Meath had plenty of battles with the 'Rossies' over the years but none as big as the All Ireland SFC semi final clash of 1991.

Earlier in the summer The Royals came back from the dead several times to put away the Dubs in that epic four game encounter. Sean Boylan's men followed up with wins over Wicklow (after a replay) Offaly and Laois in the Leinster final.

After eight games Meath reached in the All Ireland semi final. Roscommon claimed the Connacht title after narrowly beating Mayo in a replay. Meath were favourites but Roscommon managed by Martin McDermott didn't read the script. The Connacht champions took the lead through the outstanding Derek Duggan, who finished with 1-8. Mickey McQuillan made a brilliant save at the feet of Paul Earley as the Connacht champions laid siege to the Meath goal. Brian Stafford kicked Meath's opening score but Roscommon despite kicking numerous wides led 0-5 to 0-1 after 15 minutes.

But typical of this Meath team they battled back and points from Tommy Dowd (2), Martin O'Connell and David Beggy narrowed the gap to one. Meath were however stunned with an outstanding goal on the stroke of half time. Duggan side stepped Terry Ferguson and from 15 yards out unleashed a bullet of a drop kick to the back of the Meath net. But the Leinster champions responded again with a very important point from Gillic to leave the half time score Roscommon 1-7 Meath 0-7.

Roscommon were more than holding their own. After 15 minutes of the second half they led 1-10 to 0-8. Des Newton and Enon Gavin were keeping a very tight rein on Flynn and O'Rourke but the Rossies defence could not handle Stafford and Dowd. The Dunderry man had the game of his life while the Kilmainhamwood sharpshooter kept the score board ticking. Stafford hit three points in a row to narrow the gap to one with three minutes remaining. As the game approached injury time he sent over the equaliser and from the kick out pointed to give Meath the lead. The 'Wood' star added another with the last kick of the ball to seal another famous come back victory for 'Boylans Babes'.

Final score Meath 0-15 Roscommon 1-11

Meath: Michael McQuillan; Brendan Reilly, Mick Lyons, Terry Ferguson; Kevin Foley, Liam Harnan, Martin O'Connell (0-1); Liam Hayes, PJ Gillic (0-1); David Beggy (0-1), Tommy Dowd (0-2), Colm Coyle; Colm O'Rourke, Brian Stafford (0-9), Bernard Flynn (0-1). Sub: Gerry McEntee for Ferguson.

Roscommon: Gay Sheeran; Des Newton, Pat Doorey, Enon Gavin; Joey Connaughton, Paul Hickey, Mattie Reilly; Seamus Killoran, John Newton; Eamonn McManus Junior (0-3), Tony McManus, Tommy Grehan; Vinnie Glennon, Paul Earley, Derek Duggan (1-8). Sub: M Donlon for V Glennon.

Referee: Damien Campbell (Fermanagh). 

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