With the Covid 19 Lockdown extended for another three weeks and with no sign of the GAA calendar resuming we, with the assistance of Royal County Meath GAA Yearbook and the Hoganstand.com archives, will revisit some memorable moments on the Meath club and county scene over the past 20 years.

Meath with a mixture of youth and experience claimed their 6th All Ireland Junior Hurling championship title when defeating Down in Clones on August 14th 2004. This was the last year of the competition with the introduction of the Nicky Rackard Cup the following year.

Both of Meath's Leinster games were played in Pairc Tailteann. Kildare were beaten in the semi final 4-19 to 1-7. David Kirby, just out of minor, and Paul Tobin scored 2-4 each in that win while Longford were seen off 4-14 to 2-7 in the Leinster decider.

Robbie Flanagan, from Kells, who strangely did not score in any of the other games grabbed the headlines in the defeat of the Midlanders, the corner forward helping himself to three goals and a point, all in the first half.

Mayo, who had won out in 2003, provided the semi final opposition and a 2-15 to 3-3 win was recorded, the sides were level with ten minutes remaining. David Kirby 1-4 and Tobin 1-6 took the scoring honours in Hyde Park Roscommon.

Down, seeking their first national title in the grade for 40 years, provided the final day opposition.

Again Paul Tobin was Meath's top scorer, this time contributing a goal and four points. The goal arrived in the 22nd minute with the number 14 flicking a centre from Mark Scanlon to the net. Meath trailed at the break, 1-4 to 1-3, but a spirited second half display, holding Down to just two points, saw the Royals claim victory on a 1-10 to 1-6 scoreline.

Down had the better of the third quarter and they were on level terms with six minutes to. But then Meath moved up a gear, sending over the four points that separated the teams at the end with Tobin (2), Stephen Moran and David Geraghty the scorers.

"They showed a never say die attitude and it came good for them in the end. They finished the stronger, I'm delighted for those lads, they're a nice bunch and deserved something" said manager Martin Curran. The Kilmessan clubman had Dessie Ferguson, Sean Colgan, Liam Kerrane and Noel Keating as his selectors.

Paul Donnelly, who was on board for Meath's 1993 All Ireland Senior B win, rolled back the years and starred in midfield as Meath claimed their 6th title at this level. The Kilmessan man was not the only 'golden oldie' as manager Curran and his assistants recruited the services of two former St. Vincents (Dublin) clubmen, full back Eamonn Clancy and full forward Paul Tobin.

Trevor Donohue of Navan O'Mahonys, who was the goalkeeper for the 1998 victory over Monaghan was back between the posts and Cork native Maurice O'Shaughnessy and Mark Scanlon, originally from Clare, gave the side a cosmopolitan look.

The captain of the team, David Troy from Drumree is a son of Tommy Troy, who was right full back on the 1970 winning team.

The Meath squad was: Trevor Donohoe (Navan O'Mahonys), Seamus Duignan (Navan O'Mahonys), Eamonn Clancy (Clann Na nGael), Brendan Flynn (Na Fianna), Chris Doyle (Drumree), David Troy (Drumree), JP Ryan (St. Patricks), Paul Donnelly (Kilmessan), David Geraghty (Clann Na nGael), Mark Scanlon (St. Patricks), Joe Melia (Moylagh), Stephen Moran (Dunboyne), David Kirby (Na Fianna), Paul Tobin (St. Patricks), Robbie Flanagan (Gaeil Colmcille). Subs: Barry Higgins (Clann Na nGael),  David Donoghue (Kiltale), Maurice O'Shaughnessy (Kilmessan), Fergus Fagan (Na Fianna), Barry Doherty (Clann Na nGael), Paul Kirwan (Ratoath), Liam Newman (Gaeil Colmcille), Colm Doherty (Donaghmore Ashbourne), Charlie Usher (Gaeil Colmcille), Donal Kirwan (Ratoath), Ronan Curley (Drumree)

 

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