Meath shouldn’t get too carried away

IT IS difficult to look at games like yesterday’s Meath v Dublin clash from a neutral perspective.

I have to admit I did leap out of my seat after a couple of Meath’s second-half goals. I certainly did not anticipate an 11 point winning margin for my own county. Yes, they certainly were worth their win, but the margin was flattering.

The scores were level after a first half in which I thought Dublin had looked slightly the better team. Lots of little things went Meath’s way. Their first goal came as a result of Barry Cahill, under no pressure, hopping the ball twice and conceding a free. The second came directly from a turnover after Conal Keaney was clearly fouled while attempting a point. Then, with Meath leading by three points, Paul Flynn ran right through the Meath defence only to see his goal attempt hit the inside of the post. A goal for Dublin there and you had a different match. After the third Meath goal, Bernard Brogan was through on goal but the referee chose not to give him the advantage. And for the last two Meath goals, the long, high ball broke beautifully for the Meath forwards.