Leinster MHC: Dominant Dubs dispatch Meath
July 14, 2021
Tom Shine gains possession for Meath ahead of Dublin's Eoin Key and Liam Garrigan during the Leinster MHC game at Pairc Tailteann
Having fended off early Meath resistance Dublin bossed this Leinster MHC quarter-final clash at Pairc Tailteann on Wednesday evening.
Dublin ........ 4-18
Meath ......... 1-6
Even when Meath were competitive, Dublin looked the slicker side and finished with 21 points to spare to advance emphatically to a semi-final meeting with Wexford. To view photos click here
Gearoid O Riain's side were bigger and stronger. In addition they were better on the ball in addition.
Dennis McSweeney topped the scoring stakes with 2-8. His two goals from play arrived in the final quarter.
His late point attempt rebounded off an upright before being finished to the net by sub Conor Brennan in the 58th minute.
From the first mini-break Dublin outscored Meath by 3-14 to 0-4. Meath were spirited but were unable to match the visitors.
The opening quarter provided a good contest with the sides level once before Joe Ennis goaled from a penalty, at the second attempt after the referee spotted an infringement when the Clann na nGael teenager's first attempt was stopped by Dublin 'keeper Fionn Boyd.
That score left it 1-1 to 0-2 after eight minutes. Meath reamained in front for six minutes before Callum Walsh goaled for Dublin.
The visitors led from there to the end and doubled their lead with a Dennis McSweeney free to lead by 1-4 to 1-2 at the first water break.
Just before refreshments were served and McSweeney's free, Ennis was wide with a 65, if pointed would have leveled matters. The second quarter belonged to Dublin as they added five points without reply to lead by 1-9 to 1-2 at the interval.
Despite being favoured by the diminishing elements, Dublin added just four points in the third quarter. When the second brief interval was called the team in sky blue jerseys led by 1-13 to 1-4.
Meath's scores in this phase were a brace of excellent Tom Shine points from play. The last such scores from the Royals.
Dublin kicked-on, outscoring the home side by 3-5 to 0-2 in the last quarter. They might have enhanced their tally but for some and some fine saves from Meath goalkeeper Ben Mather.
The final score came in stoppage time when Dublin 'keeper Fionn Boyd was pulled up for over carrying. Meath's top scorer completed the action with a pointed free.
Scorers: Dublin - Dennis McSweeney 2-8 (6fs, 1 65); Callum Walsh, Conor Brennan 1-0 each; Con Rock, Diarmuid O Dualaing 0-3 each;Leon Kennedy 0-2; Neil Hogan, Conall O Riain 0-1 each.
Meath - Joe Ennis 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-2 fs): Tom Shine 0-2; Ronan Conheady, Denis Darby 0-1 each.
Dublin - Fionn Boyd; Rossa Daly, Barry McGuire, Sean McDonald; Jack Behan, David Lucey, Eoin Keys; Ben Gaughran, Liam Garrigan; Conn Rock,Conal O'Riain, Dennis McSweeney; Diarmaid O Dulaing, Callum Walsh, Leon Kennedy. Subs - Conor Brennan for Walsh (35), Neil Hogan for O Riain (39), Joey Kinnane for Gaughran (56), Jim Kennedy for Daly (60), Oisin Johnston for McSweeney (60).
Meath - Ben Mather; Eugene O’Reilly, Daire Shine, Kian Douglas; Daire Rohan, Peter Connolly, Paddy Barnwell (C); Domhnall Rogers, Daragh Horan; Sean Corbett, Tom Shine, Denis Darby; Ronan Conheady, Liam Co, Joe Ennis. Subs - Liam Corbett for Douglas (26), James Connolly for Horan (ht), Lorcan Byrne for Conheady (ht), Craig Gilsenan for P Connolly (46), Tomas Gaughran for Darby (56).
Referee - Kevin Brady (Louth)
