The day Meath beat Mayo in Duleek jerseys
March 28, 2020
National Football League champions 1975. Front l-r Phil Smith, Ken Rennicks, Eamon O'Brien, PJ O'Halloran Ronan Giles, Paddy Reynolds, Paddy Traynor. Back l-r: Brendan Murray, Mickey Collins, Cormac Rowe, Mattie Kerrigan, Ollie O'Brien, Mick Ryan, Jack Quinn, Joe Cassells.
Hard to believe that is 45 years ago. 1975 was the year that Meath caused a surprise by winning the National Football League title.
Meath defeated Antrim and Longford in the opening two rounds. Round 3 against Cavan was cancelled due to the sudden death of Erskine Childers President of Ireland. When the game was eventually played Meath won 2-7 to 2-4.
A loss to Down but a big win over Longford qualified the Royals for the quarter final. Kerry now with new manager Mick O’Dwyer in charge were beaten 0-11 to 0-6.
The late Colm Cromwell, then County Board Chairman recalls.
It was a month to the semi final versus Mayo. Meath had to wear “Leinster jerseys against Kerry, likewise against Mayo. In fact we wore Duleek’s Green and White and how lucky it proved. Looking back one wonders why we didn’t buy a new Green and White set or why O’Neills didn’t sponsor them but of course there was no Celtic Tiger in the 70’s and the County Board had a large overdraft.
A league final against All Ireland champions Dublin would be great and just what the doctor (and the Bank manager) ordered.
A Ronan Giles led Meath won the decider 0-16 to 1-9.
Meath: Ronan Giles, Mickey Collins, Jack Quinn, Brendan Murray, Phil Smyth, Pat Reynolds, PJ O’Halloran, Joe Cassells, Mick Ryan, Eamonn O’Brien, Ken Rennicks, Pat Tranor, Cormac Rowe, Matt Kerrigan, Ollie O’Brien. Subs: Frank Carberry, PJ Gannon, Martin Coyne, Gerry Dempsey, Noel Byrne, Mick Fay, Mick Conroy, Brendan Beakey, Jimmy Burke, Padraig Gray, Tom Carpenter, Gerry McEntee
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