U20 Leinster Final 2025

Meath 0-13 

Dublin 2-06 

For a second year in a row Meath are Leinster U20 champions. They retained their title with a strong team performance despite having to hold off a late second half comeback from the Dubs.

Dublin started brightly. Kate Watson got the opening score of the game for the Metropolitans however Meath responded in style with six unanswered scores. Ciara Doherty (3), Sinéad Murphy, Sarah Jane Lyons a point each and Ellie Murphy with a converted free.

Kate Watson was on target again when she tapped over a point in the 23^rd minute to leave five between the sides at the interval. HT Dublin 0-02 Meath 0-07.

Meath picked up where they left off at the break. The Royals with two quick second half points through Ciara Doherty and SJ Lyons, while Dublin continued to struggle to find their range.

Kate Watson tapped on another fine point as she tried to rally her team.  Dublin now had a seven-point deficit to pin back. Meath cancelled out Watson’s score with a well taken point of their own this time by Eléna Kennedy. The two teams exchanged scores with Meath continuing to have a strangle hold on the contest.

The crucial score of the game arrived in the 48^th minute when Dublin’s Sarah Condron rattled the back of the Meath net for the opening goal of the contest. Suddenly, the deficit between the sides was down to five points.

Second half Dublin substitute Amber McCloskey tapped over two key points, one from play and one from a free to leave just three points between the two sides. Game on as they say. With 57 minutes gone in the game Meath’s Ellie Murphy converted a crucial free to widen the gap back to four.

Then drama ensued. Late into added time, Elsa Kearney struck for Dublin’s second goal of the game. A single score now separated the two teams. On the resumption, Meath won possession and as the ball went downfield once more, match referee Marion Hayden blew her whistle and despite a heroic effort from the girls in blue the U20 Leinster trophy would be residing for a second year in a row in the Royal County.

Meath U20: Méabh McCarrick (Walterstown); Anna Gardiner (Simonstown), Éabha Magee (Donaghmore Ashbourne), Serena Gavin (Kilbride); Holly Macken (Clann na nGael), Sarah Maguire (Navan O’Mahony’s) Captain, Sarah Caulfield (Trim); Isabel Thorp (Navan O’Mahony’s), Sinéad Murphy (Trim); Elena Kennedy (Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels), Ciara Doherty (Donaghmore Ashbourne), Sarah Jane Lyons (Walterstown); Orlaith Reilly (St Ultans), Ellie Murphy (Skryne), Róisín McManus (Skryne).

Meath scorers: Ciara Doherty 0-04, Ellie Murphy 0-04 (3f), Sinéad Murphy, Sarah Jane Lyons 0-02 each, Eléna Kennedy 0-01.

Meath subs: Kamile Buviliate for Róisín McManus, Shauna Fox for Orlaith Reilly,  Adetola Akinboboye for Sarah Jane Lyons.

Meath U20 panel: Gráinne Ní Laoire (Trim), Mia Brady (Simonstown), Aideen Reilly (Kilbride), Amy Smullen (Clonard), Aoibheann Shortt (Donaghmore Ashbourne), Emily McCann (Oldcastle), Emma Lynch (Oldcastle), Kellie Stafford (Seneschalstown), Lucy Reynolds (Walterstown), Sinéad Cooke (Ratoath), Meghan Leddy (Kilbride).

Dublin U20: Siobhán Cassidy Fagan (St Sylvesters); Naomi Weakliam (O’Dwyers), Líadan Murphy (Kilmacud Crokes), Chloe Bryan (St Sylvesters); Amy Clavin (St Brigids) captain, Aoife Robertson (Round Tower Clondalkin), Elsa Kearney (O’Dwyers); Aoíbh Doyle (Clann Mhuire), Kate O’Toole (St Sylvesters); Iseult Costello (St Brigids), Sarah Condron (St Brigids), Cáit Phelan (Beann Eadair); Ava Peake (Raheny), Neala Byrne (Cuala), Kate Watson (Erins Isle).

Dublin scorers: Sarah Condron, Elsa Kearney 1-00 each, Kate Watson 0-03 (1f), Amber McCloskey 0-03 (2f).

Dublin subs: Heather Bolger for Cáit Phelan, Amber McCloskey for Ava Peake.

Dublin U20 panel: Ava Canty (Fingallians), Ella O’Dell (Templeogue Synge St), Ellie Doyle (St Sylvesters), Saoirse Delaney (Erins Isle), Andrea Walsh (St Patricks Donabate), Niamh Redmond (Thomas Davis), Alex Smyth (Ballyboughal), Sophia O’Brien (Na Fianna), Brosna O’Dell (Templeogue Synge St), Kadie Martin (Erins Isle).

Referee: Marion Hayden (Carlow)

Report with thanks to Dublin LGFA

Photo Credit: Maurice Grehan