THE JACKIES ARE BACK

JOINT boss Paul Casey reckons Dublin went 'above and beyond' by giving their very best performance of the season when it mattered most.

- BY PAUL KEANE

Dublin hit neighbours and old rivals Meath hard and early in front of 48,089 at Croke Park to clinch a seventh All-Ireland ladies SFC title.

It was their third success in three seasons though the 2021 final was the one spoken about most before this game.

Meath came from nowhere back then with a brand new counterattacking game that ruined Dublin's drive for five.

But these are more orthodox times and a hugely experienced, highly talented and clearly hungry Dublin side ran amok.

Truth be told, it was over by halftime with Casey's crew racing into a 13-point lead with just 23 minutes on the clock.

Nicole Owens hammered the first nail in Meath's coffin when she netted after just six minutes.

And the Royals were as good as buried when Niamh Hetherton capped an excellent season with their second goal in the 21st minute.

By that stage, Hannah Tyrrell already had the three points she needed to clinch the Championship's top scorer award.

She finished with five points, as well as an injury, on what was probably the veteran forward's last day in blue.

Kate Sullivan rifled four points from play, bringing her tally in the All-Ireland series to an eye-watering 5-13.

Captain Carla Rowe, Leitrim native Eilish O'Dowd and the entire defence that held Meath to just four points from play were all superb too.