ROYAL SEND OFF STUNS DUBS

Meath slam the brakes on Blues' drive for 15th Leinster title in a row

- KARL O'KANE

MEATH boss Robbie Brennan hailed "phenomenal characters" Donal Keogan and Bryan Menton, as his side ended Dublin's bid for a 15th straight Leinster title.

Keogan and Menton are the only survivors from Meath's last Leinster title back in 2010, although neither played that day.

They have known nothing but pain at the hands of Dublin ever since. But they rolled back the years at O'Moore Park and were right up there among Meath's top performers.

Menton caught and fought for a sight of ball, and after a couple of early misses nailed a crucial two-pointer, while Keogan defended as if his life depended on it.

And they had plenty of able followers across the Meath side, with some heroic last ditch defending.

"Two phenomenal characters obviously, Keogs and Mento — and I thought they had phenomenal games again," said Brennan.

"Just that blend of youth, who probably haven't got the scars from Dublin.

"Yes, they've lost a couple of times, but they've not been through the Diarmuid Connollys, the Paul Mannions, that kind of team.

"It's massive for Keogs and Mento and a couple that might have had tough defeats at the hands of Dublin. Cillian O'Sullivan — guys like that who are around the squad.