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Dean Rock kicked 1-08 for Dublin in a close four-point win over provincial rivals Meath in their Allianz Football League fixture at Parnell Park.
Shane Walsh, a late addition to Meath’s squad as a corner forward, brought the score to completion with the first touchdown and the point of the game with three and a half minutes left.
Dublin responded immediately with 1-02 in the next two minutes. Dean Rock with 1-01 and a serene point close to Con O’Callaghan’s goal.
Rock’s goal was a gift after a total blunder by Brennan at Meath’s goal, his attempt to find his full side with a small kick was brilliantly intercepted by Paddy Small who went into Rock’s path to finish off into an empty net and put Dublin ahead by four points at eight minutes.
The early scores gave Dublin the confidence they wanted to settle into the game with Rock and Kilkenny easily scoring the scores near the goal and extending their lead to six after ten minutes.
Meath regained two quick-fire points with Shane Walsh getting his second game and speedy Cillian O’Sullivan breaking the tackle on the edge of the square before taking his point to get Meath’s third point.
A Rock free just before the water broke and a signature Fenton score moments later, they saw Dublin flex his muscles with ease as they played with Meath.
Superior passing, technique and athleticism in front of goal saw the home team increase their lead with a combination of easy points from O’Callaghan, Small and Kilkenny that extended Dublin’s lead to seven points.
Meath, to his credit, sank as the first half came to an end and three composite scores by Thomas O’Reilly on either side of a Menton point brought the difference to just four 1-10 to 0-09 with thirty-two minutes played.
Meath’s impressive defender Cathal Hickey had a glorious scoring opportunity two minutes from the end of the first half, but was denied with a fantastic save from Cluxton low and brave at Hickey’s feet before clearing the danger.
Thomas O Reilly nailed his fourth score of the game and his third free at the edge of the break to leave just three between the sides at break. Dublin 1-10 Meath 0-10.
Meath started the second half when they finished the first on heavy turnovers, high confidence and with O’Sullivan and O’Reilly on target again, the Royals brought the game back to a single touchdown.
Jonny Cooper limped cautiously after forty-five minutes with a foot injury in what could be a severe blow to Dublin before the start of his Championship campaign. Eoin Murchan enters his place.
Dean Rock and O’Callaghan kept the score going for Dublin with some fantastically worked scores, but Meath again dug deep with his answer and returned to a Dublin point as the game entered the final five minutes.
On what was the main theme of the night, Dublin responded so impressively every time a score was awarded. Rock capitalized on his ninth score of the night before the undying Kilkenny wrapped up Dublin’s scoreline in a 1-20 to 0-19 victory for Farrell’s men.
A lot to work on for both sides before the Leinster championship that will start in a few weeks. Dublin concludes his league campaign with a trip to Galway while Meath travels to Clones to face Monaghan.
Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Cian Murphy, David Byrne, Michael Fitzsimons; John Small, Jonny Cooper, Robert McDaid; Brian Fenton (0-2), Emmet O Conghaile; Niall Scully, Ciaran Kilkenny (0-4), Eric Lownes; Paddy Small (0-2), With O’Callaghan (0-4), Dean Rock (1-8, 5f)
Subs used: Eoin Murchan for Jonny Cooper (45), Brian Howard for Emmet O’Conghaile (47), Cian O’Sullivan for John Small (55), Aaron Byrne for Paddy Small (63), Sean Bugler for Eric Lowndes (71 )
Meath: Mark Brennan, Eoin Harkin (0-1), Cathal Hickey, David Toner; Gavin McCoy, Shane McEntee, Donal Keogan; Bryan Menton (0-1), Ronan Jones; Ethan Devine, Cillian O’Sullivan (0-3, 2f), Jason Scully; Thomas O’Reilly (0-6, 6f), James McEntee, Shane Walsh (0-4).
Subs used: Jordan Morris (0-2) by Ethan Devine (30), Brian Conlon (0-1) by Gavin McCoy (39), Darragh Campion by Jason Scully (55), James Conlon (0-1) by Shane Walsh (59), Donal Lenihan for Thomas O’Reilly (67)
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)
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