This day 17 years ago Meath overcame Westmeath in the Leinster senior football championship quarter final replay in Portlaoise.

The Royals were very lucky to survive the first day at Croke Park. Westmeath were on course for their first ever championship win over their neighbours but Dessie Dolan, who had been outstanding on the day, missed a close in free in the dying seconds and the Royals survived on a scoreline of 2-13 apiece.

O’Moore Park provided the setting for the replay six days later on Saturday June 7th 2003.

Meath led at half time 0-6 to 0-3 but Westmeath came more into the game after the break and there was still only three points separating the teams with 15 minutes to go. The men in Maroon were awarded a penalty, Dessie Dolan effort was cleared, Charles McCarthy gained possession and delivered the ball in behind the Westmeath defence, David Crimmins bravely won the race and the ball rolled into the net. Game over. Final score Meath 1-11 Westmeath 0-5

The winners had terrific performances from Daithi Regan who finished the game with six points, team captain Paddy Reynolds, John Cullinane, Cormac Murphy, McCarthy, Trevor Giles and Graham Geraghty.

Meath scorers: Daithi Regan 0-6, David Crimmins 1-0, Graham Geraghty 0-2, Trevor Giles, John Cullinane and Evan Kelly 0-1 each.

Meath: Cormac Sullivan, Niall McKeigue, Anthony Moyles, Cormac Murphy, Paddy Reynolds, Hank Traynor, Tomas O’Connor, Charles McCarthy, John Cullinane, Evan Kelly, Trevor Giles, Shane McKeigue, Daithi Regan, Graham Geraghty, David Crimmins. Subs: Nigel Nestor, Richie Kealy, Paul Shankey, Nigel Crawford.

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