Meath has a very proud history of being involved in GAA at International level, but what transpired in late October and early November of this year may well prove fatal to the hybrid game and the shameful scenes and antics that ensued during the IRS in 2006 were especially hard to take in the Royal County. By Brendan Boylan. It should not be forgotten that Meath were in fact the first Gaelic Football team to go to Australia when in 1968 Peter Darby led the outgoing All-Ireland champions Down Under. Then, years later, it was a motion from the St Colmcille's club that led to the first formalised series between Ireland and Australia in 1984. From the time of its inception Meath players have represented the nation with distinction with the likes of Robbie O'Malley, Mick Lyons, Liam Hayes, Colm O'Rourke and Bernard Flynn prominent back in those days. After a while though, the fixtures were abandoned because they became more rolling melees than games of football. Eight years later however, the commendable decision was made to revive the series and this time there was the added bonus of an U-17 series which allowed the best young players in both codes represent their country. Hardly surprisingly, Meathmen were again there in large numbers on the resumption of the jousts. Walterstown's Christy Reynolds became the first Meath U-17 'cap' while Colm O'Rourke managed, John McDermott captained and Cormac Sullivan, Darren Fay, Trevor Giles and Graham Geraghty were part of the sides that won back to back series in 1998 and 1999, the latter being the first time a team won home and away. Sadly, mention of Geraghty brings the story to the first signs of trouble from the time the contests were revived. He missed the first Test in '99 after being involved in an incident with Damien Cupido in a warm up game. Many believe the whole thing was blown out of all proportion by people who should have known better but unfortunately negative sensationalism seems to have dogged the International game. However, even when the Australians held the upper hand the green and gold still flew with great pride. Geraghty's class as a footballer was vindicated subsequently on several occasions, often under extreme intimidation, while Fay, Giles and Sullivan also had distinguished International careers, with the latter being named Player of the Series on one occasion. At junior level a host of Meath players took part in the U17 series, namely Brian McCormack, Tommy O'Connor, Joe Sheridan, David Murtagh, Barry Regan, Dean Barrett, Kevin Reilly and Shane O'Rourke. Despite a landslide Irish win in 2004, incidents in the years either side of it meant created doubt over the viability of the series. In 2003, Declan Browne was seriously injured in a warm up fixture while the scenes last year were an absolute disgrace. After seeing the likes of Philip Jordan, Mattie Forde and Anthony Lynch, among others, taken out, it was touch and go whether the clashes (and there's no pun intended) would go ahead at all in 2006. It would have been a source of great pride and joy to the people of Meath that they did get the nod once it became known that Sean Boylan would manage the side. To represent ones country is the greatest honour in sport and nobody deserved that more than Sean. And his appointment also signalled an International recall for Geraghty while Anthony Moyles and Kevin Reilly also made the final cut and Boylan also called on many of his former Meath backroom team, Frank Foley, Eoin Clarke, Martin Regan, Eoghan Lynch, Dorothy McGoldrick and Pat Kelly to complete a strong Meath line up. It was always going to be the case that no stone would be left unturned in the preparation of the side. In another smart marketing move, the first Test in 2006 was staged in Galway and while basic things about the Irish game weren't as they might have been, the boys in green escaped with a typically Boylan style 48-40 win thanks to a Steven McDonnell over (three points) and a Joe Bergin goal (six) in the final moments. Perhaps it was ironic that it was Graham Geraghty who kicked the first score in the first Test to played under lights because it turned out to be the least reason the feisty forward was in the news regarding IRS 2006. Two of the most eyebrow-raising things to emerge after the first game were (a) the amount of people complaining about the lack of physicality in the game and (b) that the tourists obviously still had it in for Geraghty after all these years. He was sin binned and later cited for something which in the overall context of things seemed very trivial and despite being cleared by an independent tribunal the circus which surrounded it was always going to pre-empt trouble second time round. Kevin Reilly was also sin binned when it appeared he was more sinned against than sinned which would lead one to wonder were certain players being specifically targeted. Now, an Australian backlash was always likely but instead of trying to keep a lid on the simmering tensions. Australia's Linsey Giblee came out before the second test threatening that Geraghty 'would get what was coming to him' a statement that was even criticised by Aussie manager Kevin Sheedy. Though from an early stagein the second test it became clear that there was trouble ahead as captain Kieran McGeeney pointed out that several of his team mates were being identified for special treatment. While the home side weren't exactly blameless for some of what transpired, it was obvious that certain Irish players were being singled out to be taken out. Tadhg Kennelly, Colm Begley and Shane Ryan, among others, shipped some awful hits and while an Australian goal being permitted to stand while one of the melees was in progress may have signalled what way things were going to go for the home team, there was one incident which not only spoiled the remainder of the game for most people but could also have spelt the end of the International game. Seeing the effects of Danyle Pearce's tackle on Graham Geraghty in the flesh was hard enough to stomach but the photos which appeared the following day were horrifying. Football was put firmly in perspective as thoughts turned to Graham, his family and just being thankful that he avoided potentially crippling injury. It was hardly surprising given all that had gone on that the Irish focus was completely lost and that the tourists steamrolled their way to retaining the Cormac McAnallen Cup but what can only be described as the thuggish manner in which they achieved it may well kill the hybrid game. Many people who know Sean Boylan a long time, including myself, have never seen the man in such an angry humour as he was in the immediate aftermath of events in Croke Park but that was understandable given the way the safety of his players was compromised. He has stated that he would not want to be involved in similar circumstances again while GAA President Nickey Brennan also seems to be on for ending the affair. That would be a great pity though because many players want see it continue, playing for their country means a lot to them, while it must be said that Cormac McAnallen's memory deserves to be preserved and if a thuggish element were to end this way of doing so it would be a great pity. Tweet

Most Read Stories