Sky Blues toppled by stunning late burst
everything at us right through,’ he said.
‘That’s what made it all the more galling. We threw it away.
‘When Meath started to play nothing went wrong for them. We have nothing to complain about. We were beaten by a better team.’
Just as they had done in their two previous victories Meath won this game in the final 20 minutes. However, in contrast to those previous games Meath were much sharper from the outset. They were on level terms after one third of the game played and then went ahead approaching half-time.
Dublin then showed why they were All-Ireland champions as they produced some of their best football and by half-time had eased into an 0-8 to 0-5 lead. Indeed, that lead could have been greater, but a Brian Mullins effort came back off a post and into the grateful arms of keeper and Meath captain Ronan Giles.
The goal eventually arrived seconds after the restart as SStephen Rooney sent the flying BBobby Doyle clear and the St VVincent’s man crashed the baball to the net.
TThe accuracy of Ollie lieOllie O’Brien, picking off popoints from play and frefrees, kept Meath in contention, tencontention, but Dublin still loolooked a safe bet for victory toryvictory as the game headed into the final quarter.
HoHowever, with Joe Cassells sellsCassells anand Mick Ryan lauding it at midfiemidfield and Ken Rennicks rampant in attack,atta Dublin began to ffeell ththe hheat.t ThThe minimumi separated the team with nine minutes remaining, but Rennicks, who gave Alan Larkin a real roasting, then hit the equalising score.
When Anton O’Toole elected to take a quick free the referee adjudged Brian Mullins to be standing too close and awarded a free to Meath which Ollie O’Brien converted from 45 yards.
That score gave Meath back the lead they had not held since the 21st minute, and from there to the finish the Royals were in the ascendancy. The winners fired over three further points in the closing minutes as they recorded a memorable victory. MEATH: Ronan Giles; Mickey Collins, Jack Quinn, Brendan Murray; Phil Smith, Pat Reynolds, PJ O’Halloran; Joe Cassells, Mick Ryan; Eamonn O’Brien, Ken Rennicks 0-2, Pat Traynor 0-2; Matt Kerrigan 0-2, Cormac Rowe 0-2, Ollie O’Brien 0-8.
DUBLIN: Paddy Cullen; Gay O’Driscoll, Sean Doherty, Robbie Kelleher; Paddy Reilly, Alan Larkin, George Wilson; Brian Mullins, Stephen Rooney; Bobby Doyle 1-1, Tony Hanahoe, David Hickey; John McCarthy 0-1, Jimmy Keaveney 0-6, Anton O’Toole 0-1. Sub: Pat Gogarty for Hickey.
REF: Harry Reilly (Louth)