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U20 Leinster Final 2025
FT Dublin 2-06 Meath 0-13
For a second year in a row Meath are Leinster U20 champions. They retained their title with a strong team performance despite having to hold off a late second half comeback from the Dubs.
Dublin started brightly. Kate Watson got the opening score of the game for the Metropolitans, however Meath responded in style with six unanswered scores. Ciara Doherty (3), Sinéad Murphy, Sarah Jane Lyons a point each and Ellie Murphy with a converted free.
Kate Watson was on target again when she tapped over a point in the 23rd minute to leave five between the sides at the interval. HT Dublin 0-02 Meath 0-07.
Meath picked up where they left off at the break. The Royals with three quick second half points while Dublin continued to struggle to find their range.
Kate Watson tapped on another fine point as she tried to rally her team. Dublin now had a seven-point deficit to pin back. Meath cancelled out Watsons score with a well taken point of their own this time by Eléna Kennedy. The two teams exchanged scores with Meath continuing to have a strangle hold on the contest.
The crucial score of the game arrived in the 48th minute when Dublin’s Sarah Condron rattled the back of the Meath net for the opening goal of the contest. Suddenly the deficit between the sides was down to five points.
Second half Dublin substitute Amber McCloskey tapped over two key points, one from play and one from a free to leave just three points between the two sides. Game on as they say. With 57 minutes gone in the game Meath’s Ellie Murphy converted a crucial free to widen the gap back to four.
Then drama ensued. Late into added time, Elsa Kearney stuck for Dublin’s second goal of the game. A single score now separated the two teams. Match referee Marion Hayden blew her whistle and despite a heroic effort from the girls in blue the U20 Leinster trophy would be residing for a second year in a row in the Royal County.
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