There were joyous scenes in Portlaoise as Meath held on grimly to beat Dublin in the Leinster championship for the first time since 2010.
The Royals, who had suffered badly under Dublin in the interim, had given themselves a chance at half time, working up a 0-17 to 0-5 lead at the break after another game in the 2025 season that had the wind as a significant factor.
Dublin had recalled John Small to the starting side after he rejoined the panel but Meath squeezed the Dublin kick out to good effect in the opening 35 minutes.
And with James Conlon in good form and the Royals shooting four first half two points, they took a 12 point lead in at the interval.
At half time, the bookmakers had Meath as slight favourites but Dublin got the ideal start with Con O’Callaghan booming over a two pointer.
Dublin had one sight on goal in the first half only for Seamus Lavin to clear off the line but there was to be no stopping Cormac Costello when he took a pass from O’Callaghan and slammed to the net on 54 minutes.
Meath were still six to the good at that point but there were signs they were tiring as they were caught for a ‘three up’ breach.
Paddy Small was causing plenty of problems and hit four second half points. And when Colm Basquel steered over a two pointer to leave two points between the teams on 64 minutes, Dublin looked primed to move into another Leinster final.
Sub Aaron Lynch made it a three point game before Eoghan Frayne’s last gasp free secured the win on a 0-23 to 1-16 scoreline.
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