Dublin take big step towards promotion with 11-point win in Navan

NFL Division 2: Dublin 2-19 Meath 1-11

Meath's Cathal Hickey in action against Killian O'Gara at Páirc Tailteann in Navan. O'Gara scored a goal for Dublin in the first half. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Niall Scully

March 18 2023 04:47 PM

Dublin’s footballers have one foot in Division 1 of the National Football League after a comprehensive defeat of Meath in Páirc Tailteann.

On the radio, they were talking about the rugby. The great Ireland-England rivalry. A joker quipped: “Who needs that when you have the Dubs and Meath in Navan!”

The RTÉ cameras were here. A Division 2 Allianz National Football League game on a sun-blessed Saturday in the Royal county. Meath and Dublin – still box office after all these years.

There were heavy traffic jams on the way to the venue. An oil truck carried the name of the legendary Tommy Dowd.

Many Dublin fans had arrived early. They strolled down the town for pre-match refreshments and a bite to eat.

The turnstiles were busy. The chip vans were doing a brisk business. Inside the stadium, the music belted out over the tannoy over an hour before throw-in. The great Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy.

18 March 2023; Meath manager Colm O'Rourke during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Meath and Dublin at Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Meath. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The old terraces of Páirc Tailteann were buzzing. Hill 16 on tour. With their colour and their banter.

There was a collection for the Meath Supporters Club. The locals are hoping that one of their favourite sons, Colm O’Rourke, can bring back the good times.

Remarkably, it was the first time the counties have met in the League in Navan since December, 1988. Dublin won that Division 1 fixture, 1-12 to 0-4.

And, 35 years on, a fine programme was produced. In his notes, O’Rourke talked about the old Meath values of heart, courage and honesty. “Our panel have applied themselves admirably to the task since November.”

Not far from the stadium, they are building new houses. And O’Rourke is doing the same with this young group.

During the week, he asked for the home faithful to show up in big numbers. And that’s what they did. A mighty roar went up when Meath came out of the tunnel.

Dublin were already on the pitch. Doing their warm-up. On a chilly, breezy day.

A man looked into the Press Box and quipped. “I hope you all have hot water bottles in there.”

Meath gave it everything they had. They finished the match on the front foot. They earned the admiration of the audience.

And so did the visitors. They looked so assured over the 70 minutes. They were always in control. They showed their experience. And their composure. They were patient in front of the posts. Taking their time. Waiting for the right option. Brian Fenton, as ever, was majestic. Grace itself.

There was a minutes’ silence, and applause for Liam Kearns. A gentleman of football.

Dublin attacked the town end in the first half. And soon they were up and sprinting. They led at half-time, 1-11 to 1-2.

They were moving the ball briskly, and they turned many attacks to profit.

But it was the hosts who struck for the first goal. On 20 minutes, Matthew Costello was wide on the left. And he sent a delicious curling shot into the far corner.

Dublin’s goal came just before the interval. It was a break-away. Eoin Murchan led the charge. In a run that brought back memories of his famous goal against Kerry in the All-Ireland final.

He slipped a pass to Killian O’Gara. O’Gara had time to consider his options before planting the ball in the back of the green and yellow net.

Meath had plenty of possession before the break. They created several openings, but had eight wides.

At the back, their goalkeeper, Harry Hogan, wasn’t afraid to leave the kitchen. Giving the home defenders an option in possession. The Meath number one also left his station to take frees and 45’s.

Lee Gannon added to Dublin’s first half tally with a gem. Jack Flynn’s strike for Meath came from the same shop window.

Gannon added another point after the tea. And O’Gara drilled over a snap shot. He’d earn the Player-of-the-Match award.

Just before the close came Dublin’s second goal. It was made a blistering run on the left from Colm Basquel. His pass across the goal allowed Costello to palm in.

But well before then, many were heading for the exit. Rushing to see the rugby.

Scorers - Dublin: C Costello 1-4 (0-1 45, 0-1 f); K O’Gara 1-3; B Fenton (0-1f), C O’Callaghan 0-4 each; L Gannon 0-2; C Kilkenny, S Bugler 0-1 each. Meath: M Costello 1-2 (0-1f); J Flynn 0-3 (1 45); D Moriarty (1f) A Lynch 0-2 each; C Hickey, D Lenihan 0-1 each.

Dublin: D O’Hanlon; D Newcombe, D Byrne, M Fitzsimons; J McCarthy, J Small, L Gannon; B Fenton, T Lahiff; C Kilkenny, C O’Callaghan, E Murchan; C Costello, K O’Gara, N Scully. Subs: S Bugler for Scully (28); B Howard for Lahiff (55); C Basquel for O’Gara (60) R Basquel for O’Callaghan (66); C Murphy for Gannon 69).

Meath: H Hogan; A O’Neill, M Flood, H O’Higgins; D Keogan, P Harnan, C Hickey; R Jones, J Flynn; J O’Connor, J Scully, S Crosby; J Morris, M Costello, D Moriarty. Subs: C O’Sullivan for O’Connor, A Lynch for Morris, D McGowan for Crosby (all ht); D Lenihan for Scully (54); E Harkin for Keogan (60).

Referee: C Lane (Cork).