aherne split the posts to make it a two-point game (1-7 to 1-9) with with 13 minutes remaining, but that was Meath's last score and they were unable to reduce the deficit any further.
Dublin were comfortably able to counter with a Mark Donnelly point and although Meath worked tirelessly for the remainder, the hosts always had the edge.
Ethan Devine had a goalbound shot well saved in the closing stages as Meath went in search of an equaliser, but as if reacting to that let-off, Dublin finished with a little flourish andHowley sent over a brace of late points while goalkeeper Comerford converted a '45' with the last action of the half.
Dublin – E Comerford (0-1 '45'); M Tighe, R Shaw, CJ Smith; C Lennon (0-1), N Doran, A Bradshaw; M Donnelly (0-1), N Nolan; K Murray, C Howley (0-3), J Madden; T Keane (0-2),C Hynes (1-1), R McGarry (0-4 two frees). Subs – J Holland for Shaw 27 mins, A Kelly for Nolan 38m, E Fitzpatrick for Donnelly 51m, D Lacey for Hynes 54m, J Doran for Bradshaw 59m.
Meath - Dean Reddy (Skryne); James Cassidy (Moynalty), Daniel Devine (Na Fianna), Robbie Clarke (Skryne); Oisin Martin (Dunderry), Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch (Wolfe Tones 0-1), Sean Reilly (Moylagh); Cian O'Neill (Wolfe Tones), Brian Joyce (Curraha); Eoin Smyth (Skryne), Cian O'Reilly (Carnaross), Eanna Mooney (Slane 0-1); Conor O'Byrne (St Colmcille's 0-1 free),Frank O'Reilly (Carnaross 0-1 free), Jason Scully (Oldcastle 1-2).
Subs – Ethan Devine (Na Fianna) for Joyce 21 mins, Adam Murphy (Moynalvey) for Martin half-time, Darragh Nolan (Dunboyne) for C O'Reilly 40m, Conal Aherne (Ratoath 0-1) for Mooney 44m, NiallDurkin (Boardsmill) for O'Neill and James Conlon (St Colmcille's) for O'Byrne 54m, Kevin Gilsenan (St Brigid's) for Smyth 57m.