Match report Dublin v Meath

  • Feb 14,2020

Leinster MFC Rd 1 

FT Dublin 2-11 Meath 2-10 


A Niamh Cummins’ point deep into injury time secured victory for Dublin this evening over old foes Meath in the opening round of the Leinster minor championship. 


The game was an entertaining contest which ebbed and flowed for the entire 60+ minutes with the lead exchanging hands a number of times throughout the game. 


Early on, Meath looked impressive and raced into an 2 point lead. Emma Duggan was showing well for the Royals, indeed the senior County star nailed all of Meath’s first half scores, five of which came from converted frees as referee Paul Burke made his presence known to both teams. 


Despite Meath’s confident start it was Dublin who were ahead at the interval by two points (HT 2-03 to 0-07) with Amy O’Brien and Ella Higgins both raising the green flag for the visitors. 


The second half had a number of talking points, a disputed 45’ a disallowed Meath goal (57’ minute), and a Dublin sin binning in the 60th minute to name but a few. 


However the real drama arrived with the clock gone into injury time when the aforementioned Emma Duggan hit the back of the Dublin net from a 20 metre free. 


Suddenly the game was now level. 


From the resulting kick out Dublin battled bravely and worked the ball up the pitch. The final pass ended up with Niamh Cummins who nailed the winning score in the 65th minute to seal a dramatic victory for the Dubs!


Dublin manager, Anthony Cooke will be well pleased with his side’s performance as the young Dubs showed great determination, bravery and a never say die attitude against a hotly tipped Meath team. 


Next up for Dublin is a home game versus Kildare in round 2 on March 15th. 


Dublin 1. Abby Shiels (Lucan Sarsfields), 2. Ava Egan (Foxrock Cabinteely), 3. Tammy Quinn (Thomas Davis), 4. Ellie Hynes (Clontarf), 5. Hannah Howard (Fingallians), 6. Lauren Young (Thomas Davis), 7. Julie Grimes (Naomh Olaf), 8. Kerri Owens (Thomas Davis), 9. Jessica O’Regan (Clontarf), 10. Ciara McCarthy (Fingallians), 11. Caitlin Coffey (Castleknock), 12. Ella Higgins (Kilmacud Crokes), 13. Elyse Jamison Murphy (Na Fianna), 14. Sophie McGlynn (St Sylvesters), 15. Amy O'Brien (Garristown)


Dublin scorers: Amy O’Brien 1-06 (5f), Ella Higgins 1-01, Niamh Cummins 0-03, Kerri Owens 0-01 


Dublin subs: Niamh Cummins for McCarthy, Shauna Buckley for O’Regan, Jenny O’Hara Doyle for McGlynn, Leona Barry for Coffey, Grace Codd for Higgins 


Meath: Jodie Leavy, Saoirse O’Kane, Caragh Monaghan, Ali Sherlock, Aoibhe Monaghan, Olivia Gore, Caoimhe McPeake, Aisling McCabe, Ellen Brodigan, Alanna McNulty, Emma Duggan, Aoife Delaney, Louise Coyne, Meadhbh Byrne, Nicole Smith 


Meath scorers: Emma Duggan 2-09 (5f), Nicole Smith 0-01 


Referee Paul Burke (Louth) 


Picture: Niamh Cummins (Image credit Trinity Gaels GAA club)