Meath 2-09 Dublin 2-06

The Meath u14s produced a flawless second half to become Leinster 'A' Champions in Clane on Saturday afternoon. Meath and Dublin have gone head to head for the last three weeks with the u16s and the u21s succumbing to the team from the capital. However, the u14s dug deep - producing a wonderful team performance that makes them worthy champions this weekend.

Meath got off to a great start hitting the crossbar twice before Skryne's Susie O'Rourke opened the Royals' account with a point from play in the opening minute. It became quickly clear however that the Royals would have their hands full as wave after wave of Dublin attack rained down on the Meath defence. To their credit, the girls in green and gold stood firm and overturned several attacks - Meabh Hanrahan, Sarah Wall and Aoife Farrell to the forefront of the Meath defence. Jodi Egan got Dublin's first goal on four mins - slipping the ball past Meath keeper Megan Peters. Meath brought the deficit back to one with a fine point from Leah Reilly on 7 mins.

Emma Duggan receives the Player of the Match award from Finbarr O'Driscoll Leinster President

The teams were level a minute later as Emma Duggan got her first point after patient build up by the Meath forwards. Egan pulled the team from the Capital ahead again on ten mins and this score ignited the Dublin team. Dublin rocked the Meath defence on 13 mins with a second goal courtesy of full forward Roisin McGovern thus stretching their lead to four. The teams exchanged scores - Dublin's Eimear Griffin pointing on 17 mins while Duggan pointed on 25 mins to keep the gap at four points. Both sets of midfielders were setting the pace of the game with Petra Reilly leading her team while Orla Lally kept the Meath rearguard alert to all dangers. There was time for Orlagh McGuigan to point for the Dubs while Emma Duggan ended the scoring for the first half on the resumption with a free. Dublin were by far the happier at half time leading by four points and looking good to retain their title.

Half Time: Meath 0-05, Dublin 2-03

While Dublin owned the first half, it was the Royals who completely dominated the second period. Meath got off to a dream start when Orla McLoughlin found the back of Karen O'Connell's net to narrow the gap to a single point. A Duggan free on 32 mins levelled matters and this ignited the sizable Meath crowd of supporters into huge cheer. Duggan's free was followed by a Leah Reilly point a minute later, putting the Royals into the lead for the first time since the opening minute. As the game ebbed and flowed both sets of defences were challenged - with the Royal defence simply impenetrable - keeping the determined and skilled Dublin forwards scoreless for much of the second period. McLoughlin added to her goal from the start of the second half with a point on 39 mins after great work from Susie O'Rourke and Lauren Geraghty. Dublin got their first score of the half on 42 mins through the boot of Jodi Egan to leave the Dubs just one point adrift and thus setting up a colossal last few minutes for both teams. Emma Duggan converted a free on 46 mins to pull the Royals a brace ahead once more and on the resumption Duggan was fouled while launching another attack - a penalty awarded for the Royals!

Finbarr O'Driscoll Leinster President presents the Leinster U14 A Cup to Orla Lally and Petra Reilly

Up stepped Seneschalstown's Sorcha Gough who calmly slotted the ball home - away from the keeper Karen O'Connell's outstretched hands. Meath were leading by five with ten minutes left on referee Kevin Phelan's watch. To the Meath defence's credit they stood firm and resolute as the Dublin attack continued - Meath midfielders Petra Reilly and Kate McCarthy were pillars in the centre of the field while the Royal defenders Mary McDonagh, Orlagh Lally, Meabh Hanrahan, Sorcha Gough, Sarah Wall and Aoife Farrell forced Dublin into awkward angles and overturned possession on a number of occasions. Dublin did add two further points through substitute Kate O'Connor and Katie McNally but the Royals held on, and indeed could have won by more had it not been for the upright and Dublin keeper Karen O'Connell, much to the delight of the supporters.

It finished in Clane with Meath three point winners - Meath 2-09, Dublin 2-06.

Meath Dublin games have always been fought tooth for nail and Saturday's game was absolutely no exception. The game was end to end and very much one of two halves. Meath shone in the second period and will look now with confidence to an All Ireland semi-final in two weeks against Munster Champions, Cork. During the presentation, Leinster President, Finbarr O'Driscoll congratulated both teams on a truly memorable final before presenting Emma Duggan with the Player of the Match Award and presenting the Leinster 'A' trophy to joint captains Orlagh Lally and Petra Reilly. Many thanks to Dublin manager Fearghall Brennan who congratulated the Meath team and wished them well in the semi-final.

Meath Team & Scorers: Megan Peters, Mary McDonagh, Orla Lally, Meabh Hanrahan, Sorcha Gough (1-00, pen), Sarah Wall , Aoife Farrell, Petra Reilly, Kate McCarthy, Emma Duggan (0-05, 2f), Leah Reilly (0-02), Susie O'Rourke (0-01), Orla McLoughlin (1-01), Lauren Geraghty, Leah Dennehy.

Subs: Aine Cooke for Dennehy (HT), Molly McNamara for Geraghty (49 mins), Emily Jo White, Caitlin Hamilton, Marie Heffernan, Molly Maguire, Amy Bermingham, Katie Bermingham, Kathleen Yore, Aoife Lenehan, Aoife Toner, Leahy Dennehy, Marie McCarthy, Laura Furlong.

Dublin: Karen O'Connell, Molly Brown, Aoife Taaffe, Hannah Murphy, Rachel Hartnett, Emma Dawson, Grace Kos, Grace Nash, Grainne O'Driscoll (C), Emma McCormack, Orlagh McGuigan, Eimear Griffin, Jodi Egan, Roisin McGovern, Katie McNally.

Ref: Kevin Phelan (Laois)

Tweet

Most Read Stories