Quarter-final of Leinster SFC: Dublin triumphs over Meath with 3-19 against 0-12
In the end, Dublin’s opening match proved a relatively undemanding task. Initially, they faced with a bit of boldness from Meath, but gradually found their footing to achieve the usual victory by a double-digit margin. Dublin’s clear lead was secured by noteworthy goals from Seán Bugler, Paul Mannion, and Cormac Costello, effectively dispelling any idea that the match might have been a close fight against Colm O’Rourke’s team.
That being said, Meath didn’t just roll over. Often in the current terror-filled reign, they’d enter Croke Park only to be defeated even before the national anthem had concluded. In this case, however, they took every risk, pressing Dublin fearlessly. This tactic showed some success– half of Stephen Cluxton’s kick-outs in the first half were won by Meath.
Appearing in his first 2024 game, Cluxton showed signs of rust; aside from the quality of his kick-outs, his first-half free kick missed the mark. With 23 years elapsed since his championship debut, no one has worked harder for some latitude on an unsteady first day back.
As always, Dublin had ample reserves to cover for him. Mannion excelled as corner forward, scoring directly from a grandiose kick on the right and adding his share of frees too. Mick Fitzsimons, completing his first game of the year, was in high gear each time Jordan Morris held the ball. Colm Basquel offered crisp and strategic offence.
However, Dublin’s first-half goal was a turning point. Meath might understandably feel hard done by it – as Bugler should have been recalled for overholding, yet he weaved his way through to throw the ball into the Hill 16 net at the 19-minute mark.
It can’t be denied that Bugler was illegally impeded during his run, though the match official, Thomas Murphy, did not blow his whistle nor indicate an advantage. Instead, he observed as Bugler took the full 12 steps to his successful shot past Billy Hogan. Bizarrely, Murphy called a foul against Meath’s midfielder Cian McBride for overcarrying, seemingly ignoring this game-changing error in judgment and fixating on minor transgressions.
Bugler’s goal gave a change in tide to the game, allowing Dublin to grasp a 1-3 to 0-3 lead, shifting the dynamic of a contest that had been evenly matched into a more traditional Leinster Championship narrative. As Meath tried to regain composure, Mannion managed to secure a couple of effortless points within three minutes, putting Dublin lead by five.
For a time, Meath battled on. Eoghan Frayne and Morris both delivered excellent finishes after energetic passes from the team, displaying a clear determination to compete. However, Dublin’s lead provided them a cushion, allowing for the occasional misstep and missed opportunity. Before the mid-game break, Basquel and O’Callaghan both scored and Dublin led 1-9 to 0-6.
Upon their return, Farrell’s team appeared to have tightened their control of the game significantly during half-time. They dominated the Meath restarts during the third quarter, securing most of the initial ones. The mounting pressure began to show effects, even though the benefits were not instantly translated into points. Key players like Niall Scully and John Small contributed with notable scores. When Ciarán Kilkenny added his second at the 42-minute mark, Dublin found themselves seven goals ahead.
The match started to resemble a drill rather than a contest from that point onwards. Farrell made full use of his reserves, introducing James McCarthy who had been rested for two months. Substitutes Cormac Costello and Paddy Small slotted a point each while Mannion showcased brilliant gameplay with an executioner’s finish narrowly shy of the 60-minute mark. The game was settled long before O’Callaghan managed to gently slide a goal into an unprotected net during extra time.
The prevailing force that is Dublin moves to the next phase, leaving Meath to potentially upset someone in the All-Ireland series. Indeed, the face of the game goes on changing.
Stephen Cluxton lined up as goalkeeper for Dublin in their recent game, along with teammates Seán McMahon, Cian Murphy who scored 0-1, Eoin Murchan, Brian Howard, John Small who contributed 0-2, Mick Fitzsimons, Tom Lahiff, Ciarán Kilkenny who added another 0-2, Ross McGarry, Seán Bugler who scored 1-1, Niall Scully scoring 0-1 from a mark, Paul Mannion who scored a hefty 1-6, of which 0-4 were frees, Con O’Callaghan adding 1-2, including 0-1 from a mark, and Colm Basquel who put in two points. During the match, James McCarthy replaced Basquel after 50 minutes, while Paddy Small came on for Scully two minutes later, both contributing to the final score. In addition, Killian McGinnis came on for Mannion and Cormac Costello for McGarry in the 61st minute with Costello scoring 0-1. Lastly, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne replaced J. Small in the 66th minute.
Across from Dublin, goalie Billy Hogan lined up for county Meath, along with his teammates Donal Keogan, Adam O’Neill, Harry O’Higgins, Ciarán Caulfield who scored 0-1, Ross Ryan, Seán Coffey, Ronan Jones who also brought in 0-1 from a mark, Daithí McGowan, Darragh Campion scoring 0-1, Eoghan Frayne who delivered 0-3 which included 0-2 frees, Cathal Hickey, Jordan Morris who scored 0-3, Mathew Costello putting in a single point from a free, and James Conlon also scoring 0-1. Meath made usage of their substitutions, with Jack O’Connor replacing Campion at halftime, Cian McBride came on for McGowan after 46 minutes, Ruairí Kinsella replacing Ryan, and Keith Curtis subbing for Morris following the 58-minute mark, while Aaron Lynch came on for Conlon after 62 minutes. The match was overseen by the referee, Thomas Murphy from Galway.