Meath and Westmeath met in the 2004 O'Byrne Cup final. The season started with plenty of change for both counties. Here's how Meath earned their 7th title.

The first outing of the year was a trip to Dromard and an O'Byrne Cup clash with Longford. While the team could be described as experimental it still included the bulk of the previous year's panel. David Gallagher was between the posts, Anthony Moyles was tried at full back while Stephen McGabhann, Brian Farrell and Joe Sheridan were the newcomers. Daithi Regan and Niall McKeigue were injured, Charles McCarthy was abroad, Graham Geraghty was suspended and neither Trevor Giles nor Darren Fay were available. 

Also taking up their positions for the first time were selectors David Beggy and Declan Mullen. They were Sean Boylan's surprise choices as successors to Eamonn O'Brien and Colm Brady. Beggy a key figure in Meath All Ireland success of 1987 and 1988 had guided St Vincents to Junior B Championship success in 2003 but Mullen, a former Oldcastle and County Junior star, had a much lower profile since injury had cut short a promising playing career.

Longford had beaten Leinster champions Laois in the first round but they were no match for Meath who ran out comfortable winners on a 0-13 to 0-6 scoreline. Adrian Kenny scored 0-3 from play while Joe Sheridan had a similar total from frees. Brian Farrell and substitute Brian Dillon each accounted for two points and the remaining scores came from Ray Magee, Niall Kelly and Evan Kelly.

Cormac Sullivan announced his retirement.. the former All Star had given outstanding service to the county team and his departure certainly reduced Sean Boylan's options for the year.

Pairc Tailteann was the venue for the semi final clash with Offaly with the home team again showing significant promise in recording a five point win over their neighbours 2-9 to 0-10. The goals came from Shane McKeigue and Joe Sheridan. Darren Fay was at centre field alongside Nigel Crawford and Mark Ward was introduced as a second half substitute.

And so to the final and a trip to Mullingar for another local derby against Westmeath. The home team were at the centre of enormous hype largely on account of the arrival of Paidi O'Se as manager and Cusack Park was enveloped in a championship atmosphere. A record crowd of almost 15,000 turned up and the throw in had to be delayed because of congestion at the turnstiles. All this on the 25th of January!

Meath effectively won the game in the opening twenty minutes when they succeeded in breaching the opposing defence for two goals. Westmeath had opened brightly with two points from newcomer Paul Martin. A Niall Kelly goal attempt was blocked in the 11th minute but Shane McKeigue was on hand to bury the ball to the net.

Meath missed a few chances before Niall Kelly scored a cracking goal to put the visitors firmly in the driving seat leading 2-2 to 0-3.

Westmeath managed to reduce the deficit to three points by half time, 0-5 to 2-2, and within minutes of the restart it was down to the minimum…the atmosphere was electric. With less possession Meath kept their opponents at bay and as the game drew to a close Westmeath's play became increasingly ragged. They missed several decent chances and in the end it was Meath's greater know how that decided the issue. The final score was 2-6 to 0-11.

It was Meath's 7th O'Byrne Cup success overall and the 4th under Sean Boylan. Ray Magee had the well deserved honour of being captain.

Meath: David Gallagher, Mark O'Reilly, Anthony Moyles, Donal Curtis, Seamus Kenny, Tommy O'Connor, Hank Traynor, Nigel Crawford, Darren Fay, Ray Magee 0-2, Shane McKeigue 1-1, Adrain kenny 0-1, Brain Farrell, Niall Kelly 1-0, Joe Sheridan 0-2. Subs: Niall McKeigue, Paddy Reynolds, Evan Kelly and John Cullinane.

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