Dublin avoid red after strike to face as Meath star accused of ‘diving’

Controversy in Portlaoise.

It also gave the Royals a first Leinster SFC final since 2020.

And perhaps it was what Dublin deserved after luckily avoiding a first-half red card.

Kilmacud Crokes defender Theo Clancy clearly struck Meath's James Conlon in the face with an open hand, as the forward went down in a heap.

By the letter of the law it was a red card, although some fans were accusing the victim of play acting.

One fan wrote, 'a shocking dive', while another said 'Ref or officials never saw it probably a tough one if they’re focused on other stuff, the dive is embarrassing though'.

After Dublin's narrow win over Wicklow earlier this month, manager Dessie Farrell had warned his side that they would lose Leinster if they did not improve.

He said: "I think overall, probably just disappointed with the level of intensity we displayed today.

"I know we had a lot of championship debutants, I think six in total, so some inexperience out there, but there's a lot of senior leaders out there as well.

"Overall, it wouldn't excuse the type of performance we've produced today. It is disappointing.

"It's something that the lads will be very frustrated with themselves and it's something that we will reflect on over the next 48 hours or so.

"We started reasonably well, looked like we'd kick on and then completely took the foot out off the gas.

"Whether we thought the job was done or not, I don't know, but definitely Wicklow were well up for it and kept fighting to the bitter end.

"They were well organised and well coached. Oisin McConville is doing a great job with them and they really put up a formidable test and one that we struggled to overcome at times.

"It's definitely something for us to take away because that level of performance won't be good enough In Leinster this season.

"We coughed up a couple of good goal chances as well so a lot for us to work on in terms of the overall level of intensity. The purposefulness in our performance today just wasn't good enough."