Royal performance lacked composure at key moment, admits Crawford

MEATH midfielder Nigel Crawford had no problem identifying where and when his side lost this game.

Entering the second quarter, the Royals were two points clear having scored five points in succession and that should have been three, as Cian Ward missed a relatively easy free to double the scores.

But from then on, Darren Magee took charge around the centre and Dublin reeled off eight points to lead at the break by 0-11 to 0-5. Given that Pat Gilroy’s men only managed three points in the entire second-half, it was undoubtedly significant.