Dublin dethroned by Royals

UNDER-21 FOOTBALL LEINSTER CHAMPIONSHIP: Meath 0-21 Dublin 0-17MEATH CAUSED a major surprise by defeating the defending provincial and AllIreland champions after extra-time in a thrilling tussle at Navan's Páirc Tailteann last night.

Dublin manager Jim Gavin was able to call on seven of the players who played in last year’s All-Ireland final with current county seniors Seán Murray, James McCarthy and Darragh Nelson joined by Ciarán Dorney, Gary Sweeney, Dean Rock and Ciarán Reddin.

Three more of the 2010 team were unavailable with Cian Mullins ruled out with injury and the Kilmacud Crokes pair of Eoin Culleton and Mark Coughlan club-tied because of Sunday’s clash with Crossmaglen at the same venue.

Despite the experience of the Dubs, it was Meath who got off to a flying start and they led 0-4 to no score after just six minutes.

Michael Newman impressed in the home side’s attack and two points from him and one each by Mark Battersby and Bryan Menton gave them the perfect start.

Dublin worked their way into the game with Dean Rock converting a couple of frees and Ciarán Dorney also on target to reduce the deficit to the minimum.

However, two converted frees by Newman got Meath back on the right path and, with Paddy Gilsenan and Darragh Smyth also showing their worth in attack, they went on to lead by double scores (0-10 to 0-5) at the break.

With Rock continuing to slot over frees and substitute Paul Hudson making an impact with three points, Dublin battled back in the second period and appeared to have the win in the bag when defenders Darragh Nelson and Kevin O’Brien put them two to the good on 59 minutes.

However, Meath’s never-say-die spirit was in evidence with points from Andrew Tormey and Newman (free) leaving it 0-14 each after the regulation hour.

And Meath regained superiority in no uncertain manner during the two additional periods. They led by 0-18 to 0-16 at the next break and substitutes Seán Dalton, Shane Gillespie and Willie Carry made their mark with crucial scores as the Royals advanced.

MEATH: C McHugh; C McPartland, S Curran, W Ryan; D Keogan, C Lenehan (0-1), M O'Sullivan; B Menton (0-1), J Owens; P Gilsenan (0-2, 1 free), D Smyth (0-4), D Larkin; M Battersby (0-1), N Murphy, M Newman (0-7, 5 frees). Subs: S Dalton (0-2) for Larkin (39 mins); A Tormey (0-1) for Murphy (45), S Gillespie (0-1) for Battersby, W Carry (0-1) for Owens (both 55); O Murray for Gilsenan (74); N Judge for Smyth (75).

DUBLIN: R O'Flaherty; K O'Brien (0-1), J McCarthy, D Nelson (0-1); G Seavers (0-2), S Murray, G McArdle; D O Murchu, C Reddin; C Dorney (0-1), D Rock (0-7, 6 frees), G McIntyre, P Ryan (0-1), D Stapleton, G McIntyre. Subs: M Concar for McArdle (23 mins); H Dawson (0-1) for McIntyre (26); P Hudson (0-3) for Murphy, E Keogh for Stapleton (both 37), P Houlihan for Ryan (60), P Keaney for Reddin (66), A McCarrick for Concar (half-time, extra-time), G McIntyre for Rock (64 mins).

Referee: D Brazil (Offaly).

Next Up...

The under-21 Leinster quarter-finals are scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th, with Wexford taking on Kildare, Carlow meeting Kilkenny, Meath playing Longford and Westmeath taking on Offaly.