When the format for the various All-Ireland hurling championships was revealed at the start of the year, there were many eyebrows raised as Meath, one of the sides considered as genuine contenders for the Christy Ring Cup, were demoted to the third competition, the Nicky Rackard Cup.

Sighs of disbelief resounded around the hurling fraternity in the county and to add insult to injury, the Royals were also placed in division three of the hurling league. Questions were raised as to why this situation was occurring and the answer was simple. Their form in the 2008 Christy Ring Cup simply wasn't good enough. Hopes were high of doing well in the competition, but exiting at the group stages was nothing short of a disaster. The work had been done off the pitch, but as often happens results just didn't go their way.
Last year's management team was replaced by former hurling board chairman TJ Reilly and former county players Brendan Fitzsimons and Anthony Kirby. Their first task was to get the current squad interested in playing in the third tier competition.
Let's be realistic, Meath hurlers are a step above this and as stated earlier are realistic contenders for the Christy Ring Cup on an annual basis. For players with the calibre of Stephen Clynch, Paul Fagan, Mickey Cole, Niall Hackett and Ger O'Neill to name just a few to be plying their trade at this level was a huge blow to them. From the very outset, Meath were installed as massive favourites to take the title, but the players had to want it, while complacency was also another factor that could go against them.
Promotion in the league was also imperative and the chance get the year off to a good start was there to take. An unbeaten run through the campaign resulted in Meath comfortably topping the division. Wins over Mayo, Armagh, Derry and Kildare plus a draw with Wicklow ensured a place in the final where they would meet the Lilywhites.
Kildare, who played in the Christy Ring Cup this year, knew that they would have their work cut out against the Royals, who won their corresponding group fixture by a point in April.
The final was fixed for May 2nd with the unusually setting of Breffni Park set to host the decider. Two years previously, the sides had met at the semi final stage of the Christy Ring Cup with Kildare just edging out their neighbours at the penultimate stage of the competition.
Once again a close math was expected and that was certainly the case as the lead swayed on many occasions. It was not be Meath's day as a number of decision went against them, most notably Peter Durnin's disallowed goal at the end of the match and the dismissal of Nicky Horan seven minutes from the end of time.
A slow start could also be contributed to the reasons for the defeat, but to be fair both sides produced a tough hard game of hurling that really could have went either way, although once again it was to be Kildare's day on a scoreline of 2-18 to 1-18.
The disappointment of losing the league final had to be quickly forgotten as the commencement of the championship soon followed. Defending champions Sligo were the first opponents for the Royals and the latter laid down a marker for the remainder of the campaign when they recorded a comfortable 1-23 to 0-10 victory.
Just a week later and neighbours Louth visited Pairc Tailteann and the gulf between the sides was evident from early on as the home side ran out winners by a whopping nineteen points.
If ever there was a case for a side to be placed in a competition not strong enough for them than this was it. Both Sligo and Louth had competed in the 2008 final in Croke Park the previous year. A monumental achievement for both sides, but there chances of repeating that never looked like materialising.
The aim of restructuring the hurling championship and introducing a fourth tier in the guise of the Lory Meagher Cup was to promote hurling amongst the weaker counties. For the likes of Louth and Sligo, this was not a success and indeed for Meath, who would have learned very little from the campaign. However, they still had a job to do and at the outset of the championship, Armagh and London would have been regarded as the biggest threats to the Royals' quest for glory.
And the Orchard County stood in the way of a place in the final when the sides were drawn at the penultimate stage. The Ulster side are most of the most improved counties in hurling over the last few years and when they met in the league, earlier in the year, only three points separated the sides.
With just 21 minutes on the clock, it looked as if Meath would cruise to victory when they lead by 0-9 to 0-3 and indeed they held an eight point lead at the break. Despite having to play into a stiff breeze in the second half, it looked as if Meath would comfortably see out the match, but Armagh battled back bravely.
Their cause was helped by the dismissal of the influential Stephen Clynch, who was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident, which surprised many at Pairc Tailteann. The Meath defence was called on to defend stoutly and the likes of Martin Horan, Paul Fagan, Michael Foley and James Boyle really stood out in the final few minutes as Armagh pressed for the win.
Nonetheless, aided by an astounding six points from play by the impressive Joey Keena, the home side held on for a merited 0-21 to 1-14 victory.
One carrot for the players at the start of the year was to get the chance to play at Croke Park, one of whom had not been given the opportunity before. Consequently, for one of the counties most loyal servants ever, Stephen Clynch, he would not get the opportunity to line out with his team mates on this occasion following his red card. Not only was it a huge personal blow to the Kilmessan player, but it was a huge setback for the management team as Clynch has been the mainstay of the side for many seasons now.
As expected, London provided the opposition in the final and all roads led to Croke Park as Meath looked to lift the title and make a return to the second tier.
This was meant to be the Leinster side's biggest test to date, but in fact they were never really troubled in a game that they always dominated. Apart from short spells in both halves, the exiles looked out of their depth against a well drilled and fitter Meath side.
TJ Reilly's charges hit the back of the net on two occasions and it was fitting that the experienced Mick Cole and Nicky Horan got the goals. Both players were part of the last Meath hurling team to line out in Croke Park when they Royals lost to Offaly in the Leinster championship. The impressive form of David Kirby at half back was another catalyst for this victory, a natural forward; the Na Fianna clubman did not let the side down with an outstanding display, while Neil Hackett played a captain's role as he was the county's top scorer throughout the year.
Meath led by 2-10 to 0-9 at half time and although London did their best to close the gap, the scoreline of 2-18 to 1-15 may have flattered them slightly. There was the odd tear and scenes of jubilation at the final whistle as the Royals achieved their goal. The entire panel had worked extremely hard throughout the year to obtain this success and this was their due reward.
The sight of seeing Meath hurling captain Neil Hackett lifting a Cup on the steps of the Hogan Stand will live long in the memories of all hurling gaels. The management team may have taken some criticism early on in the year, but the records speak for themselves as they led the county to All-Ireland success.
Next year will be a huge year for the Meath hurlers. Consolidation in the Christy Ring Cup will be the first priority, while quietly they will know that they could go very far in the second tier championship. Tweet

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