O'Byrne Cup Semi-final/ Meath 0-16 Dublin 1-11: How do you compare beer with champagne? This was not a game of championship vigour; but, whenever Meath and Dublin are pitted against one another, the bragging rights are to be cherished.

Yesterday, at Parnell Park, some 8,000 crammed into the ground for an O'Byrne Cup semi-final that held them suitably enthralled until the end, when the boot of Peter Curran, securing his ninth score of a busy afternoon, settled matters in the visitors' favour. It was no more than Meath deserved.

For many on the field, this was an introduction to this age-old rivalry, and just how many will survive into the summer when the tempo is upped and the sod is firmer remains to be seen. Yet, even with so many fringe players and new faces, these rivals produced a nip-and-tuck encounter.

That Meath emerged as victors, booking a home final in Navan against Offaly next Sunday, was probably because they were a bit more streetwise. Despite being reduced to 14 men for the final seven minutes, after Séamus Kenny was sent-off for a second yellow card, at which stage they held a one-point lead that lasted barely a minute after the defender's dismissal, Meath refused to lie down and proceeded to secure the win with two late frees from Curran.

"I asked this team to bring a bit of pride and passion back into Meath football," remarked a chirpy Meath manager, Eamon Barry. He could have no quibbles with the response. Barry Lynch was an effective aide to Nigel Crawford in winning the battle at centrefield, but Curran's accuracy was the principle factor in orchestrating a route to victory.

Ironically, the first time Curran came to anyone's notice in the match was for a free-taking misdemeanour in the 21st minute. From 20 yards out and in front of the goal, it was easier to score than to miss. Curran missed, to wild cheers and jeers from the Dublin supporters at the church end.

He was to have the last laugh, however, in racking up a personal haul of nine points, seven of them from frees.

Still and all, Dublin also had the winning of the match. Towards the end of the first half, back-to-back points from Tomás Quinn - the first an exquisite left-foot effort, the next a gift from a terrible kick-out from Ricky Nolan that went straight into the grateful hands of the Dublin forward - put the home team 0-6 to 0-4 in front, only for Meath to respond with four unanswered points, two from Curran and another brace from Daithi Regan, to transform a two-point deficit into a two-point advantage at the break.

If Dublin took an unduly long time to re-emerge for the second half, their intent was soon obvious. When Kevin Bonner, probably the most impressive of the newcomers, played a lovely pass in the 38th minute to Derek Byrne, Meath defender Caoimhin King pulled him down. Quinn placed the penalty low and hard to the right to bring the game level again.

Thereafter, the story of the second half was one of contrasts. All of Dublin's subsequent points, five of them came from play: four to Bonner, who gained confidence with each passing minute, and one to Byrne.

Meath's free rate in this period was four to one in their favour, and they made Dublin's indiscipline count with Curran scoring all seven of his team's scores. Five of the seven came from frees, with Curran's accuracy the difference between winning and losing.

"We got our heads in front at the right time . . . any day you come to Parnell Park and win is a good one," acknowledged Barry, who has been charged with taking Meath football into a new, post-Boylan era.

The O'Byrne Cup may be a small beginning, but it is a beginning nonetheless. More important days lie ahead, but next Sunday's final at least presents Barry with an opportunity to open his managerial career with some silverware.

MEATH: R Nolan; P Nugent, T O'Connor, C King; N McLoughlin, J Donoghue, S Kenny; B Lynch (0-1), N Crawford; P Curran (0-9, seven frees), J Sheridan (0-3, one 45), S McInerney; D Regan (0-3), C Brennan, M Doran. Subs: S Bray for Regan (47 mins), G Geraghty for Brennan (56 mins), P Byrne for Doran (70 mins).

DUBLIN: P Copeland; N O'Shea, B Cahill, M Fitzpatrick; D Henry, C Goggins, G Lewis; D Bastic, D Reilly; G O'Meara, T Quinn (1-5, three frees), D Murray; D Byrne (0-1), K Bonner (0-4), D McConn (0-1). Subs: S Ryan for Reilly (50 mins), D Marshall for McConn (50 mins), S Brehony for O'Shea (55 mins), E Fennelly for Bastic (63 mins), K Leahy for Byrne (66 mins).

Referee: M Deegan (Laois).