Meath 2-13 Dublin 2-9

Meath began their Leinster Ladies Minor A Football Championship in fine style with this four point victory over Dublin at Meath GAA Centre of Excellence Dunganny. The introduction of Poppy Byrne in the second half had a big bearing on the outcome.

The home side made a great start with points from Orlaith Reilly, Anna Moyles and Isabel Thorp. Dublin hit back with scores from Karrie Rudden and Sophia O’Brien before full forward Reilly raised the first green flag of the day. The visitors brought it back to a one point game with fine scores from Ellen Leddy Doyle (2) and Charlie Murphy but Thorp had the last say of the half with a point from a free and the Royals went in at the break 1-4 to 0-5 in front.

Dublin dominated the early exchanges of the second half and went in front with a Murphy point and a goal from Karrie Rudden. Declan Smyth’s charges looked in trouble but they responded in fine style. Substitute Poppy Byrne took over the free taking duties and in a ten minute golden spell the Blackhall Gaels star added five points. Reilly got in for her second goal in that spell of dominance as they built up a 2-12 to 1-8 lead. 

Dublin were not finished and a Doyle point was quickly followed by a Orla Keighran goal to leave just one score in it. Byrne quashed any hope of a comeback with her sixth point of the half and ensure an opening round win for Meath.

Meath scorers: Orlaith Reilly 2-2, Poppy Byrne 0-6, Isabel Thorp and Anna Moyles 0-2 each, Kerrie Cole 0-1.

Dublin scorers: Ellen Leddy Doyle 0-4, Karrie Rudden 1-1, Charlie Murphy 0-2, Orla Keighran 1-0, Sophia O’Brien, Kate O’Toole

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