Big crowd see Meath beat Dublin in Páirc Tailteann 2.05 to 0.07
First-half goals from Meadhbh Byrne and Marion Farrelly were crucial at Pairc Tailteann in Navan on Sunday as Meath got the better of provincial rivals Dublin to make it two wins from two in Division 1 of the Lidl National Football League.
In the battle of the last two TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship winners, Meath built on last weekend’s impressive triumph against Mayo to maintain their 100% start to the 2024 season. Carla Rowe contributed 0-4 for Dublin on her return to the first 15, but the Jackie's search for a first victory in the calendar year will continue into round three of the top-tier.
After Ciara Smyth traded points in the early exchanges with Dublin’s Ellen Gribben, excellent approach work from two-time TG4 All Star Emma Duggan provided the platform for Meadhbh Byrne to slot a low shot to the opposition net in the sixth-minute.
Duggan subsequently extended the home team’s advantage with a superb point from play and after full-forward Farrelly coolly grabbed their second goal of the contest, the Royals found themselves seven points in front (2-2 to 0-1) heading towards the first-quarter mark.
Carla Rowe (free) and marauding half-back Martha Byrne did find the target for Dublin either side of a Duggan free as the play progressed, but despite losing Niamh Gallogly to the sin-bin on 27 minutes, the Royals brought a 2-3 to 0-3 buffer into the interval.
While Dublin were playing with the aid of a breeze in the second half, it wasn’t until nine minutes after the resumption that they added their next score. After a uncharacteristic miss from a free, it was another free from Rowe that got them back up and running. The Dublin skipper converting another placed ball effort moments later, this game was still very much up for grabs.
Although Danielle Lawless and Ashling Nyhan joined half-time substitute Kate Sullivan on the field of play as Dublin attempted to turn the screw, Meath’s nerves were settled when Duggan knocked over a free on 52 minutes. Ailbhe Leahy came on for Meadhbh Byrne on 53 minutes and Meath continued to hold the Dublin attack at bay. The defense played a huge part in the game as time and time again Dublin looked set to score when an intervention by the back line prevented it. Meath rolled in the subs for tired limbs with Tori Foster replacing Shelly Melia Ciara Lawlor for Aoibhín Cleary and Orlaith Mallon for Megan Thynne.
Rowe’s fourth free of the afternoon kept the All Ireland champions in the hunt during a tense finish to the action, only for a Farrelly free to offer the Royals ample breathing space in advance of a late point by Dublin’s Kate Murray.
A deserved victory for Meath who now plan for Waterford next week while Dublin visit Mayo.
Scorers – Meath: M Farrelly 1-1 (0-1f), E Duggan 0-3 (2f), M Byrne 1-0, C Smyth 0-1. Dublin: C Rowe 0-4 (4f), M Byrne, E Gribben, K Murray 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: A Shiels; N Crowley, L Caffrey, N Donlon; L Magee, M Byrne, H Hegarty; N Hetherton, O Carey; C O’Connor, O Nolan, J Egan; A Timothy, C Rowe, E Gribben. Subs: K Sullivan for Egan (h-t), D Lawless for Hegarty, A Nyhan for Timothy (both 49), K Murray for Nolan (54), C Darby for Carey (63).
MEATH: Monica McGuirk; Katie Newe, Aine Sheridan, Nicole Troy; Niamh Gallogly, Mary Kate Lynch, Aoibhín Cleary; Máire O’Shaughnessy, Shelly Melia; Megan Thynne, Emma Moyles, Ciara Smyth; Meadhbh Byrne, Marion Farrelly, Emma Duggan. Subs: Ailbhe Leahy for Byrne (53), Tori Foster for Melia (55), Ciara Lawlor for Cleary (61), Orlaith Mallon for Thynne (64).
Referee: Gavin Finnegan (Down).
