Dublin Clarke overcame the challenge of Meath to claim victory in the opening round of the Celtic Challenge in Lomans Park Trim.

Dublin Clarke 0-22 Meath 2-12

The Celtic Challenge is a hurling competition for players aged 16 and 17 years old who are not participating in State Exams during May and June. Teams from 31 counties are taking part and in total 110 games will be provided to over 1,000 players on 38 teams.

Dublin Clarke's ability to take their points was the deciding factor at Lomans Park. Na Fianna's Sean Martin had the honour of getting Meath's first ever score at U17 competitive level when sending over a fine point. With ten minutes gone Dublin Clarke held a 0-5 to 0-2 advantage. The accurate Cian McHugh accounted for three of those opening salvo scores. Dublin held a 0-8 to 0-4 advantage with ten minutes remaining. Meath needed goal and Mikey Mullen provided just that to narrow the gap to the minimum. The visitors went in at the break 0-11 to 1-7 in front.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze Dublin Clarke dominated much of the second half. By the midway point they had extended their lead to eight points 0-19 to 1-8 with some excellent scores from Joey Mowlds, Billy Ryan, Sean Clerkin, Mark Grogan and Luke McDwyer. The home team forced their way back in to the game with points from Darren Hennessy and Nicky Potterton before Sean Martin found the back of the Dublin Clarke net to set up an exciting final five minutes. Mark Grogan steadied Dublin with the last score of the game and they went back to the capital with the victory.

Dublin Clarke scorers: Billy Ryan 0-6, Cian McHugh 0-5, Sean Clerkin, Luke McDwyer and Mark Grogan 0-3 each, Joey Mowlds and Andrew Carroll 0-1 each

Meath Scorers: Sean Martin 1-2, Mikey Mullen 1-1, Brian Dowling 0-2, Conor Hayes, Tom Fadden, Jacob Ryan, Darren Hennessy and Nicky Potterton 0-1 each

Dublin Clarke: Cormac Spain Cuala, James Dillon Kilmacud Crokes, Joey Mowlds St. Kevins, Michael Conroy Ballinteer St John's, Kevin Burke Na Fianna, Ciaran Murphy Whitehall Colmcille, Herkus Sviglinkas Lucan Sarsfields, Mark Grogan Kilmacud Crokes, Alex Hatt Kilmacud Crokes, Andrew Carroll Lucan Sarsfields, Billy Ryan Croabh Ciaran, Kevin Desmond Ballyboden St Enda's, Cian McHugh Lucan Sarsfields, Sean Clerkin St Oliver Plunketts, Lee Gannon Whitehall Colmcille, Eddie Gibbons Kilmacud Crokes, Tadgh Dunbar Kilmacud Crokes, Tom Keogh Raheny, Sean Farrelly Raheny, Jack Fagan Raheny, Patrick Skelly Na Fianna, James Mulcahy St Vincents, Luke McDwyer Ballyboden St Endas, Michael Murphy Na Fianna, Kevin Kirwan Cuala, Fionn O'Ceallaigh Kilmacud Crokes, Des Duggan Clan Na Gael, Cian Murphy Whitehall Colmcille, Cathal Kissane Ballinteer St Johns.

Meath panel: Aaron Dunne Killyon, Sean Hogan Donaghmore Ashbourne, Gavin O'Keeffe Dunboyne, Brian O'Reilly Killyon, Oisin Coffey Na Fianna, Jamie Leavy Dunderry, Evan Fitzgerald Kildalkey, Brin Kelly Kildalkey, Mikey Mullen Killyon, Evan Buckley Trim, Brian Dowling Trim, Evan Brennan Rathmolyon, Alex Power O'Rourke Donaghmore Ashbourne, Conor Hayes Kildalkey, Sean Martin Na Fianna, John Mitchell Dunboyne, Tom Fadden Ratoath, Cormac Butler Donaghmore Ashbourne, Jacob Ryan Killyon, Robert Noone Kilmessan, Nicky Potterton Kildalkey, Daragh Gilmartin Dunboyne, Sean Coffey Na Fianna, Adam Murphy Kiltale, John Morris Blackhall Gaels, Jamie Connolly Longwood, Pierce Butler Ratoath, Darren Hennessy Rathmolyon, Mark Hatton Kildalkey.

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