The Dubs beat Meath to claim their seventh All-Ireland title in a dominant performance that left little doubt about their status as champions. Dublin stormed to a 2-16 to 0-10 win in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final at Croke Park, effectively sealing victory by halftime. While they faced tough moments earlier in the season including a dramatic draw against Waterford and extra-time heroics versus Galway—Dublin saved their very best for the grand stage.
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Fast Start Sets the Tone
Dublin wasted no time asserting control. Captain Carla Rowe was instrumental early on, drawing a free that Hannah Tyrrell converted, before setting up Nicole Owens for a sixth-minute goal. Just ten minutes in, Dublin led 1-03 to no score. Meath’s first point didn’t arrive until the 10th minute, and by halftime, they had failed to score from play, relying solely on Emma Duggan’s frees. Meanwhile, the Dubs surged ahead, with Niamh Hetherton netting their second goal after a slick move involving Eilish O’Dowd. By the break, the scoreboard read 2-09 to 0-04, and the result already felt beyond doubt.
Massive Team Effort from Dublin
The win marked a huge moment for the squad, especially for the seven players who were on the field in 2021 when Meath ended Dublin’s five-in-a-row hopes. Under new management with Paul Casey and Derek Murray, the Dubs overcame injuries—including a season-ending one for Lauren Magee—to reclaim their crown. Orlagh Nolan earned Player of the Match honors, with strong contributions from Rowe, Tyrrell, Sullivan, and O’Dowd, while Dublin’s defense kept Meath to just four points from play overall.
Meath’s Challenge Falls Short
Meath entered the final hopeful, despite losing to Dublin three times this year. They stuck with a mostly unchanged lineup, with veteran Shauna Ennis stepping in for the injured Katie Newe. Meath had a brief purple patch between halves, hitting five unanswered points, including their first from play in the 35th minute. Vikki Wall and Duggan tried to lift the team, but Dublin’s cushion was simply too large to overcome.
Sealing the Win in Style
Late efforts from Smyth, Cleary, and Duggan helped reduce the gap slightly, but Dublin closed the game out calmly. Tyrrell picked up a leg knock and had to leave the field but was walking and celebrating by full-time. With 48,000 fans watching, Dublin lifted the Brendan Martin Cup once again, celebrating a hard-earned title after a challenging but ultimately triumphant season.
