| 2023 Tailteann Cup final | |
| Event: | 2023 Tailteann Cup |
| Team1score: | 0–14 (14) |
| Team2score: | 2–13 (19) |
| Stadium: | Croke Park |
| City: | Dublin |
| Man Of The Match1a: | Jack Flynn (Meath) |
| Referee: | Noel Mooney (Cavan) |
| Previous: | 2022 |
| Next: | 2024 |
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 and .[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.
Meath won the match on a scoreline of 2–13 to 0–14.[3]
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]
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]
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| Man of the Match: Jack Flynn (Meath) |
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]