2023 Tailteann Cup final

The 2023 Tailteann Cup final was the second final of the Tailteann Cup and the culmination of the 2023 Tailteann Cup, the GAA's second-tier Gaelic football competition for county teams. The match was played at Croke Park in Dublin on 15 July 2023, between Meath and Down.[1][2] The match was played prior to the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final between Dublin and Monaghan. It was televised live on RTÉ2 as part of The Sunday Game, presented by Joanne Cantwell from the Croke Park studio.

2023 Tailteann Cup final
Event2023 Tailteann Cup
Date15 July 2023 (2023-07-15)
VenueCroke Park, Dublin
Man of the MatchJack Flynn (Meath)
RefereeNoel Mooney (Cavan)
2022
2024

Meath won the match on a scoreline of 2–13 to 0–14.[3]

Paths to the final edit

Meath edit

13 May 2023 Group stage Meath   1–19 0–11   Tipperary Navan  
18:30 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Aaron Lynch 1
Pts: Aaron Lynch 3 (1f, 1m), Jordan Morris 4, Matthew Costello 3 (2f), Thomas O'Reilly 3, Jack O'Connor 2, Jack Flynn 1 (1f), Conor Gray 1, Donal Keogan 1, Donal Lenihan 1
Report
Pts: Jack Kennedy 3 (2 '45), Michael O'Reilly 2 (1f, 1 '45), Steven O'Brien 2 (1m), Mark Russell 2 (0–1f), Liam McGrath 1, Colman Kennedy 1
Referee: Brendan Griffin


20 May 2023 Group stage Waterford   1–14 3–17   Meath Dungarvan  
18:30 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Darragh Corcoran 0–8 (0–7f), Jason Curry 1–0, Conor Murray 0–2, Dermot Ryan 0–2, Tom O'Connell 0–1 (0–1f), Jordan O'Sullivan 0–1 Report Gls: Matthew Costello 1–5 (0–3f), Aaron Lynch 0–6 (0–2f), Donal Lenihan 1–2 (0–1f, 0–1m), Jordan Morris 1–2 (0–1m), Eoghan Frayne 0–1, James McEntee 0–1 Referee: Sean Lonergan


3 June 2023 Group stage Meath   1–11 1–9   Down Dublin  
13:00 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Jordan Morris 1–3 (1–0 pen, 0–1m), Daithi McGowan 0–2 (0–1f, 0–1 '45), James McEntee 0–2, Jack Flynn 0–1 (0–1f), Donal Lenihan 0–1 (0–1f), Jack O'Connor 0–1, Matthew Costello 0–1 Report Gls: Pat Havern 0–5 (0–5f), Odhran Murdock 1–0, Liam Kerr 0–2 (0–1f), Niall Kane 0–1 (0–1 '45), Daniel Guinness 0–1 Referee: Fergal Kelly


17 June 2023 Quarter-final Meath   2–23 0–12   Wexford Navan  
16:00 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Aaron Lynch 1, Cathal Hickey 1
Pts: Jordan Morris 6 (1m), James McEntee 6, Aaron Lynch 2, Matthew Costello 4 (2f), Daithi McGowan 3, Jack Flynn 1, Eoghan Frayne 1
Report
Pts: Mark Rossiter 2 (2f), Ben Brosnan 2 (2f), Eoghan Nolan 2, Eoin Porter 1, Glen Malone 1, Liam Coleman 1, Paraic Hughes 1, Richard Waters 1, Jonathan Bealin 1
Referee: Brendan Griffin


25 June 2023 Semi-final Meath   2–16 2–14   Antrim Dublin  
14:00 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Jordan Morris 1, Aaron Lynch 1
Pts: Sean Brennan; Adam O'Neill, Ronan Ryan, Harry O'Higgins; Donal Keogan, Padraic Harnan, Sean Coffey; Jack Flynn 2, Conor Gray 1; Jack O'Connor 1, James McEntee 1, Cathal Hickey 1; Jordan Morris 4, Mathew Costello 4, 1f, Aaron Lynch 2, 1m
Report Gls: Patrick McBride 1, Dominic McEnhill 1 pen
Pts: Michael Byrne 2 (1f, 1 '45); Ronan Boyle, Peter Healy, Eoghan McCabe; Patrick McCormick, Declan Lynch, Dermot McAleese 2; Cathal Hynds, Joseph Finnegan; Ruairi McCann (Creggan) 1, Adam Loughran 3, Marc Jordan; Patrick McBride 1, Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) 1, Dominic McEnhill 3 (2f)
Referee: Barry Judge


Down edit

13 May 2023 Group stage Down   2–14 1–6   Waterford Newry  
18:00 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Pat Havern 0–5 (0–2f, 0–1m), Andrew Gilmore 0–4 (0–2f), Eamon Brown 1–0, Odhran Murdock 1–0, Donagh McAleenan 0–2, Anthony Morgan 0–1, Shealan Johnston 0–1, Eugene Branagan 0–1 Report Gls: Conor Murray 1–0, Jason Curry 0–2 (0–2f), Darragh Corcoran 0–2, Jason Gleeson 0–1 (0–1f), Dermot Ryan 0–1 Referee: Barry Cassidy


21 May 2023 Group stage Tipperary   0–6 2–18   Down Thurles  
13:45 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Jack Kennedy 0–4 (0–1f), Sean O'Connor 0–2 Report Gls: Pat Havern 0–6 (0–5f), Shealan Johnston 1–1 (0–1f), Odhran Murdock 1–0, Danny Magill 0–3, Eamon Brown 0–2 (0–2f), Ceilum Doherty 0–2, Andrew Gilmore 0–1 (0–1f), Conor Francis 0–1, Ryan Johnston 0–1, Ross Carr 0–1 Referee: Thomas Murphy


3 June 2023 Group stage Meath   1–11 1–9   Down Dublin  
13:00 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Jordan Morris 1–3 (1–0 pen, 0–1m), Daithi McGowan 0–2 (0–1f, 0–1 '45), James McEntee 0–2, Jack Flynn 0–1 (0–1f), Donal Lenihan 0–1 (0–1f), Jack O'Connor 0–1, Matthew Costello 0–1 Report Gls: Pat Havern 0–5 (0–5f), Odhran Murdock 1–0, Liam Kerr 0–2 (0–1f), Niall Kane 0–1 (0–1 '45), Daniel Guinness 0–1 Referee: Fergal Kelly


10 June 2023 Preliminary quarter-final Down   1–20 1–12   Longford Newry  
19:00 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Danny Magill 1
Pts: Pat Havern 6 (2f), Rory Mason 3 (0–2f), Andrew Gilmore 3 (1f), Ross Carr 2 (1m), Eugene Branagan 2, Patrick McCarthy 1, Ceilum Doherty 1, Donagh McAleenan 1, Liam Kerr 1
Report Gls: Joe Hagan 1
Pts: Joe Hagan 3, Dylan Farrell 2 (1f, 1 '45), Darragh Doherty 2 (1m), Keelin McGann 2, Patrick Fox 1, Ryan Moffett 1, Dessie Reynolds 1
Referee: Anthony Nolan


17 June 2023 Quarter-final Cavan   0–15 1–17   Down Cavan  
17:15 IST (UTC+1)

Pts: Oisin Brady 8 (4f, 2m), Padraig Faulkner 2, Gearóid McKiernan 1 (1f), Oisín Kiernan 1, Cian Madden 1, Tiarnan Madden 1, Brandon Boylan 1
Report Gls: Danny Magill 1
Pts: Pat Havern 5 (2f, 1m), Rory Mason 4 (1f), Liam Kerr 4, Danny Magill 1, Patrick McCarthy 1, Ryan Johnston 1, Shane Annett 1
Referee: Seamus Mulhare


25 June 2023 Semi-final Down   8–16 2–12   Laois Dublin  
16:00 IST (UTC+1)
Gls: Danny Magill 2, Pat Havern 1, Liam Kerr 3, Rory Mason 1, Odhrán Murdock 1
Pts: Niall Kane 1 ('45); Míceal Rooney, Ceilum Doherty 2 (1m); Daniel Guinness, Pat Havern 3; Liam Kerr 2, Ryan Johnston 1, Eugene Branagan 3; Rory Mason 1 (1f); Odhrán Murdock 1, Shealan Johnston
Gls: Mark Barry 2 (1 pen)
Pts: Killian Roche 1 ('45); Trevor Collins, Robert Pigott, Seán Greene; Pádraig Kirwan, Mark Timmons, Patrick O’Sullivan; Kieran Lillis, Damon Larkin; James Finn, Paul Kingston 1, Mark Barry 6 (4f, 1m); Evan O'Carroll 1; Eoin Lowry 2 (1m), Colm Murphy
Referee: Barry Tiernan


Pre-match edit

As the match was played prior to the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final between Dublin and Monaghan, the demand for tickets for the final was high. Some Meath fans expressed their frustrations online at their inability to get a ticket through general release.[4]

On 7 July, Cavan's Noel Mooney was named as referee for the final.[5]

Match edit

Summary edit

Down started much the brighter of the two, their eagerness to get the game going reflected in a four points to one lead, but a fortuitous Meath goal on 17 minutes changed the complexion of the game. Jack Flynn lobbed a shot in from distance with a point in mind, but the ball pounded off the upright and dropped in front of goal where it deflected off Ronan Jones and into the net.

Matthew Costello's second pointed free for Meath left them a point ahead approaching the interval but Liam Kerr levelled it up at 1–3 to 0–6 when he blasted over a great goal chance for Down. Down were reduced to 14 in the 29th minute when Ceilum Doherty was shown a black card for a pull down.

Back to back points from Down goalkeeper Niall Kane amounted to a solid start to the second-half for the favourites, but Cathal Hickey and Jones cancelled those scores out and Jack O'Connor, who was only on as a sub, put Meath into a 1–6 to 0–8 lead.

Flynn was the Man of the Match who nudged Meath to victory with four more terrific scores for the Royals, all coming in a crucial period around the hour mark as they set the seal on victory. O'Connor snatched Meath's second goal in the dying moments after a turnover in the Down defence, summing up the excellent work of the Meath backs.[6][7][8]

Details edit

Down  0–14 – 2–13  Meath
Pat Havern 0–4 (0–3f), Niall Kane 0–2 (0–1f, 0–1 '45), Liam Kerr 0–2, Ryan Johnston 0–2, Ceilum Doherty 0–1, Odhran Murdock 0–1, Shealan Johnston 0–1, Andrew Gilmore 0–1 Report Jack O'Connor 1–2, Jack Flynn 0–4, Ronan Jones 1–1, Matthew Costello 0–3 (0–2f), Cathal Hickey 0–2, Jordan Morris 0–1
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Down
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meath
1 Niall Kane
2 Patrick McCarthy   60'
3 Pierce Laverty (c)
4 Anthony Doherty   70+4'
5 Miceal Rooney
6 Ceilum Doherty   29' to 39'
7 Danny Magill   59'
8 Daniel Guinness   63'
9 Odhran Murdock
10 Shealan Johnston   56'
11 Liam Kerr
12 Rory Mason   43'
13 Eugene Branagan
14 Pat Havern
15 Ryan Johnston
Substitutes:
16 John O'Hare
17 Shane Annett   43'
18 Ryan McEvoy   63'
19 Ross Carr
20 Patrick Branagan   60'
21 Donagh McAleenan   56'
22 Gerard Collins
23 Andrew Gilmore   59'
24 Conor Poland
25 Peter Fegan
26 Ryan Magill

Manager:
Conor Laverty
1 Seán Brennan
2 Adam O'Neill
3 Ronan Ryan
17 Ciaran Caulfield   57'
5 Donal Keogan (c)
6 Padraic Harnan
7 Sean Coffey
8 Ronan Jones   25'
9 Conor Gray
19 Cathal Hickey   40'   69'
11 James McEntee   53'
20 Jack Flynn
13 Jordan Morris   66'
14 Mathew Costello
15 Aaron Lynch   47'
Substitutes:
16 Harry Hogan
4 Harry O'Higgins   57'
10 Daithí McGowan   69'
12 Jack O'Connor   47'
18 Cillian O'Sullivan   53'
21 Eoghan Frayne
22 Michael Flood
23 Donal Lenihan   66'
24 Diarmuid Moriarty
25 Keith Curtis
26 Ben Wyer

Manager:
Colm O'Rourke

Man of the Match:
Jack Flynn (Meath)

Post-match edit

Meath captain Donal Keogan accepted the Tailteann Cup from GAA president Larry McCarthy in the Hogan Stand.[9]

Huge crowds turned out for a homecoming event on 17 July in Páirc Tailteann, Navan from 7:30pm to welcome home the Tailteann Cup and the winning team, with supporters being urged to turn out wearing their green and gold.[10][11]

References edit

  1. ^ "Tailteann Cup final round: All you need to know". RTÉ Sport. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Tailteann Cup semi-finals recap: Meath and Down book final date". RTÉ News. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  3. ^ Verney, Michael (15 July 2023). "Jack Flynn on fire as Colm O'Rourke's Royals end 13-year wait for Croke Park silverware". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  4. ^ Geoghegan, Jimmy (5 July 2023). "Lack of tickets for Tailteann Cup final deemed 'a disgrace'". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Referees appointed for All-Ireland SFC Semi-Finals and Tailteann Cup Final". GAA.ie. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  6. ^ Ingram, Elaine (15 July 2023). "Meath come good in second half to land Tailteann Cup". RTÉ News. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  7. ^ O'Brien, Brendan (15 July 2023). "Meath overcome wasteful Down to secure Tailteann Cup glory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  8. ^ Keane, Paul (15 July 2023). "Tailteann Cup Final: Flynn inspires Meath". GAA.ie. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  9. ^ Lynch, Fergal (15 July 2023). "Stunning second-half clinches Tailteann Cup for magnificent Meath". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  10. ^ Lynch, Fergal (16 July 2023). "Huge crowd expected for Royal homecoming". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  11. ^ O'Driscoll, Marc (16 July 2023). "Homecoming organised for Tailteann Cup-winning Meath team". LMFM. Retrieved 17 July 2023.