Meath GAA
Encyclopedia
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association
(GAA) or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards
of the GAA in Ireland
, and is responsible for Gaelic games
in County Meath
, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.
The county had to wait until 1939 for its next appearance at All-Ireland level, this time losing narrowly to Kerry by 2-5 to 2-3 in the final. In the intervening period, the county had achieved its first national success by winning the National League of 1933.
All-Ireland success finally came in 1949 when Meath beat Cavan in the final by 1-10 to 1-6. This first great Meath team achieved a second title in 1954, beating Kerry in the final, 1-13 to 1-7. In between these two successes, they appeared in two other finals, losing in 1951 and 1952 to Mayo and Cavan, respectively and also lost out in the National League final of 1951 to Cavan.
During this period, their Leinster Championship rivalry with Louth became legendary: in the six provincial championships between 1948 and 1953 the sides met each year. The 1949 match went to three meetings, while those of 1950 and 1951 were replayed.
not been controversially disallowed in the semi-final. Meath were beaten in the 1966 All-Ireland final by a legendary Galway
team that was winning its third All-Ireland title in a row.
After the 1966 final defeat, centre-back Bertie Cunningham
declared his intentions, saying "next year, we will come back and win the All-Ireland". Sure enough, Terry Kearns secured the Sam Maguire Cup
for Meath with a punched goal in the 1967 final to defeat Cork.
Meath won the National Football League in 1975 and looked a promising prospect for the All-Ireland. Defeat at the hands of Kevin Heffernan's
Dublin
team, however, was an indication of what was to come. Heffo's Dubs prevented Meath from winning provincial titles, before a talented Offaly
team emerged to win more Leinster titles and become the only team capable of challenging the great Kerry
team that dominated football between 1975 and 1986.
Meath looked far from All-Ireland Championship material when losing to Wexford
in 1981 and Longford
in 1982. A series of goalkeeping errors cost them the 1983 Leinster
quarter-final against Dublin
. By this time, though, Meath had converted the hurling team's masseur, Sean Boylan
into a fully fledged team manager, and few could have predicted the success that would fall upon the county under his reign.
's initial appointment was greeted with scepticism as it had always been known that Boylan was a capable hurler, but that his role in football was seen as limited to merely repairing the players, and not training them. Boylan's first task was to prepare Meath for an opening match against a Dublin
team led by legendary midfielder Brian Mullins
. The first match resulted in a draw, as a result of a fortunate ricochet shot from Barney Rock
against new Meath half back Colm Colyle. The replay also ended with level scores, with Boylan gaining public support as a trainer of real substance. Dublin, however, went on to win the second replay in extra time, before going on to win the All-Ireland that year. Meath were still not being seen, though, as being close to Championship-winning material at that stage.
In 1984 the GAA initiated a one-off prestigious competition called the Centenary Cup, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the GAA's foundation. Despite a concerted effort by the Kerry
team (who had won four All-Irelands in a row from 1978–1981) that as the county with the greatest tradition, that victory in the competition was a divine right, the Centenary Cup final was ultimately played between Meath and Monaghan
. Meath emerged as winners, and after winning the Centenary Cup, Boylan was asked for comment. He replied to say that Meath intended to retain their title another hundred years later.
The 1980s team progressed cautiously towards victory. They missed full-back Mick Lyons
for the 1984 Leinster final against Dublin and in 1985 slipped up against Laois
in the semi-final. It was therefore not until 1986 that Meath won the first of three consecutive Leinster titles, and followed it up with All-Ireland victories in 1987 and 1988, with two defeats of Cork in the finals, the latter following a replay. Meath also secured the National Football League
in 1988. No county has won two Championships, with the National Football League between them, since. In 1989 the Champions were defeated by Dublin, while in 1990 Cork secured victory over Meath in an All-Ireland final, completing a historic All-Ireland Hurling and Football double.
resulted in the first match ending in a draw, requiring the teams to meet again. Again the replay ended in a draw, and extra time was required, which failed to separate the teams, resulting in a third match.
At this stage it seemed the whole country was discussing the great competition that had suddenly developed between these neighbours. The fact that both were seen as having strong defining characteristics added to the sense of competition. Dublin was urban, large, noisy, and the capital of the modern Ireland. Meath was more rural, heroic, understated, and home to the capital of ancient Ireland, Tara. Dublin was identified as home to people of an easygoing, sociable, confident, straightforward, diplomatic, and street smart disposition with a team to represent. Meath was seen as representing people that were of an industrious, brave, determined, honourable, blunt manner. It was a battle between two different human dispositions, even though the football techniques of both were similar. In the midst of this, the teams were close neighbours, and the players would often be living or working amongst supporters of the other team. In addition, Meath's Terry Ferguson was the son of a former Dublin footballer; while the father of Dublin's Paul Curran had played for Meath.
The third meeting of the teams was expected to be close, but because the Dublin players were younger and more resourceful, as time went on Dublin were expected to gain the upper hand. The third game, though, again ended in a draw, even after extra time, and a fourth match was required. At this stage it seemed impossible for either team to overcome the other. In the fourth match - an unprecedented third replay, taking place on the same weekend that the Leinster final was originally meant to have been played - Dublin built up a strong lead, above what they had managed in the previous meetings. However the Meath players showed true doggedness, and an injury time goal from the unlikeliest of scorers - defender Kevin Foley - brought Meath level. The dynamics now favoured Meath and David Beggy managed to score a point directly from the restart to win the fourth match, bringing a remarkable saga to a final ending.
A tired Meath had finally qualified for the First Round of the Leinster Championship, and played the next match against Wicklow
, which also ended in a draw, before Meath emerged victorious in yet another replay. Meath then proceeded to beat Laois
in the semi-final, before overcoming Offaly
to win their hardest-fought Leinster title yet. Victory over Roscommon
in the All-Ireland semi-final set up a meeting with Down
in the All-Ireland final.
With each accumulated match, injuries were accumulating on the first fifteen players. Only three Meath players started the All-Ireland final in an injury-free status, hindering the team's game plan which required at least elven players in defined positions. Colm O'Rourke
Meath's star player was incapable of playing a full seventy minutes. There were insufficient players for replacement but by now Meath had acquired an air of invincibility. However Down
were the Ulster team with the best tradition in the Championship and represented serious contenders.
In the final itself, Meath fell far behind in the second half and had to stage yet another comeback. Colm O'Rourke appeared as a substitute with twenty minutes left to play as Meath trailed by eleven points. O'Rourke immediately started to help Meath accumulate scores, and entering injury time the gap was reduced to two, before Bernard Flynn came within inches of scoring what would have been a winning goal. The great Meath side had finally run out of time. Down won a historic Championship on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-14.
The 1992 Championship started with a three point home defeat to Laois
which proved the final outing for many of the great side who then retired from inter-county football.
title in 1994 with Robbie O'Malley of St. Colmcille's captaining the side to victory over Armagh
. In the Championship, though, 1994 Meath were beaten by Dublin and the last of the team of 1986-94 retired.
A new team was formed for 1995. This team included many new stars like Trevor Giles
Graham Geraghty
and Darren Fay
. However, these younger players were largely inexperienced for championship football and came up short against a Dublin team determined to win the Championship outright. The resultant 10-point drubbing left a strong impression on the younger Meath players of how much work was needed to win silverware.
In 1996 Meath were not expected to be successful and many were surprised to see the team reach another Leinster final against Dubiln. Leading 0-10 to 0-8 in the driving rain at the death, a ball was lobbed towards the Meath goal. Meath supporters were delighted to hear the referee blow his whistle for a free out for pushing by Dublin players as the ball was in the air. Meath were Leinster champions again. In beating a consistent Tyrone
side in the semi-final, Sean Boylan managed to lead the same team that got nowhere in 1995 to an All-Ireland final in 1996. Meath came back from six points down to force a draw with Mayo
in the 1996 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
final, forcing a replay. On 29 September 1996, with both sides having been reduced to 14 men following an infamous brawl early in the game, Meath again came from behind and defeated Mayo by 2-9 to 1-11 to claim their sixth All-Ireland. Captain Tommy Dowd
, who was living in the Meath Gaeltacht, produced probably the longest victory speech ever given by a Leinster captain.
1997 saw Meath start the Championship against an ambitious Kildare
team coached by the Kerry legend Mick O'Dwyer
. Meath's previous record against Kildare had been excellent and Meath were expected to be sufficient to win despite Kildare's hunger and superior fitness. O'Dwyer's appointment created massive support in Kildare for their team though and ensured that the opening match had full attendance in Croke Park
, with Kildare fans outnumbering Meath fans. This was a sign of the times as a few years earlier Meath were one of the best supported of any county but their supporters had become accustomed to success under Boylan and no longer travelled to big games in large numbers. The match saw Kildare
emerge displaying an unexpected quality of football. Kildare led for most of the match with Meath only managing to draw level in the last minute as the Meath forwards found the Kildare defence very difficult to negotiate.
The replay finished level after ordinary time and extra time was now required to produce a winner. In extra time Kildare running on the never-ending engine of Willie McCreedy in midfield quickly created a six point lead. It seemed as if Kildare's fitness had run Meath into the ground. Then Boylan produced a tactical masterstroke introducing substitute Jody Devine who scored six points in quick succession and helping Meath pull ahead by a single point before Kildare grabbed a freakish point to end the match in yet another draw. The sides therefore met again in a third match. This time the weather had changed and the match was played in rain. Again Meath's determination and bravery earned a strong victory; however as in 1991 this sequence of matches had resulted in accumulated injuries. Meath were without a meaningful defence in the Leinster Senior Football Championship
Final against Offaly
and the Offaly attack ran riot.
In 1998 Meath produced a performance against Offaly
that was like the effect of an unwound spring. However Kildare had already managed to beat a transitional Dublin side and were now playing again at a very high level of fitness and determination. The 1998 Leinster Final between Meath and Kildare was a bad-tempered affair with Meath's Brendan Reilly sent off for a dangerous foul on Kildare centre-back Declan Kerrigan. Kildare's fitness began to cause Meath more problems as the Lilywhites again attacked in waves. This time Kildare had learnt the lessons of the previous year and produced greater more well-taken scores. In contrast reduced to 14 players and playing a team with superior fitness Meath were collapsing under the physical strain of the match. Kildare held onto their lead and a last attack by Meath ended in a questionable refereeing decision which resulted in Kildare moving the ball swiftly downfield. This presented an opportunity for Kildare to expose gaps in the Meath defence due to Kildare's numerical superiority and the resulting goal firmly clinched the match for Kildare.
and Dublin drifting rudderless, Meath won the 1999 Leinster Championship with emphatic wins over Wicklow (0-16 to 0-6), Offaly (1-13 to 0-9), and their great rivals Dublin (1-14 to 0-12).
Meath now found themselves in an All-Ireland semi-final with Armagh. Armagh played all the best football in the first half with two incisive moves that opened up the Meath defence and resulted in goals for the outstanding Diarmud Marsden and half-back Hughes. However in the second half, the Meath defence kept a much tighter rein on the Armagh forwards, and when Armagh's full-back Ger Reid, who had muted the attacking presence of Graham Geraghty, was sent off persistent fouling, Meath took control. Meath's right half forward, Evan Kelly, in particular shone in the second half with three fine points from play, to assist the Royal's in running out comfortable winners by 0-15 to 2-5. Meath had now reached another All-Ireland final against their rivals of decade previously, Cork. Captained by the nineteen year-old right corner forward and free-taker, Philip Clifford, Cork had hammered Kerry in the Munster final by a 2-10 to 2-04 scoreline, and despite starting poorly against Connaught champions Mayo, they went on to run out easy winners by a 2-12 to 0-12 scoreline in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In the final Meath and Cork exchanged some early scores with Meath maintaining their lead through to half time (1-5 to 0-5) thanks to an Ollie Murphy
goal midway through the first half. However, the second half opened with Trevor Giles
missing an early penalty which would have put six points between the sides. Buoyed by this twist of fate Cork carried the ball downfield from Giles' penalty rebound to score a point and bring their deficit to two points. Two minutes later, Croke Park witnessed one of the greatest individual goals ever scored on All-Ireland football final day, when Cork centre-half-forward, Joe Kavanagh, winning the ball on the Meath forty, went on a solo run, beating three Meath defenders, giving and taking a return pass, before crashing a twenty yard shot past the diving Cormac O'Sullivan into the roof of the Meath net. Now behind for the first time at 1-6 to 1-5, having briefly glimpsed a six point lead only five minutes before, Meath's resolve was put to the test. However, from here on Meath took a firm grip on the game, and with superb performances from Graham Geraghty (who eclipsed Cork full-back Sean Og O'Hailpin in scoring three fine points from play) Trevor Giles, and John McDermott, Meath regrouped to outscore Cork by 0-6 to 0-2 in the final quarter, and win their seventh All-Ireland on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-8.
ending in a last-gasp one point victory for Meath. Meath went on to beat Kildare convincingly in the next round by 1-16 to 0-11, before taking on and beating Dublin by 2-11 to 0-14 in the Leinster final. 2001 being the inaugural year of the revised All-Ireland Qualifier system, however, meant that Meath met Westmeath again in the new All-Ireland Quarter-Finals. This time it was expected that Meath would win, and again Meath had a psychological edge having never lost a Championship match to Westmeath. However, Westmeath showed great tactical awareness, superior fitness, and great eagerness to play fast open football and for much of the game this caused much dismay to the Meath defence which at club level was more prepared for direct football and man-for-man marking. Aided by some poor Meath defending and a somewhat fortuitous goal, Westmeath were on the brink of a three point victory when in the dying moments of injury time Ollie Murphy got the ball in a melee of players at the Canal End goal and from fifteen metres out unleashed a rasping shot into the top right hand corner of the Westmeath net. The strangest thing of all was that Murphy did not look at where he was kicking the ball - he literally shot based on where he assumed there was a vacant position in the goal. Having gotten out of jail, Meath performed somewhat truer to form in the third meeting of these two teams and ran out relatively comfortable four point victors in the replay.
Meath now faced Kerry
in the All-Ireland semi-final of 2001. Given Kerry's great experience and tradition, and the fact that Meath were in the habit of cutting things a bit fine, it was expected that Kerry would win. Furthermore Kerry's team featured the legendary Maurice Fitzgerald
, certainly one of the greatest footballers of his generation. Kerry were managed by defensive legend Páidí Ó Sé
and had a number of All-Ireland winners from 2000 available. Three superbly taken first half points from Ollie Murphy - who had given Kerry's Michael McCarthy a torrid time - and a well-taken goal by John McDermott helped Meath to at half-time lead of 1-6 to 0-4. However, what transpired in the second half was a collapse of unimaginable proportions by Kerry, during which Meath out-scored Kerry by 1-8 to 0-1, with the final scoreline of 2-14 to 0-5. Meath were so dominant in the ten minutes after half time that they went on a point scoring spree that meant the game was over with 20 minutes or so remaining, and the match was memorable for the unprecedented sight of Kerry fans leaving in their droves long before the full-time whistle. The Meath men look like All-Ireland winners before the Final had even started.
The result was not due to an unexpected physical approach from Meath - clashes between the Kingdom of Kerry
and the Royals of Meath tended to be honourable and very clean out of longstanding mutual respect for each others traditions. Meath were simply baffled at Kerry
's complete lack of focus after half-time and clearly expected a much firmer performance from their opponents. This left many Meath fans wary about the Final with Meath fans and players completely resolute in their belief that nothing had been won. In comparison, Meath's opponents in the final, Galway
, had beaten a Derry
team that had shown insufficient fitness and eagerness to reach an All-Ireland final.
Meath went into the All-Ireland final as overwhelming favourites. The scores were tied at 0-7 each at half time in what was a careful and cautious match, as Darren Fay held Galway's star full-forward Padraig Joyce scoreless. Joyce was switched to corner forward at half time and Galway quickly built up an early lead in the Second half. Meath centre-half back Nigel Nestor was sent off for a second bookable offence - a foul on Jarlath Fallon - before star Meath forward Ollie Murphy, who was the most effective Meath forward that day, sustained a broken hand after being trod upon. These changes to the balance between the teams gave Galway an edge on the field that they had already been preparing in their own inner resolve. Just as the match seemed to be slipping away from Meath, though, John McDermott
raised another attack on the Galway defence that resulted in a penalty awarded to Meath. Trevor Giles
, Meath's captain and free-taker, was allocated the responsibility for this task as part of his team role. His shot, however, drifted agonisingly wide, and with it went Meath's chances of getting back into the game. From there, the outstanding Padraig Joyce continued to bedevil the Meath defence - ecilpsing Mark O'Reilly in doing so - the Meath management all to belatedly sought to rectify the problem by putting Darren Fay back on Joyce, and Galway ran out emphatic victors on a 0-17 to 0-8 scorline.
team - managed by the same Mick O'Dwyer who had earlier led Kildare - which together have dominated Leinster
football. At All-Ireland level Kerry
Armagh
and Tyrone
have won honours and dominated finals. Meath have not earned any Championship honours since 2001. Furthermore, Meath teams have been generally showing reduced levels of competitiveness each year after exiting from the Leinster Championship. This indicates a general acceptance that the Leinster Championship is seen as the most achievable objective for the side.
In 2005 Sean Boylan announced that he would not be seeking re-appointment as Meath manager. Boylan's 22-year term represents a record in modern GAA. In this spell he managed to lead two entirely different teams to win four All-Ireland titles, while coming very close to winning another two. He introduced an increased tactical awareness to the game. Critics have argued that in sending out highly motivated players, Boylan has increased the physical nature of the game and given rise to the 'Puke Football' tactic being pursued by modern Ulster teams.
s. After just one season, Barry was deposed and replaced with Colm Coyle, a three-time All-Ireland winner and former selector under Sean Boylan. Coyle had previously managed the Monaghan county side - winning his very first match against then All-Ireland champions Armagh - and so there was renewed hope in the team.
The 2007 season began with a Croke Park sell-out against old foes and reigning two-time Leinster champions Dublin. Inspired by Graham Geraghty, Mark Ward
, captain Anthony Moyles
and Caoimhin King, Meath snatched an unlikely draw, raising hopes and interest in the county. A narrow defeat in the replay set the foundations for what turned out to be a relatively successful season with strong "back-door" victories setting up a quarter-final meeting with a much-fancied Tyrone
side which Meath won with an excellent display. Meath met Cork in the semi-final while Kerry and Dublin renewed old rivalries in the other, raising the prospects of a number of mouthwatering potential All-Ireland final fixtures. Meath, though, did not become part of them, with a disappointing display against Cork meaning a semi-final would be the culmination of their season. Cork went on to lose heavily to Kerry in the All-Ireland final.
Meath's 2008 season began with a strong win over unfancied Carlow
before a quarter-final fixture with a resurgent Wexford
team saw Meath lose an 10-point lead at the interval and fall behind in injury time. While Wexford went on to meet Dublin in the Leinster final, Meath suffered a heavy defeat to Limerick
in the 1st round of the All-Ireland qualifier series and Colm Coyle
resigned as manager.
On November 10, 2008 Eamonn O'Brien
was confirmed to be the new Meath boss after the meeting of Meath County Board.
The 2009 season began with a the side facing old rivals Dublin
which was a very poor performance from both sides, But despite all that Meath lost the match, but had a good run through the qualifiers meeting Waterford
, Westmeath
, Roscommon
and then meeting Limerick
for the second time in the championship which others expected it to be like last year. But Meath got the best start with a goal from Cian Ward
. But Limerick
did pefrom well just before full-time two goals from Seannie Buckley and 2nd from sub Jim O'Donovan sealed the game to one point but was all too late for Limerick
as Meath went on to meet their 1996 All Ireland
finalists Mayo
. Mayo and Meath met at Croke Park on 9 August in the quarter finals, a game which Meath won by 2-15 to 1-15 in a very close fought game until Meath came good in the second half.They went on to meet Kerry in the All-Ireland semi final on the 30th of August.
This match was played in poor and slippery conditions with both sides making errors. An early penalty awarded for a foul on Colm Cooper, was scored by Kerry captain Darren Sullivan. Kerry pulled away in the next 20 minutes. However Meath fought back bravely to bring the sides close at half time. Jack O'Conner introduced Tommy Walsh after the break who scored 1-2 in quick succession. As Kerry went 8 points up the game was over despite a late rally from Meath who lost by 4 in the end.
The 2010 season began with the side beating Offaly
despite poor performance before reaching the quarter-final to face Laois
in a very rain soaked Croke Park
which was dragged to extra-time but ended up in a replay the week after. Meath won well before sending old rivals Dublin
for the first time since 2001 to reach the Leinster-Final.
Meath won the Leinster Final in controversial circumstances over Louth
. Meath were drawn in The All-Ireland Quarter-final to face Kildare
which was an excellent first-half performance but were later denied as Kildare
won 2-17 to 1-12.
In September, 2010 speculations begun whether or not Eamonn O'Brien
would continue as manager for 2011. On September 7, 2010 O'Brien was surprisingly axed as manager after the clubs board voted him out.
On 10 November 2010 former Monaghan
manager Séamus McEnaney
was confirmed as the new Meath manager. His appointment as manager meant that for the first time a non-native of Meath took charge of the team.
The 2011 season began with the side meeting Kildare
in a repeat of the 2010 Quarter Final. In a poor game, marred by a high number of wides from both teams, Kildare
emerged victorious by 0-16 to 0-10 which meant Meath entered the qualifiers. Meath hammered Louth by 9 points in Round 1 of the Qualifiers, 5-08 to 2-08, played at Breffni Park, Cavan. A 1-point victory over Galway in round 2 set-up another mouth-watering tie against Kildare in Round 3, however this was to be the end of the road for Meath in the 2011 championship as Kildare again came out on top, this time by a scoreline of 2-11 to 0-14.
against neighbors Louth. Meath won the match but both the way the match ended and the violent reaction of some Louth supporters to this led to controversy.
During the Leinster Final on July 11, 2010, deep into injury time in the 74th minute of the match against Louth, a goal was awarded by the referee
after brief consultation with only one of the match umpires although television coverage of the game proved that the ball was carried over the line by Meath player Joe Sherdian. Prior to the goal being awarded Meath had trailed by 1 point and with the referee blowing his whistle shortly afterwards this proved to be the decisive score.
Irate Louth fans stormed the pitch and commenced a process of chasing and physically assaulting the referee, who had to be led away by a Garda
escort in scenes broadcast to a live television audience. Other scenes of violence saw bottles being hurled from a stand, one striking a steward who fell to the ground and Meath substitute Mark Ward
was hit by a Louth fan. The situation led to much media debate in the days that followed, the violence was condemned and there were many calls for the game to be replayed in the national Media (including former Meath players Trevor Giles
and Bernard Flynn
.). GAA President Christy Cooney
said the events were a "watershed" and one where the "circumstances were bizarre. I have never seen circumstances like it as long as I have been a member of this Association". He promised life bans for those who assaulted the referee.
The day after the match the GAA released a statement confirming that Sludden admitted he had made an error. The GAA also stated that the rules left it powerless to offer a replay and that this would be decided by Meath, Following a Meath County Board meeting it emerged that in his match report that the referee had originally blown for a penalty for Meath but when the ball ended in the net decided to award the goal. The county board decided not to offer of a replay and that that would be "the end of the matter".
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
winning teams
Squad as per Meath vs Kildare (Leinster Quarter-final 2011)
quarter-finals: over Dublin
by 2-2 to 1-1 in 1936 and Kilkenny
by 2-6 to 1-6 in 1949. In 1951 they held Wexford to a draw in the quarter-final but lost the replay and Wexford went on to win the Leinster championship and join the elite. Having beaten Offaly to qualify for their ninth and last Leinster semi-final in 1954, Meath regressed until they won the 1985 Kehoe Cup
and the 1993 Senior B title.
After they re-entered the senior championship in 1994, their exploits included victories over Offaly
All-Ireland Senior Hurling champions
at the time by 1-12 to 1-11 in a February 1995 National Hurling League
match in Athboy
and Wexford
by 1-16 to 0-16 a fortnight later in Enniscorthy
.
Meath's hurlers currently play in the second-tier Christy Ring Cup
. They had been playing in the Christy Ring Cup
since the start of that competition but a bad 2008 cup run combined with a restructuring of hurling completions saw them relegated to the third-tier Nicky Rackard Cup
for the first time.
On 11 July 2009, Meath won the final of the Nicky Rackard Cup
at Croke Park
, beating London
2-18 to 1-15, thus promoting them back to the Christy Ring Cup for 2010.
in 2008 and 2009. They were finalists in the All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship
at Minor C level in 2011.
Notable players include soaring star award winners Louise Donoghue
and Jane Dolan
. Julian McDonnell refereed the All Ireland senior final of 1933.
Under Camogie’s National Development Plan 2010-2015, “Our Game, Our Passion,” five new camogie clubs are to be established in the county by 2015.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
(GAA) or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards
GAA county
A Gaelic Athletic Association county is a geographic region within the Gaelic Athletic Association , controlled by a county board and originally based on the counties of Ireland as they were in 1884. While the counties of Ireland have changed since the foundation of that date, the GAA counties have...
of the GAA in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and is responsible for Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
in County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.
Pre-1960s
The first notable Meath team was the Pierce O'Mahonys club from Navan that represented the county in the All-Ireland Final of 1895, in the days when the competition was played between the champion clubs from each county. O'Mahonys lost to Arravale Rovers of Tipperary by 0-4 to 0-3.The county had to wait until 1939 for its next appearance at All-Ireland level, this time losing narrowly to Kerry by 2-5 to 2-3 in the final. In the intervening period, the county had achieved its first national success by winning the National League of 1933.
All-Ireland success finally came in 1949 when Meath beat Cavan in the final by 1-10 to 1-6. This first great Meath team achieved a second title in 1954, beating Kerry in the final, 1-13 to 1-7. In between these two successes, they appeared in two other finals, losing in 1951 and 1952 to Mayo and Cavan, respectively and also lost out in the National League final of 1951 to Cavan.
During this period, their Leinster Championship rivalry with Louth became legendary: in the six provincial championships between 1948 and 1953 the sides met each year. The 1949 match went to three meetings, while those of 1950 and 1951 were replayed.
1960s and 1970s
Meath's team of the 1960s was characterised by a chronic inability to score until after half-time, but might have reached the 1964 All-Ireland final had a goal by Jack QuinnJack Quinn (Gaelic footballer)
Jack Quinn is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success play inter-county football in the sixties on the Meath team. For Meath he usually played Full Back. Sometimes he played at midfield, and often when Meath were chasing games he was moved...
not been controversially disallowed in the semi-final. Meath were beaten in the 1966 All-Ireland final by a legendary Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
team that was winning its third All-Ireland title in a row.
After the 1966 final defeat, centre-back Bertie Cunningham
Bertie Cunningham
Bertie Cunningham is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success play inter-county football in the sixties and early seventies on the Meath team. For Meath he usually played at Centre Back. He played club football for Ballivor. He won his...
declared his intentions, saying "next year, we will come back and win the All-Ireland". Sure enough, Terry Kearns secured the Sam Maguire Cup
Sam Maguire Cup
The Sam Maguire Cup, often called The Sam , is the name of the cup that is awarded to winners of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
for Meath with a punched goal in the 1967 final to defeat Cork.
Meath won the National Football League in 1975 and looked a promising prospect for the All-Ireland. Defeat at the hands of Kevin Heffernan's
Kevin Heffernan (Gaelic footballer)
-See also :* List of people on stamps of Ireland*Dublin GAA*Dublin GAA Honours*Dublin Senior Club Football Championship...
Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
team, however, was an indication of what was to come. Heffo's Dubs prevented Meath from winning provincial titles, before a talented Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
team emerged to win more Leinster titles and become the only team capable of challenging the great Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
team that dominated football between 1975 and 1986.
Meath looked far from All-Ireland Championship material when losing to Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
in 1981 and Longford
Longford GAA
The Longford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Longford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Longford...
in 1982. A series of goalkeeping errors cost them the 1983 Leinster
Leinster Senior Football Championship
The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
quarter-final against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
. By this time, though, Meath had converted the hurling team's masseur, Sean Boylan
Seán Boylan
Seán Boylan is a former football manager from Dunboyne, County Meath, Ireland. He retired from his position as manager of the Meath GAA Senior Football team on the evening of 31 August 2005 after twenty-three years in charge...
into a fully fledged team manager, and few could have predicted the success that would fall upon the county under his reign.
The Boylan Years - the 1980s
Sean BoylanSeán Boylan
Seán Boylan is a former football manager from Dunboyne, County Meath, Ireland. He retired from his position as manager of the Meath GAA Senior Football team on the evening of 31 August 2005 after twenty-three years in charge...
's initial appointment was greeted with scepticism as it had always been known that Boylan was a capable hurler, but that his role in football was seen as limited to merely repairing the players, and not training them. Boylan's first task was to prepare Meath for an opening match against a Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
team led by legendary midfielder Brian Mullins
Brian Mullins
Brian Mullins is a retired Gaelic football manager and former player. He played football with his local club St. Vincent's and was a member of the Dublin senior inter-county team from 1974 until 1985. Mullins later served as manager of both Dublin and Derry...
. The first match resulted in a draw, as a result of a fortunate ricochet shot from Barney Rock
Barney Rock
Barney Rock is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Ballymun Kickhams and was a member of the Dublin senior inter-county team from 1980 until 1991. Rock is regarded as one of Dublin's greatest-ever players.Rock was an unsuccessful candidate at the 1991...
against new Meath half back Colm Colyle. The replay also ended with level scores, with Boylan gaining public support as a trainer of real substance. Dublin, however, went on to win the second replay in extra time, before going on to win the All-Ireland that year. Meath were still not being seen, though, as being close to Championship-winning material at that stage.
In 1984 the GAA initiated a one-off prestigious competition called the Centenary Cup, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the GAA's foundation. Despite a concerted effort by the Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
team (who had won four All-Irelands in a row from 1978–1981) that as the county with the greatest tradition, that victory in the competition was a divine right, the Centenary Cup final was ultimately played between Meath and Monaghan
Monaghan GAA
The Monaghan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Monaghan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Monaghan and the Monaghan inter-county football and hurling teams. Separate county boards are responsible for the...
. Meath emerged as winners, and after winning the Centenary Cup, Boylan was asked for comment. He replied to say that Meath intended to retain their title another hundred years later.
The 1980s team progressed cautiously towards victory. They missed full-back Mick Lyons
Mick Lyons (Gaelic footballer)
Mick Lyons is a former Gaelic footballer who played for Summerhill and Meath. He won two All Ireland medals with Meath in 1987 and 1988 and has also won two All Star awards. He won the Meath Senior Football Championship with Summerhill in 1986. He has generally played at the full-back position...
for the 1984 Leinster final against Dublin and in 1985 slipped up against Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
in the semi-final. It was therefore not until 1986 that Meath won the first of three consecutive Leinster titles, and followed it up with All-Ireland victories in 1987 and 1988, with two defeats of Cork in the finals, the latter following a replay. Meath also secured the National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
in 1988. No county has won two Championships, with the National Football League between them, since. In 1989 the Champions were defeated by Dublin, while in 1990 Cork secured victory over Meath in an All-Ireland final, completing a historic All-Ireland Hurling and Football double.
1991 Championship
In 1991, the Leinster GAA Council decided to abandon the seeding system that had kept the previous year's finalists in opposite sides of the Leinster Championship draw. As a result, Meath and Dublin, having played the previous five Leinster finals, were drawn against each other in the Preliminary Round of the 1991 Leinster Championship. In the match Meath managed to catch up on a Dublin lead, and a long range shot from PJ Gillic bounced over the head of Dublin goalkeeper John O'LearyJohn O'Leary
John O'Leary may refer to:* John O'Leary , Irish nationalist who was imprisoned in England during the nineteenth century*John O'Leary , former Irish Fianna Fáil party politician and TD for Kerry South...
resulted in the first match ending in a draw, requiring the teams to meet again. Again the replay ended in a draw, and extra time was required, which failed to separate the teams, resulting in a third match.
At this stage it seemed the whole country was discussing the great competition that had suddenly developed between these neighbours. The fact that both were seen as having strong defining characteristics added to the sense of competition. Dublin was urban, large, noisy, and the capital of the modern Ireland. Meath was more rural, heroic, understated, and home to the capital of ancient Ireland, Tara. Dublin was identified as home to people of an easygoing, sociable, confident, straightforward, diplomatic, and street smart disposition with a team to represent. Meath was seen as representing people that were of an industrious, brave, determined, honourable, blunt manner. It was a battle between two different human dispositions, even though the football techniques of both were similar. In the midst of this, the teams were close neighbours, and the players would often be living or working amongst supporters of the other team. In addition, Meath's Terry Ferguson was the son of a former Dublin footballer; while the father of Dublin's Paul Curran had played for Meath.
The third meeting of the teams was expected to be close, but because the Dublin players were younger and more resourceful, as time went on Dublin were expected to gain the upper hand. The third game, though, again ended in a draw, even after extra time, and a fourth match was required. At this stage it seemed impossible for either team to overcome the other. In the fourth match - an unprecedented third replay, taking place on the same weekend that the Leinster final was originally meant to have been played - Dublin built up a strong lead, above what they had managed in the previous meetings. However the Meath players showed true doggedness, and an injury time goal from the unlikeliest of scorers - defender Kevin Foley - brought Meath level. The dynamics now favoured Meath and David Beggy managed to score a point directly from the restart to win the fourth match, bringing a remarkable saga to a final ending.
A tired Meath had finally qualified for the First Round of the Leinster Championship, and played the next match against Wicklow
Wicklow GAA
The Wicklow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wicklow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wicklow...
, which also ended in a draw, before Meath emerged victorious in yet another replay. Meath then proceeded to beat Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
in the semi-final, before overcoming Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
to win their hardest-fought Leinster title yet. Victory over Roscommon
Roscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
in the All-Ireland semi-final set up a meeting with Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
in the All-Ireland final.
With each accumulated match, injuries were accumulating on the first fifteen players. Only three Meath players started the All-Ireland final in an injury-free status, hindering the team's game plan which required at least elven players in defined positions. Colm O'Rourke
Colm O'Rourke
Colm O'Rourke is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland, a columnist with the Sunday Independent and a panellist on The Sunday Game on RTÉ Television....
Meath's star player was incapable of playing a full seventy minutes. There were insufficient players for replacement but by now Meath had acquired an air of invincibility. However Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
were the Ulster team with the best tradition in the Championship and represented serious contenders.
In the final itself, Meath fell far behind in the second half and had to stage yet another comeback. Colm O'Rourke appeared as a substitute with twenty minutes left to play as Meath trailed by eleven points. O'Rourke immediately started to help Meath accumulate scores, and entering injury time the gap was reduced to two, before Bernard Flynn came within inches of scoring what would have been a winning goal. The great Meath side had finally run out of time. Down won a historic Championship on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-14.
The 1992 Championship started with a three point home defeat to Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
which proved the final outing for many of the great side who then retired from inter-county football.
1994-1998 - A New Era
Meath won a LeagueNational Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
title in 1994 with Robbie O'Malley of St. Colmcille's captaining the side to victory over Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
. In the Championship, though, 1994 Meath were beaten by Dublin and the last of the team of 1986-94 retired.
A new team was formed for 1995. This team included many new stars like Trevor Giles
Trevor Giles
Trevor Giles is a successful Meath Gaelic Footballer. He is regarded as one of the best players of his generation. He plays club football for Skryne. He came to prominence first when he won an All Ireland minor medal with Meath in 1992. He would go on to win 2 All Ireland Senior medals, 3...
Graham Geraghty
Graham Geraghty (footballer)
Graham Geraghty , is a Gaelic football player for the Meath senior football team.-Football career:Geraghty achieved numerous honours during his playing career with the Meath football team. He received GAA All Stars Awards in 1994 and 1999. He won three Leinster Senior Football Championship medals...
and Darren Fay
Darren Fay
Darren Fay is a former successful Meath Gaelic Footballer. He is regarded the latest in a long line of Great Meath Full Backs, following the likes of Mick Lyons, Jack Quinn, Paddy O'Brien & Tommy "The Boiler" McGuinness and Brendan Murphy. He plays club football for Trim...
. However, these younger players were largely inexperienced for championship football and came up short against a Dublin team determined to win the Championship outright. The resultant 10-point drubbing left a strong impression on the younger Meath players of how much work was needed to win silverware.
In 1996 Meath were not expected to be successful and many were surprised to see the team reach another Leinster final against Dubiln. Leading 0-10 to 0-8 in the driving rain at the death, a ball was lobbed towards the Meath goal. Meath supporters were delighted to hear the referee blow his whistle for a free out for pushing by Dublin players as the ball was in the air. Meath were Leinster champions again. In beating a consistent Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
side in the semi-final, Sean Boylan managed to lead the same team that got nowhere in 1995 to an All-Ireland final in 1996. Meath came back from six points down to force a draw with Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in the 1996 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
final, forcing a replay. On 29 September 1996, with both sides having been reduced to 14 men following an infamous brawl early in the game, Meath again came from behind and defeated Mayo by 2-9 to 1-11 to claim their sixth All-Ireland. Captain Tommy Dowd
Tommy Dowd (footballer)
Tommy Dowd is a retired former Gaelic footballer for the Meath senior inter-county team in Ireland.-Playing career:Dowd enjoyed much success playing inter-county football in the 1990s on the Meath teams managed by Sean Boylan. For Meath he played in the half-forward line or the full-forward line....
, who was living in the Meath Gaeltacht, produced probably the longest victory speech ever given by a Leinster captain.
1997 saw Meath start the Championship against an ambitious Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
team coached by the Kerry legend Mick O'Dwyer
Mick O'Dwyer
Mick O'Dwyer , is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played Gaelic football with his local club Waterville and was a member of the Kerry senior team from 1956 until 1974...
. Meath's previous record against Kildare had been excellent and Meath were expected to be sufficient to win despite Kildare's hunger and superior fitness. O'Dwyer's appointment created massive support in Kildare for their team though and ensured that the opening match had full attendance in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
, with Kildare fans outnumbering Meath fans. This was a sign of the times as a few years earlier Meath were one of the best supported of any county but their supporters had become accustomed to success under Boylan and no longer travelled to big games in large numbers. The match saw Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
emerge displaying an unexpected quality of football. Kildare led for most of the match with Meath only managing to draw level in the last minute as the Meath forwards found the Kildare defence very difficult to negotiate.
The replay finished level after ordinary time and extra time was now required to produce a winner. In extra time Kildare running on the never-ending engine of Willie McCreedy in midfield quickly created a six point lead. It seemed as if Kildare's fitness had run Meath into the ground. Then Boylan produced a tactical masterstroke introducing substitute Jody Devine who scored six points in quick succession and helping Meath pull ahead by a single point before Kildare grabbed a freakish point to end the match in yet another draw. The sides therefore met again in a third match. This time the weather had changed and the match was played in rain. Again Meath's determination and bravery earned a strong victory; however as in 1991 this sequence of matches had resulted in accumulated injuries. Meath were without a meaningful defence in the Leinster Senior Football Championship
Leinster Senior Football Championship
The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
Final against Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
and the Offaly attack ran riot.
In 1998 Meath produced a performance against Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
that was like the effect of an unwound spring. However Kildare had already managed to beat a transitional Dublin side and were now playing again at a very high level of fitness and determination. The 1998 Leinster Final between Meath and Kildare was a bad-tempered affair with Meath's Brendan Reilly sent off for a dangerous foul on Kildare centre-back Declan Kerrigan. Kildare's fitness began to cause Meath more problems as the Lilywhites again attacked in waves. This time Kildare had learnt the lessons of the previous year and produced greater more well-taken scores. In contrast reduced to 14 players and playing a team with superior fitness Meath were collapsing under the physical strain of the match. Kildare held onto their lead and a last attack by Meath ended in a questionable refereeing decision which resulted in Kildare moving the ball swiftly downfield. This presented an opportunity for Kildare to expose gaps in the Meath defence due to Kildare's numerical superiority and the resulting goal firmly clinched the match for Kildare.
1999
In 1999 Meath introduced new players to replace a team that had now lost the inspirational Tommy Dowd and to introduce some badly needed pace in an attempt to compete with the increasing fitness levels of other counties. As in 1996 Meath were expected to end their season early and empty-handed. However with Kildare demoralised from losing the 1998 All-Ireland final to GalwayGalway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
and Dublin drifting rudderless, Meath won the 1999 Leinster Championship with emphatic wins over Wicklow (0-16 to 0-6), Offaly (1-13 to 0-9), and their great rivals Dublin (1-14 to 0-12).
Meath now found themselves in an All-Ireland semi-final with Armagh. Armagh played all the best football in the first half with two incisive moves that opened up the Meath defence and resulted in goals for the outstanding Diarmud Marsden and half-back Hughes. However in the second half, the Meath defence kept a much tighter rein on the Armagh forwards, and when Armagh's full-back Ger Reid, who had muted the attacking presence of Graham Geraghty, was sent off persistent fouling, Meath took control. Meath's right half forward, Evan Kelly, in particular shone in the second half with three fine points from play, to assist the Royal's in running out comfortable winners by 0-15 to 2-5. Meath had now reached another All-Ireland final against their rivals of decade previously, Cork. Captained by the nineteen year-old right corner forward and free-taker, Philip Clifford, Cork had hammered Kerry in the Munster final by a 2-10 to 2-04 scoreline, and despite starting poorly against Connaught champions Mayo, they went on to run out easy winners by a 2-12 to 0-12 scoreline in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In the final Meath and Cork exchanged some early scores with Meath maintaining their lead through to half time (1-5 to 0-5) thanks to an Ollie Murphy
Ollie Murphy
Ollie Murphy is a Meath Footballer. He plays club football for Carnaross. He came to national prominence in 1999 when he was one of Meath's best player's as they won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship that year, scoring the decisive goal in that year's All Ireland final...
goal midway through the first half. However, the second half opened with Trevor Giles
Trevor Giles
Trevor Giles is a successful Meath Gaelic Footballer. He is regarded as one of the best players of his generation. He plays club football for Skryne. He came to prominence first when he won an All Ireland minor medal with Meath in 1992. He would go on to win 2 All Ireland Senior medals, 3...
missing an early penalty which would have put six points between the sides. Buoyed by this twist of fate Cork carried the ball downfield from Giles' penalty rebound to score a point and bring their deficit to two points. Two minutes later, Croke Park witnessed one of the greatest individual goals ever scored on All-Ireland football final day, when Cork centre-half-forward, Joe Kavanagh, winning the ball on the Meath forty, went on a solo run, beating three Meath defenders, giving and taking a return pass, before crashing a twenty yard shot past the diving Cormac O'Sullivan into the roof of the Meath net. Now behind for the first time at 1-6 to 1-5, having briefly glimpsed a six point lead only five minutes before, Meath's resolve was put to the test. However, from here on Meath took a firm grip on the game, and with superb performances from Graham Geraghty (who eclipsed Cork full-back Sean Og O'Hailpin in scoring three fine points from play) Trevor Giles, and John McDermott, Meath regrouped to outscore Cork by 0-6 to 0-2 in the final quarter, and win their seventh All-Ireland on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-8.
2001
Meath played the opening match of the 2001 championship against WestmeathWestmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
ending in a last-gasp one point victory for Meath. Meath went on to beat Kildare convincingly in the next round by 1-16 to 0-11, before taking on and beating Dublin by 2-11 to 0-14 in the Leinster final. 2001 being the inaugural year of the revised All-Ireland Qualifier system, however, meant that Meath met Westmeath again in the new All-Ireland Quarter-Finals. This time it was expected that Meath would win, and again Meath had a psychological edge having never lost a Championship match to Westmeath. However, Westmeath showed great tactical awareness, superior fitness, and great eagerness to play fast open football and for much of the game this caused much dismay to the Meath defence which at club level was more prepared for direct football and man-for-man marking. Aided by some poor Meath defending and a somewhat fortuitous goal, Westmeath were on the brink of a three point victory when in the dying moments of injury time Ollie Murphy got the ball in a melee of players at the Canal End goal and from fifteen metres out unleashed a rasping shot into the top right hand corner of the Westmeath net. The strangest thing of all was that Murphy did not look at where he was kicking the ball - he literally shot based on where he assumed there was a vacant position in the goal. Having gotten out of jail, Meath performed somewhat truer to form in the third meeting of these two teams and ran out relatively comfortable four point victors in the replay.
Meath now faced Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
in the All-Ireland semi-final of 2001. Given Kerry's great experience and tradition, and the fact that Meath were in the habit of cutting things a bit fine, it was expected that Kerry would win. Furthermore Kerry's team featured the legendary Maurice Fitzgerald
Maurice Fitzgerald (footballer)
Maurice Fitzgerald is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club St. Mary's and divisional side South Kerry and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county football team from 1988 until 2001...
, certainly one of the greatest footballers of his generation. Kerry were managed by defensive legend Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé is a retired Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played football with his local club An Ghaeltacht and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1987...
and had a number of All-Ireland winners from 2000 available. Three superbly taken first half points from Ollie Murphy - who had given Kerry's Michael McCarthy a torrid time - and a well-taken goal by John McDermott helped Meath to at half-time lead of 1-6 to 0-4. However, what transpired in the second half was a collapse of unimaginable proportions by Kerry, during which Meath out-scored Kerry by 1-8 to 0-1, with the final scoreline of 2-14 to 0-5. Meath were so dominant in the ten minutes after half time that they went on a point scoring spree that meant the game was over with 20 minutes or so remaining, and the match was memorable for the unprecedented sight of Kerry fans leaving in their droves long before the full-time whistle. The Meath men look like All-Ireland winners before the Final had even started.
The result was not due to an unexpected physical approach from Meath - clashes between the Kingdom of Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
and the Royals of Meath tended to be honourable and very clean out of longstanding mutual respect for each others traditions. Meath were simply baffled at Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
's complete lack of focus after half-time and clearly expected a much firmer performance from their opponents. This left many Meath fans wary about the Final with Meath fans and players completely resolute in their belief that nothing had been won. In comparison, Meath's opponents in the final, Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
, had beaten a Derry
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
team that had shown insufficient fitness and eagerness to reach an All-Ireland final.
Meath went into the All-Ireland final as overwhelming favourites. The scores were tied at 0-7 each at half time in what was a careful and cautious match, as Darren Fay held Galway's star full-forward Padraig Joyce scoreless. Joyce was switched to corner forward at half time and Galway quickly built up an early lead in the Second half. Meath centre-half back Nigel Nestor was sent off for a second bookable offence - a foul on Jarlath Fallon - before star Meath forward Ollie Murphy, who was the most effective Meath forward that day, sustained a broken hand after being trod upon. These changes to the balance between the teams gave Galway an edge on the field that they had already been preparing in their own inner resolve. Just as the match seemed to be slipping away from Meath, though, John McDermott
John McDermott (Gaelic footballer)
John McDermott is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success playing inter-county football in the ninety's on the Meath team's managed by Sean Boylan. For Meath he played in the Midfield position. He played club football first for Curraha and...
raised another attack on the Galway defence that resulted in a penalty awarded to Meath. Trevor Giles
Trevor Giles
Trevor Giles is a successful Meath Gaelic Footballer. He is regarded as one of the best players of his generation. He plays club football for Skryne. He came to prominence first when he won an All Ireland minor medal with Meath in 1992. He would go on to win 2 All Ireland Senior medals, 3...
, Meath's captain and free-taker, was allocated the responsibility for this task as part of his team role. His shot, however, drifted agonisingly wide, and with it went Meath's chances of getting back into the game. From there, the outstanding Padraig Joyce continued to bedevil the Meath defence - ecilpsing Mark O'Reilly in doing so - the Meath management all to belatedly sought to rectify the problem by putting Darren Fay back on Joyce, and Galway ran out emphatic victors on a 0-17 to 0-8 scorline.
2002-2005 - Boylan's latter years
The Championship seasons since 2002 have seen the re-emergence of a resurgent Dublin team and an extremely capable LaoisLaois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
team - managed by the same Mick O'Dwyer who had earlier led Kildare - which together have dominated Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
football. At All-Ireland level Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
and Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
have won honours and dominated finals. Meath have not earned any Championship honours since 2001. Furthermore, Meath teams have been generally showing reduced levels of competitiveness each year after exiting from the Leinster Championship. This indicates a general acceptance that the Leinster Championship is seen as the most achievable objective for the side.
In 2005 Sean Boylan announced that he would not be seeking re-appointment as Meath manager. Boylan's 22-year term represents a record in modern GAA. In this spell he managed to lead two entirely different teams to win four All-Ireland titles, while coming very close to winning another two. He introduced an increased tactical awareness to the game. Critics have argued that in sending out highly motivated players, Boylan has increased the physical nature of the game and given rise to the 'Puke Football' tactic being pursued by modern Ulster teams.
2006 - present
Boylan was replaced by Eamon Barry of Dunshaughlin, who had previously contested the position of manager against Boylan on an almost annual basis. His appointment, though, did not result in an improvement in fortunes, despite Barry's experience in managing his Dunshaughlin club to win two consecutive Leinster Senior Club Football ChampionshipLeinster Senior Club Football Championship
The Leinster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of senior football clubs in Leinster. The current holders of the Leinster title are Portlaoise from Laois. Offaly side Gracefield were the first winners of the Leinster senior club...
s. After just one season, Barry was deposed and replaced with Colm Coyle, a three-time All-Ireland winner and former selector under Sean Boylan. Coyle had previously managed the Monaghan county side - winning his very first match against then All-Ireland champions Armagh - and so there was renewed hope in the team.
The 2007 season began with a Croke Park sell-out against old foes and reigning two-time Leinster champions Dublin. Inspired by Graham Geraghty, Mark Ward
Mark Ward
Mark William Ward is a former footballer from Liverpool. He started his career as a youth player with Everton F.C. and then played for Oldham Athletic, West Ham United, Manchester City, Everton, Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, Ayr United, Wigan Athletic, Dundee, Valur and Northwich...
, captain Anthony Moyles
Anthony Moyles (footballer)
Anthony Moyles is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for St Oliver Plunketts ER and the Meath inter-county team. Moyles originally played for local club St. Pauls in the Junior Championship and was on a team successfully earning promotion to the Intermediate division...
and Caoimhin King, Meath snatched an unlikely draw, raising hopes and interest in the county. A narrow defeat in the replay set the foundations for what turned out to be a relatively successful season with strong "back-door" victories setting up a quarter-final meeting with a much-fancied Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
side which Meath won with an excellent display. Meath met Cork in the semi-final while Kerry and Dublin renewed old rivalries in the other, raising the prospects of a number of mouthwatering potential All-Ireland final fixtures. Meath, though, did not become part of them, with a disappointing display against Cork meaning a semi-final would be the culmination of their season. Cork went on to lose heavily to Kerry in the All-Ireland final.
Meath's 2008 season began with a strong win over unfancied Carlow
Carlow GAA
The Carlow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Carlow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Carlow and the Carlow inter-county teams.-Gaelic football:...
before a quarter-final fixture with a resurgent Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
team saw Meath lose an 10-point lead at the interval and fall behind in injury time. While Wexford went on to meet Dublin in the Leinster final, Meath suffered a heavy defeat to Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
in the 1st round of the All-Ireland qualifier series and Colm Coyle
Colm Coyle
Colm Coyle , is a former Gaelic football manager and former player from County Meath in the Republic of Ireland. He was the manager of the Meath senior football team from September 2006 to July 2008.-Playing career:...
resigned as manager.
On November 10, 2008 Eamonn O'Brien
Eamonn O'Brien
Eamonn O'Brien is former manager of Meath and one of Sean Boylan's former selectors. He was born in Walterstown, County Meath, Ireland on September 21, 1960...
was confirmed to be the new Meath boss after the meeting of Meath County Board.
The 2009 season began with a the side facing old rivals Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
which was a very poor performance from both sides, But despite all that Meath lost the match, but had a good run through the qualifiers meeting Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
, Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
, Roscommon
Roscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
and then meeting Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
for the second time in the championship which others expected it to be like last year. But Meath got the best start with a goal from Cian Ward
Cian Ward
Cian Ward is an Irish Gaelic footballer who currently plays for Meath Senior Football Championship team Wolfe Tones and the Meath intercounty team. He is known as one of the greatest free kick takers currently playing. In the 2009 All-Ireland, he was the third highest top scorer after Donegal's...
. But Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
did pefrom well just before full-time two goals from Seannie Buckley and 2nd from sub Jim O'Donovan sealed the game to one point but was all too late for Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
as Meath went on to meet their 1996 All Ireland
All Ireland
All-Ireland is an attributive which emphasises the island of Ireland. It contrasts with expressions such as the South or Northern Ireland which apply only to regions. Many sports are organised on an all-Ireland basis....
finalists Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
. Mayo and Meath met at Croke Park on 9 August in the quarter finals, a game which Meath won by 2-15 to 1-15 in a very close fought game until Meath came good in the second half.They went on to meet Kerry in the All-Ireland semi final on the 30th of August.
This match was played in poor and slippery conditions with both sides making errors. An early penalty awarded for a foul on Colm Cooper, was scored by Kerry captain Darren Sullivan. Kerry pulled away in the next 20 minutes. However Meath fought back bravely to bring the sides close at half time. Jack O'Conner introduced Tommy Walsh after the break who scored 1-2 in quick succession. As Kerry went 8 points up the game was over despite a late rally from Meath who lost by 4 in the end.
The 2010 season began with the side beating Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
despite poor performance before reaching the quarter-final to face Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
in a very rain soaked Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
which was dragged to extra-time but ended up in a replay the week after. Meath won well before sending old rivals Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
for the first time since 2001 to reach the Leinster-Final.
Meath won the Leinster Final in controversial circumstances over Louth
Louth GAA
The Louth County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Louth GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Louth. The county board is also responsible for the Louth inter-county teams....
. Meath were drawn in The All-Ireland Quarter-final to face Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
which was an excellent first-half performance but were later denied as Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
won 2-17 to 1-12.
In September, 2010 speculations begun whether or not Eamonn O'Brien
Eamonn O'Brien
Eamonn O'Brien is former manager of Meath and one of Sean Boylan's former selectors. He was born in Walterstown, County Meath, Ireland on September 21, 1960...
would continue as manager for 2011. On September 7, 2010 O'Brien was surprisingly axed as manager after the clubs board voted him out.
On 10 November 2010 former Monaghan
Monaghan GAA
The Monaghan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Monaghan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Monaghan and the Monaghan inter-county football and hurling teams. Separate county boards are responsible for the...
manager Séamus McEnaney
Séamus McEnaney
Séamus McEnaney is Gaelic football manager and the current manager of the Meath senior football team. He previously managed the Monaghan Senior Gaelic football team from 2004 until 2010. He was appointed as Meath manager in November 2010.-References:...
was confirmed as the new Meath manager. His appointment as manager meant that for the first time a non-native of Meath took charge of the team.
The 2011 season began with the side meeting Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
in a repeat of the 2010 Quarter Final. In a poor game, marred by a high number of wides from both teams, Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
emerged victorious by 0-16 to 0-10 which meant Meath entered the qualifiers. Meath hammered Louth by 9 points in Round 1 of the Qualifiers, 5-08 to 2-08, played at Breffni Park, Cavan. A 1-point victory over Galway in round 2 set-up another mouth-watering tie against Kildare in Round 3, however this was to be the end of the road for Meath in the 2011 championship as Kildare again came out on top, this time by a scoreline of 2-11 to 0-14.
2010 Leinster football final
On July 11, 2010, Meath reached and won the Leinster Final2010 Leinster Senior Football Championship Final
The 2010 Leinster Senior Football Championship Final was the last football match of the 2010 Leinster Senior Football Championship, played between Louth and Meath on 11 July 2010 in Croke Park, Dublin. Louth were appearing in their first Leinster Senior Football Championship Final in 50 years...
against neighbors Louth. Meath won the match but both the way the match ended and the violent reaction of some Louth supporters to this led to controversy.
During the Leinster Final on July 11, 2010, deep into injury time in the 74th minute of the match against Louth, a goal was awarded by the referee
Referee
A referee is the person of authority, in a variety of sports, who is responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and making on the fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport...
after brief consultation with only one of the match umpires although television coverage of the game proved that the ball was carried over the line by Meath player Joe Sherdian. Prior to the goal being awarded Meath had trailed by 1 point and with the referee blowing his whistle shortly afterwards this proved to be the decisive score.
Irate Louth fans stormed the pitch and commenced a process of chasing and physically assaulting the referee, who had to be led away by a Garda
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
escort in scenes broadcast to a live television audience. Other scenes of violence saw bottles being hurled from a stand, one striking a steward who fell to the ground and Meath substitute Mark Ward
Mark Ward
Mark William Ward is a former footballer from Liverpool. He started his career as a youth player with Everton F.C. and then played for Oldham Athletic, West Ham United, Manchester City, Everton, Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, Ayr United, Wigan Athletic, Dundee, Valur and Northwich...
was hit by a Louth fan. The situation led to much media debate in the days that followed, the violence was condemned and there were many calls for the game to be replayed in the national Media (including former Meath players Trevor Giles
Trevor Giles
Trevor Giles is a successful Meath Gaelic Footballer. He is regarded as one of the best players of his generation. He plays club football for Skryne. He came to prominence first when he won an All Ireland minor medal with Meath in 1992. He would go on to win 2 All Ireland Senior medals, 3...
and Bernard Flynn
Bernard Flynn
Bernard Flynn is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. As a teenager he attended secondary school in St Mary's of Drogheda. He enjoyed success play inter-county football in the 1980s and early 1990s on the Meath team's managed by Sean Boylan. For Meath he...
.). GAA President Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney is the current President of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
said the events were a "watershed" and one where the "circumstances were bizarre. I have never seen circumstances like it as long as I have been a member of this Association". He promised life bans for those who assaulted the referee.
The day after the match the GAA released a statement confirming that Sludden admitted he had made an error. The GAA also stated that the rules left it powerless to offer a replay and that this would be decided by Meath, Following a Meath County Board meeting it emerged that in his match report that the referee had originally blown for a penalty for Meath but when the ball ended in the net decided to award the goal. The county board decided not to offer of a replay and that that would be "the end of the matter".
Honours
- All-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
s: 7- 1949 1954 1967 1987 1988 1996 1999
- All-Ireland Junior Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Junior Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Junior Football Championship is a Gaelic Athletic Association competition for junior gaelic football inter-county teams in Ireland. The definition of what constitutes a junior player differs from county to county. In some, the junior team is the second team after the senior team...
s: 4- 1947 1952 1962 1988 2003
- All-Ireland Minor Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Minor Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
s: 3- 1957 1990 and 1992
- All-Ireland Under-21 Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
s: 1- 1993
- All-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
Runners-Up: 9- 1895 1939 1951 1952 1966 1970 1990 1991 2001
- Leinster Senior Football ChampionshipLeinster Senior Football ChampionshipThe GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
s: 21- 1895 1939 1940 1947 1949 1951 1952 1954 1964 1966 1967 1970 1986 1987 1988 1990 1991 1996 1999 2001 2010
- Leinster Junior Football ChampionshipLeinster Junior Football ChampionshipThe Leinster Junior Football Championship is a junior "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council. The competition began in 1906, with Wicklow winning during the inaugural year. The...
s: 16- 1947 1952 1958 1962 1964 1986 1988 1990 1991 1995 1996 1997 1999 2003 2005 2006
- Leinster Minor Football ChampionshipLeinster Minor Football ChampionshipThe Leinster Minor Football Championship is a Gaelic football "knockout" competition played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council. Each county in the province fields a team in the competition. The term "minor" is given to players who are...
s: 10- 1957 1972 1977 1980 1985 1990 1992 1993 2006 2008
- Leinster Under-21 Football ChampionshipLeinster Under-21 Football ChampionshipFor information on the latest U-21 championship see: Leinster U21 Football Championship 2007The Leinster Under-21 Football Championship is the Under 21 "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland...
s: 8- 1985 1989 1990 1991 1993 1996 1997 2001
- National Football LeagueNational Football League (Ireland)The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
: 7- 1933 1946 1951 1975 1988 1990 1994
- O'Byrne CupO'Byrne CupThe O'Byrne Cup is a Gaelic football competition organised by the Leinster GAA. The competition is named after Matt O'Byrne, a former Wicklow GAA club officer. Participants include the twelve county teams and four colleges. The O'Byrne Cup 2011 champions are Kildare, who beat Louth in the final by...
s: 8- 1967 1974 1977 1983 1992 2001 2004 2006**
- Centenary CupCentenary CupThe Centenary Cup was a Gaelic Games competition arranged by the Gaelic Athletic Association to mark the centenary of the GAA in 1984.The hurling competition was won by Cork and the football competition was won by Meath.-Hurling:-Football:...
(One off competition)- 1984**
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
winning teams
Notable managers
- Fr. Packie TullyPatrick TullyFather Patrick Tully was a well known figure in Meath GAA circles, particularly for his training of Meath Gaelic football teams of 1949, 1954 and 1967 to All Ireland Senior titles...
- Sean BoylanSeán BoylanSeán Boylan is a former football manager from Dunboyne, County Meath, Ireland. He retired from his position as manager of the Meath GAA Senior Football team on the evening of 31 August 2005 after twenty-three years in charge...
- Colm CoyleColm CoyleColm Coyle , is a former Gaelic football manager and former player from County Meath in the Republic of Ireland. He was the manager of the Meath senior football team from September 2006 to July 2008.-Playing career:...
- Eamonn BarryEamonn Barry-Career:He played on the Meath football team in the eightes. He had great success as manager of dunshuaghlin a football club in Meath.He became coach of the Meath football team for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2006, as succcessor to the long-time manager Sean Boylan.The team won the...
- Eamonn O'BrienEamonn O'BrienEamonn O'Brien is former manager of Meath and one of Sean Boylan's former selectors. He was born in Walterstown, County Meath, Ireland on September 21, 1960...
- Séamus McEnaneySéamus McEnaneySéamus McEnaney is Gaelic football manager and the current manager of the Meath senior football team. He previously managed the Monaghan Senior Gaelic football team from 2004 until 2010. He was appointed as Meath manager in November 2010.-References:...
Meath Football Squad
- Manager: Séamus McEnaneySéamus McEnaneySéamus McEnaney is Gaelic football manager and the current manager of the Meath senior football team. He previously managed the Monaghan Senior Gaelic football team from 2004 until 2010. He was appointed as Meath manager in November 2010.-References:...
- Selectors: Barney Allen, Cyril Creavin
Squad as per Meath vs Kildare (Leinster Quarter-final 2011)
Former players
- Peter McDermottPeter McDermottPeter 'The Man in the Cap' McDermott was an inter-county Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland who enjoyed much success in the 1940s and 50s. During his playing career he won 2 Senior All Ireland medals as well as 6 Leinster medals...
- Colm O'RourkeColm O'RourkeColm O'Rourke is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland, a columnist with the Sunday Independent and a panellist on The Sunday Game on RTÉ Television....
- Mick LyonsMick Lyons (Gaelic footballer)Mick Lyons is a former Gaelic footballer who played for Summerhill and Meath. He won two All Ireland medals with Meath in 1987 and 1988 and has also won two All Star awards. He won the Meath Senior Football Championship with Summerhill in 1986. He has generally played at the full-back position...
- Trevor GilesTrevor GilesTrevor Giles is a successful Meath Gaelic Footballer. He is regarded as one of the best players of his generation. He plays club football for Skryne. He came to prominence first when he won an All Ireland minor medal with Meath in 1992. He would go on to win 2 All Ireland Senior medals, 3...
- Paddy O'BrienPaddy O'Brien (gaelic footballer)Paddy O'Brien is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success playing inter-county football in the forty's and fifty's on the Meath team. For Meath he played in the Full Back position. He played club football first for Skryne and later for the...
- Martin O'ConnellMartin O'Connell (footballer)Martin O'Connell is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club St. Michael's and was a member of the Meath senior inter-county team from 1984 util 1997...
- Robbie O'Malley
- Gerry McEnteeGerry McEnteeGerry McEntee was the manager of the 2008 Dublin minor football team and is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success playing inter-county football in the Eighties & early Nineties on the Meath teams managed by Sean Boylan, for whom he...
- Brian StaffordBrian StaffordBrian Stafford is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success play inter-county football in the 80's & early 90's on the Meath teams managed by Sean Boylan. For Meath he usually played at Full Forward. He played club football for Kilmainhamwood...
- Ollie MurphyOllie MurphyOllie Murphy is a Meath Footballer. He plays club football for Carnaross. He came to national prominence in 1999 when he was one of Meath's best player's as they won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship that year, scoring the decisive goal in that year's All Ireland final...
- Tommy DowdTommy Dowd (footballer)Tommy Dowd is a retired former Gaelic footballer for the Meath senior inter-county team in Ireland.-Playing career:Dowd enjoyed much success playing inter-county football in the 1990s on the Meath teams managed by Sean Boylan. For Meath he played in the half-forward line or the full-forward line....
- Jack QuinnJack Quinn (Gaelic footballer)Jack Quinn is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success play inter-county football in the sixties on the Meath team. For Meath he usually played Full Back. Sometimes he played at midfield, and often when Meath were chasing games he was moved...
- John McDermottJohn McDermott (Gaelic footballer)John McDermott is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success playing inter-county football in the ninety's on the Meath team's managed by Sean Boylan. For Meath he played in the Midfield position. He played club football first for Curraha and...
- Nigel NestorNigel NestorNigel Nestor is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Blackhall Gaels and was a member of the Meath team which reached the final of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2001, losing to Galway.-References:...
- Paddy O'BrienPaddy O'Brien (gaelic footballer)Paddy O'Brien is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success playing inter-county football in the forty's and fifty's on the Meath team. For Meath he played in the Full Back position. He played club football first for Skryne and later for the...
- Darren FayDarren FayDarren Fay is a former successful Meath Gaelic Footballer. He is regarded the latest in a long line of Great Meath Full Backs, following the likes of Mick Lyons, Jack Quinn, Paddy O'Brien & Tommy "The Boiler" McGuinness and Brendan Murphy. He plays club football for Trim...
- Liam HarnanLiam HarnanLiam Harnan is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success play inter-county football in the 1980s & early 90s on the Meath teams managed by Sean Boylan. For Meath he played Centre Back. He played club football for Moynalvey...
- Pat "Red" CollierPat CollierPat 'Red' Collier played Gaelic football for the Meath senior football team in the 1960's. He won 1 All-Ireland titles with Meath in 1967. He played club football for Stamullen. He first played for Meath in the Right Full Back position but he is best remered as an attacking and determined Right...
- Bernard FlynnBernard FlynnBernard Flynn is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. As a teenager he attended secondary school in St Mary's of Drogheda. He enjoyed success play inter-county football in the 1980s and early 1990s on the Meath team's managed by Sean Boylan. For Meath he...
- Pat ReynoldsPat ReynoldsPat Reynolds is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success playing inter-county football in the sixties on the Meath team. For Meath he usually played as a Half Back. He played club football for Walterstown. During his playing career he has...
- Bertie CunninghamBertie CunninghamBertie Cunningham is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success play inter-county football in the sixties and early seventies on the Meath team. For Meath he usually played at Centre Back. He played club football for Ballivor. He won his...
- Tommy "The Boiler" McGuinnessTommy McGuinnessTommy “The Boiler” McGuinness is a former inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success play inter-county football from around 1929 to the early forty’s on the Meath team. When he initially broke on to the Meath Team he usually played at midfield or...
Hurling
Meath hurlers have twice held half-time leads over traditional hurling counties in Leinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipLeinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
quarter-finals: over Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
by 2-2 to 1-1 in 1936 and Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
by 2-6 to 1-6 in 1949. In 1951 they held Wexford to a draw in the quarter-final but lost the replay and Wexford went on to win the Leinster championship and join the elite. Having beaten Offaly to qualify for their ninth and last Leinster semi-final in 1954, Meath regressed until they won the 1985 Kehoe Cup
Kehoe Cup
The Kehoe Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Leinster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1977 for inter-county and third-level hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The Kehoe Cup is named after Michael Kehoe , former GAA President and Chairman of...
and the 1993 Senior B title.
After they re-entered the senior championship in 1994, their exploits included victories over Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
All-Ireland Senior Hurling champions
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
at the time by 1-12 to 1-11 in a February 1995 National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
match in Athboy
Athboy
Athboy , is a small agricultural town in County Meath in Ireland. It is located on the junction of the N51 and R154 roads. The town is located on the Yellow Ford River, in wooded country near the County Westmeath border.-History:...
and Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
by 1-16 to 0-16 a fortnight later in Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
.
Meath's hurlers currently play in the second-tier Christy Ring Cup
Christy Ring Cup
The Christy Ring Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2005 for middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland....
. They had been playing in the Christy Ring Cup
Christy Ring Cup
The Christy Ring Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2005 for middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland....
since the start of that competition but a bad 2008 cup run combined with a restructuring of hurling completions saw them relegated to the third-tier Nicky Rackard Cup
Nicky Rackard Cup
The Nicky Rackard Cup is a competition for the Tier 3 hurling teams of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The tournament is organised by the [Gaelic Athletic Association]] and is played during the summer months with the final being played in Croke Park, Dublin...
for the first time.
On 11 July 2009, Meath won the final of the Nicky Rackard Cup
Nicky Rackard Cup
The Nicky Rackard Cup is a competition for the Tier 3 hurling teams of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The tournament is organised by the [Gaelic Athletic Association]] and is played during the summer months with the final being played in Croke Park, Dublin...
at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
, beating London
London GAA
The London County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or London GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in London...
2-18 to 1-15, thus promoting them back to the Christy Ring Cup for 2010.
Honours
- All-Ireland Senior B Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior B Hurling ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship was an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association between 1974 and 2004 for the so-called 'weaker' hurling teams in Ireland....
s: 1- 1993
- Kehoe CupKehoe CupThe Kehoe Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Leinster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1977 for inter-county and third-level hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The Kehoe Cup is named after Michael Kehoe , former GAA President and Chairman of...
s: 6- 1993, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2008, 2011
- Nicky Rackard CupNicky Rackard CupThe Nicky Rackard Cup is a competition for the Tier 3 hurling teams of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The tournament is organised by the [Gaelic Athletic Association]] and is played during the summer months with the final being played in Croke Park, Dublin...
s: 1- 2009
- All-Ireland Junior Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Junior Hurling ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship was a hurling competition organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland. The competition was originally contested by the second teams of the strong counties, and the first teams of the weaker counties...
s: 6- 1927, 1948, 1970, 1998, 1999, 2004
- Leinster Junior Hurling ChampionshipLeinster Junior Hurling ChampionshipThe Leinster Junior Hurling Championship is a junior "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in the province of Leinster in Ireland...
s: 10- 1927 1948 1961 1970 1972 1998 1999 2002 2003 2004
- Leinster Minor Hurling ChampionshipLeinster Minor Hurling ChampionshipThe ESB Leinster Minor Hurling Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council...
s: 1- 1929
- All-Ireland Minor B Hurling ChampionshipAll Ireland Minor B Hurling ChampionshipThe GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor B Hurling Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland. Teams representing counties who are not good enough for the All-Ireland Minor Hurling...
s: 2- 2007, 2011
Camogie
Meath won the Nancy Murray Cup in 2008. Ratoath won divisional honours at Féile na nGaelFéile na nGael
Féile na nGael , Irish for "Festival of the Gaels") is an annual tournament comprising the sports of hurling, camogie and handball organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...
in 2008 and 2009. They were finalists in the All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship
All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship
The All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship is the most important competition for under-18 teams in the women’s field sport of camogie. Counties compete for the Síghle Nic an Ultaigh Cup. There are graded competitions at Minor B and Minor C level.-History:...
at Minor C level in 2011.
Notable players include soaring star award winners Louise Donoghue
Louise Donoghue
Louise Donoghue is a camogie player, from the Kiltale club in Meath. She is the winner of a Camogie All Stars Awards#Soaring StarsSoaring Star award in 2009.-External links:* Official Camogie Association Website...
and Jane Dolan
Jane Dolan
Jane Dolan is a camogie player, winner of two Soaring Star Awards in 2010 and 2011. She also plays for DIT. Her injury time point secured the National League Division 3 title in 2011...
. Julian McDonnell refereed the All Ireland senior final of 1933.
Under Camogie’s National Development Plan 2010-2015, “Our Game, Our Passion,” five new camogie clubs are to be established in the county by 2015.
Senior Football Championship
| Club |
Colours |
|---|---|
| Blackhall Gaels Blackhall Gaels GAA Blackhall Gaels is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Parish of Kilcloon. The parish consists of the main townlands of Batterstown, Mulhussey and Kilcloon near the town of Dunboyne, in County Meath. The club plays hurling and football in Meath GAA competitions... |
Yellow and Blue |
| Donaghmore Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Ashbourne in County Meath, Ireland. The club competes in Meath competitions. The team was founded in 1923 under the name Donaghmore but was renamed Donaghmore/Ashbourne in 1996 to reflect the increased number of... |
Green and White |
| Duleek-Bellewstown Duleek/Bellewstown GAA Duleek/Bellewstown is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Duleek, in County Meath, Ireland. The club plays football in Meath GAA competitions. Duleek won the Meath Senior Football Championship once in 1943 and was their only Senior Football Championship wins... |
Green and Yellow |
| Dunshaughlin Dunshaughlin GAA Dunshaughlin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Dunshaughlin, in County Meath, Ireland. The club competes at senior level in the Football championship... |
Black and Yellow |
| Moynalvey | Maroon and White |
| Navan O'Mahonys Navan O'Mahonys GAA Navan O'Mahonys is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Navan in County Meath, Ireland. The club competes in Meath competitions. With 17 Senior Football wins they are the most successful football club in Meath... |
Blue and White |
| Nobber Nobber GAA Nobber GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Nobber, County Meath, Ireland. The club competes in Meath GAA competitions. The club has won the Meath Senior Football Championship once when North Meath GAA won the title in 1950... |
Black and Amber |
| Oldcastle Oldcastle GAA Oldcastle GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Oldcastle, in County Meath, Ireland. The club mainly plays Gaelic Football and competes in Meath GAA competitions... |
Blue and White |
| Rathkenny Rathkenny GAA Rathkenny GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the small village of Rathkenny, in County Meath, Ireland. The club takes part in Meath GAA competitions. The club have won 5 Meath Senior Football Championship titles... |
Black and Red |
| Seneschalstown Seneschalstown GAA Seneschalstown GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association is small rural club from the Beauparc/Kentstown parish which was founded in 1932. The club ground is situated about 6 miles east of Navan and 3 miles south of Slane.... |
White and Blue |
| Simonstown Gaels Simonstown Gaels GAA Simonstown Gaels GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Navan, in County Meath, Ireland. The club mainly plays Gaelic Football and competes in Meath GAA competitions. In 2003 and 2004 the team reached the Meath Senior Football Championship final.-Honours:*Meath Senior... |
Blue |
| Skryne Skryne GFC Skryne GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Skryne, in County Meath, Ireland. The club mainly plays Gaelic Football. It competes in Meath GAA competitions. Skryne has the second most Meath Senior Football Championship titles after Navan O Mahony's. Every All-Ireland... |
Blue and White |
| St Patricks St Patricks GAA St. Patricks is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Stamullen, in County Meath, Ireland. The club competes at senior level in both hurling and football in Meath GAA competitions. The club was founded in January 1950 by the amalgamation Stamullen and Julianstown GAA clubs... |
White and Green |
| St. Peter's, Dunboyne St Peters Dunboyne GAA St. Peters, Dunboyne is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Dunboyne, in County Meath, Ireland. The club competes at senior level in football in Meath GAA competitions. The club was founded in 1902 by primary school teacher, Bob O'Keefe... |
Yellow and Black |
| Summerhill Summerhill GFC Summerhill G.F.C. is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Summerhill in County Meath, Ireland. The club competes in Meath competitions. The team was first founded in 1905 but later disbanded... |
Blue and Yellow |
| Walterstown Walterstown GFC Walterstown GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Navan, in County Meath, Ireland. The club mainly plays Gaelic Football. It competes in Meath GAA competitions. The club has won the Meath Senior Football Championship 5 times.-History:... |
Black |
| Wolfe Tones Wolfe Tones GAA Wolfe Tones GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club which comprises an amalgamation of the parishes of Oristown and Kilberry which are situated roughly halfway between the town of Navan and the town of Kells, in County Meath, Ireland. The club mainly plays football but also have a strong hurling... |
Yellow and Purple |
Intermediate Football Championship
| Club |
Colours |
|---|---|
| Ballinabrackey | Green and White |
| Ballinlough | Black and Red |
| Ballivor | Red and White |
| Carnaross | Red and Yellow |
| Castletown | Purple and White |
| Clann na nGael Clann na nGael GAA (Meath) Clann na nGael is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Athboy, in County Meath, Ireland. The club was founded in 2002, combining the two former GAA teams of O'Growney Club Athboy , and An Ghaeltacht Rath Cairn . The club fields both Gaelic football and hurling teams... |
Green and Yellow |
| Dunderry | Black and White |
| Gaeil Colmcille | Green, Red & White |
| Longwood | White and Black |
| Na Fianna | Yellow and Black |
| St Colmcilles | Blue |
| St Michaels | Black and Red |
| St Ultans | Green and Black |
| Syddan | Green and Yellow |
| Trim Trim GAA Trim GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Trim, in County Meath, Ireland. The club fields both Gaelic football and hurling teams. It competes in Meath GAA competitions... |
Red and White |
Junior Football Championship
| Club |
Colours |
|---|---|
| Bective | Green and White |
| Boardsmill | Blue and White |
| Cortown | Yellow and White |
| Clonard | Purple and White |
| Curraha | Green and Yellow |
| Drumbaragh | Green, White & Red |
| Drumconrath | Red and White |
| Drumree | Green and White |
| Dunsany | Red and White |
| Kilbride | Green, Red & White |
| Kilmainham | Black and Red |
| Kilmainhamwood | Maroon and White |
| Meath Hill | Blue and White |
| Moylagh | Green and White |
| Moynalty | Red and White |
| Ratoath | Blue and Yellow |
| Slane | Blue and White |
| St. Brigids | Red and White |
| St. Mary's Donore | Green and Red |
| St. Pauls | Red |
| St. Vincents | Maroon and White |
Ladies' Gaelic football
Meath women have dominated the ladies' section of the All-Ireland Kick Fada Championship, with wins for Mary Sheridan in 2003, 2008 and 2010; Gráinne Nulty in 2004; Irene Munnelly in 2005 and 2007; and Gillian Bennett in 2006.Honours
- All-Ireland Junior Ladies' Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Junior Ladies' Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Junior Ladies' Football Championship is a "knockout" competition in the game of Ladies' Gaelic football played by women in Ireland...
s: 1- 1994
- All-Ireland Under-16 Ladies' Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Under-16 Ladies' Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Under-16 Ladies' Football Championship is a "knockout" competition in the game of Ladies' Gaelic football played by women in Ireland. The series of games are organised by Ladies' Gaelic Football Association ) and are played during the summer months...
s: 3- 2000, 2001, 2009
- All-Ireland Under-14 Ladies' Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Under-14 Ladies' Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Under-14 Ladies' Football Championship is a "knockout" competition in the game of Ladies' Gaelic football played by women in Ireland. The series of games are organised by Ladies' Gaelic Football Association ) and are played during the summer months. All players have to be under 14...
s: 1- 1996
See also
- Meath Senior Club Football ChampionshipMeath Senior Club Football ChampionshipFor hurling equivalent see:Meath Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Meath Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the top Gaelic football clubs in Meath, Ireland...
- Meath Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipMeath Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipFor football equivalent see:Meath Senior Club Football Championship.The Meath Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association hurling club competition between the top Meath Clubs...