Senior footballers outclass Royals

Sun, 20th July 2014

DUBLIN 3-20 MEATH 1-10

Dublin's dominance of the Leinster SFC continued on Sunday when they outclassed Meath by 16 points in the provincial decider at Croke Park.

Victory secured Dublin's fourth Delaney Cup in-a-row as they defeated Meath in the final for the third time in succession.

Dublin looked like they meant business from the first whistle and led 0-5 to 0-1 inside 16 minutes.

While the Dublin forwards were finding their feet up front the defence looked secure to blunt any early Meath forays.

Dublin's first goal in the 19th minute had an element of good fortune to it when man of the match, Kevin McManamon's, point effort hit an upright before being gathered by Bernard Brogan who finished to the net at the second attempt.

The Dubs also finished the half on top with Bernard Brogan (free) and three points from the energetic McManamon opening up a 1-12 to 0-6 lead by the break.

Of first of this trio typified Dublin's hold on the game as Michael Fitzsimons did very well in defence to win possession which was swept forward quickly as Dublin's maximised the superiority in terms of pace to carve out scoring opportunities.

Five minutes into the second half McManamon was tormenting the Meath defence again when he powered his way past Pádraic Harnan before clinically finishing to he net past Paddy O'Rourke - Dublin 2-13 to Meath 0-7.

There was to be no way back for Mick O'Dowd's men with Bernard Brogan, Jack McCaffrey and Paul Flynn tagging on points to see their side accelerate almost out of sight, 2-16 to 0-7.

The introduction of the likes of Dean Rock, Cormac Costello and Eoghan O'Gara did nothing to lessen the Dublin cause, in fact, all three especially O'Gara and Costello proceeded to make valuable contributions as Dublin strode to victory at their ease.

DUBLIN: S Cluxton (0-1, 0-1 '45'); P McMahon, R O'Carroll, M Fitzsimons; J McCarthy, M Devereux, J McCaffrey (0-1); MD Macauley, C O'Sullivan (0-1); P Flynn (0-1), A Brogan (0-1), D Connolly (0-1); K McManamon (1-5), P Mannion, B Brogan (1-6, 0-4f). Subs: C Costello (0-1) for Mannion (ht), D Rock (0-1) for Connolly (42), E O'Gara (1-1) for A Brogan (49), D Daly for Devereux (59), D Bastick for Macauley (59), T Brady for O'Sullivan (69).
MEATH: P O'Rourke; E Harrington, K Reilly, B Menton; P Harnan, D Keogan, D Tobin; G Reilly, S O'Rourke (0-2, 0-2f); D Carroll (0-1), B McMahon, A Tormey (0-2); D McDonagh, S Bray (0-2), M Newman (1-2, 0-1f). Subs: J Wallace for G Reilly (32), M Burke for Carroll (ht), D Bray (0-1) for McDonagh (46), B Meade for S O'Rourke (46), J McEntee for McMahon (53), P Gilsenan for Tobin (71).

REF: P Hughes (Armagh).

ATTENDANCE: 62,660.