DUBLIN…………………..2-16
Meath………………………0-10
Two turning points inside the opening six minutes laid the groundwork for this comprehensive defeat for Meath ladies on Sunday in front of an attendance of over 48,000 spectators at Croke Park. Firstly just two minutes in Meath full forward Vikki Wall pulled a glorious goal chance across the face of goal and wide, then four minutes later Nicole Owens fired Dublin’s first goal from close range.
Meath ‘keeper Robyn Murray had no chance with that shot but will surely reflect that she could have closed down Owens a bit more before she got the shot off in the first place. From there on it was downhill all the way for Meath as a far more physical and downright cynical Dublin dominated. However, they were more direct in attack and took scores with relative ease with the Meath girls struggling to find the their way through the Dublin defence. The early onslaught and two precious goals was always going to need goals for Meath that never materialised as Dublin loaded the defence.
Tactical fouling was the winners first option and their attitude was to see how far referee Gus Chapman was prepared to let them go, and they were probably surprised at the answer to that question as Meath and Wall especially became ever more frustrated with the officials leniency.
Meath trailed 2-9 to 0-4 at the break and despite scoring seven points without reply either side of the half time hooter were never looking like contenders,. And were thankful an acrobatic save by Murray in the 15th minute to ensure they were as close as they were
The winners second goal arrived seven minutes later Niamh Hetherton thundering home a fierce drive.
Emma Duggan’s feat of kicking seven points in an All Ireland is noteworthy but this was a day when as Dublin manager Paul Casey said afterwards all his players played to their best. Meath never stopped trying but were unable to swim against the tide as Dublin swam home on a blue wave of triumph.
Pictured above at the TG4 All Ireland Senior Ladies Football Final at Croke Park, Meath v Dublin Niamh Gallogly (Meath) and Carla Rowe (Dublin) / Martha Byrne (Dublin) Photo: David Mullen
