Dublin advanced to the Leinster Under 20 FC final with a decisive win over Meath at Pairc Tailteann on Tuesday evening at Pairc Tailteann. PHOTOS

Dublin ............ 0-14
Meath ........... 0-10

Despite playing into the wind and sun in the second-half, Dublin built on their two-point interval advantage.

Without having to test Billy Hogan’s goal Jim Lehane’s side had their ticket to the provincial final in the bag when leading 0-14 to 0-8 with 52 minutes gone.

Though the young Dubs didn’t add to their tally in the time remaining, the dust had settled on this encounter.

Dublin did the basics better, like their minor and senior teams did in recent visits to this venue. The Dubs were stronger in their well-time tackles and their defence gave Meath little room. 

Despite the backing of the easterly wind, Meath were unable to capitalise on it. Instead, Dublin outscored them by 0-6 to 0-4 after the change of ends.

One of Eoghan Frayne’s five pointed frees left just two points, 0-8 to 0-10, between the sides by the 41st minute. Dublin kicked on with four points on the spin to confirm their final spot.

The negative effect of the sun was in evidence during the first half with referee David Hickey seemingly struggling at times to oversee proceedings because of it.

Meath made the better start, hitting the front four times in the opening 20 minutes.

Dublin endured a setback with the departure of full-forward Luke Breathnach to an injury incurred in a collision with a Meath defender in the 17th minute.

Darragh Dempsey landed the subsequent free to tie the scores with 18 minutes gone. However, some observers felt that the Kilmacud Croke man’s effort had gone wide.

Conor Gray lifted the home support seconds later with a point that put Meath in front for the fourth time.

Substitute Joe Quigley - on for Breathnach - made an impact on his arrival and had three points to his name before half-time. His second - from a 29th minute free - put his side ahead for the first time.

Jack Kinlough levelled matters with a rousing 30th minute point that levelled matters for the sixth time. Jim Lehane’s side closed the half with points from Quigley and team captain Conor Dolan to lead 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.

Scorers: Dublin - Ross Keogh 0-5 (4fs);Joe Quigley 0-3 (2fs); Conor Dolan 0-2; Darragh Dempsey 0-1(f); Ethan Dunne 0-1; Luke Breathnach 0-1; Seamus Smith 0-1. 

Meath - Eoghan Frayne 0-5 (fs); Jack Kinlough 0-1; Conor Gray 0-1; Con Smith 0-1; Hughie Corcoran 0-1; Shaun Leonard 0-1.

Dublin - Andrew Smyth; Eoghan O'Connor Flanagan, Theo Clancy, Evan Nugent; Alex Gavin, Dara McGrath, Dan O'Leary; Ethan Dunne, Greg McEneaney; Conor Dolan (c),Luke Ward, Tom Brennan; Ross Keogh, Luke Breathnach, Darragh Dempsey. Subs - Joe Quigley for Breathnach (18), Michael McDonald for Brennan (ht), Seamus Smyth for O'Connor Flanagan (39),

Meath - Billy Hogan; Brian O'Halloran, Liam Kelly, Killian Smyth; Brian O'Reilly, John O'Regan, John Finnerty; Jack Kinlough, Conor Gray; Ciaran Caulfield, Eoghan Frayne (c), Liam Stafford; Shaun Leonard, Oisin Keogh, Alan Bowden. Subs - Ruairi Kinsella for Leonard (38), Con Smith for Stafford (49), Conor Ennis for Bowden (55), Hughie Corcoran for Kinsella

Referee - David Hickey (Carlow).

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