Minors loose out to Meath

  • May 03,2010

Meath 6-14 v Dublin 3 -10

 

The conditions were near perfect in Sarsfields GAA, Newbridge for the Leinster Minor Shield Final today, Monday 3rd May.

 

Both sides were set to battle it out having been knocked out of the championship earlier in the season, so there was some dignity to be retained and confidence boosted.

 

When Ciaran Groome threw the ball in just after 3pm both sides got stuck in. The Jackies put the first score of the game on the board with a point in the second minute. Meath replied quickly and then added another. Dublin dominated the play for the next seven or eight minutes but were unable to find the target. The Meath forward line, when they got possession, cut through the Dubs defence like a knife through butter and did so about a quarter of an hour in and made another point. The kick-out was correctly read by the Meath side and the ball returned to the danger zone. There was a tussle in the large rectangle. Then the worst happened. The Dublin ‘keeper and her No.3 collided and both ended up on the deck. The ball rolled to a stop just a few feet from an open goal - and it was easily tapped home to open Meaths tally of goals. The Jackies found their feet again and put 3 points over in quick succession after that. The injury to the Dubs No 3 and another at the far end of the park ensured a few minutes of extra time added. Both sides scored in the added time and the Jackies finished the half with a goal of their own. There was just 4 points in it in Meaths favour; 1-6 to 2-7.

 

A stiff breeze had developed in the last 10 minutes or so of the first half and this should have helped Dublin. Meath had used it by putting in a goal and 3 before the whistle. But the Jackies didnt capitalize and Meath started with a point at the off. The Jackies got the ball down the park and made a goal out of it. Just two points behind at this stage, the spectators expected a game for their money. They got a rout. Meath put an extra 2 goals and 5 points cushion between the sides and it wasnt til 20 minutes in that the Blues scored again - a point. It was like poking a wasps nest. Meath replied with two more goals and a point. With 5 minutes to go the Royal County girls were now 18 points ahead and they stepped off the gas a bit. The Jackies added to their tally getting 2 points and then as Ciaran Groome put the whistle to his lips to blow the final whistle, the Jackies finished the half as they had done in the first period, with a goal.