It was a day that the sun decided to make an appearance and it was a day that the Meath minors outshone Dublin in every position in Pair Tailteann. Dull clouds are hanging over Dublin and I’m sure the management are wondering what just happened.
What actually happened was Meath management and players were up for this local derby in the Minor Championship. Every single player gave it absolutely everything. To wear a Meath jersey is a great honour, but to wear one in Pairc Tailteann in front of a crowd was electrifying. Great credit has to go to the Meath team and what even makes this even sweeter is the fact that four Skryne Players are involved with this team and out of the four one is a captain. We have to congratulate the four lads who played a key part in the win Robbie Clarke, Darragh Campion (Captain), Dean Reddy & Eoin Smyth.
From the off Meath had control of the game going three points up but then Dublin came on the attack and scored a crucial goal. The Meath panel kept their composure and with some fantastic defending kept Dublin at bay. Darragh Campion was having a stormer of a game and was laying of some beautiful balls to his fellow club man Eoin Smyth who scored some fantastic points. Meath never panicked and kept kicking points in the first half to keep the score board ticking over. By half time the score was
Meath 0-12
Dublin 1-02
In the second half Meath were playing into the hospital end and against the breeze. Meath started off where they finished and looked just as good playing against a breeze and were kicking points for fun. Darragh Campion was proving a tough man to mark as he weaved in and out past the Dublin players with the roars of the Meath crowd who loved everything the Meath players were doing. Eoin Smyth was also playing some superb football with some perfect points of his own. He worked hard and covered every blade of grass in Pairc Taiteann in a game that he was really enjoying. All the hard work and commitment he has put in is certainly paying off. Robbie Clarke had the Dublin corner forward in his pocket and has been a fantastic defender all year. Robbie still has another year at Minor level but didn’t look one bit out of place and the Meath defenders made Dublin work hard. The future of Meath football is safe and anyone who witnessed the game will realise Dublin are beatable it just takes self belief and dedication. The Dublin management looked on in shock and Ciaran Whelan must have been wondering how Meath were doing it. With the management of Meath and the likes of Barry Callaghan, Paddy Reynolds and Darren Fay they all know what it is like to beat Dublin on home turf.
Half way through the second half Dublin were dealt another blow when the Dublin Player Cormac Howley was guilty of a high challenge on a Meath player and was sent off on a second Yellow card. Meath were cruising and dominated the second half while Dublin made positional changes to try and stop the Meath attack. Meath were so much more physical and brushed Dublin off the ball with ease. If truth be told Meath could have scored two more goals but opted for the points and kept the score board ticking over. Meath opened up Dublin with a fine attack from defense and scored there first goal. In the last two minutes of play Dublin scored a consolation goal to make the score board not as worrying looking. Well done to the Meath team who were determined to get one over the Dubs. It was truly a fantastic team effort and also well done to Darragh who scored three points and Eoin who got Two Points. The families and supporters were allowed onto the pitch after the match to pose for photos with the team. Well done to Meath GAA and Páirc Tailteann for allowing this. It was a day to remember for all.
Final score
Meath 1-18
Dublin 2-05
Meath Team as follows
Meath – Adam McDermott; Robbie Clarke, Conor Harnan, Brian O’Reilly; James Cassidy (0-1), Eanna O’Kelly Lynch (0-1), Sean Reilly (0-1); Daragh Campion (C) (0-3), Ethan Devine (0-2); Niall Murphy, Cian O’Reilly, Eoin Smith (0-2); James Conlon (0-5), Frank O’Reilly, Jason Scully (1-3 fs). Subs – Eanna Mooney for F O’Reilly (47), Conor O’Byrne for Devine (53), Adam Murphy for C O’Reilly (57), Niall Durkan for Smith (57), Morgan Callaghan for Reilly (57), Conor Cullen for Clarke (60), Dean Reddy.
Hogan stand report
http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=255471
