MEATH defeated Dublin in the Leinster junior football championship preliminary round game at Parnell Park last night thanks mainly to a strong fight back in the second half.

Dublin led 0-4 to 0-3 at half time having played with the wind. The lead was established by three points from play from Fergus McNulty, veteran Tommy Carr and midfielder Ciaran Whelan plus Padraig Doherty's 13 metre free. Peter Sullivan kicked Meath's three points from frees.

On the restart Doherty kicked two frees to extend Dublin's lead to 0-6 to 0-3. But when least expected, Meath strung five points together. Furthermore the fourth of these five was their first from play when centre forward John Henry swung over a 40 metre point. This was quickly followed by an inspired 50 metre effort from half back Noel Collier to put Meath 0-8 to 0-6 in front after 53 minutes.

Although Doherty gave Dublin some hope with a pointed free, Meath ran out flattering winners with late points from substitute Martin Kerr, Henry and Joey Rennicks.