Alive or dead balls – it doesn’t matter once they go where you want them

MEATH… 0-19

KILDARE… 1-08

A question which has gone unanswered for 32 years can now be checked off the list. Would what I like to refer to as ‘The Mudbath Ulster Final’ of 1993 between Derry and Donegal be allowed go ahead in this day and age?

Now, the following is not in the slightest a dig at the great people in Donaghmore/Asbourne – they did trojan work before and indeed during the encounter to ensure it carried on – but conditions in Kilegland for the Leinster U-20 FC semi final were the worst encountered since the climatic Clones Cyclone – as distinct from the mouthy little upstart in the boxing gloves.

Which makes it all the more to the credit of two fine teams that they managed to produce a game of such enduring entertainment in swamp like conditions.

Dunboyne’s John Harkin and Jamie Murphy of St Pat’s eventually got Meath on the board around the 16 minute mark. By then, Kildare had already clocked up 1-02 with Jay O’Brien netting for the Lilywhites.

However, once Meath did settle into their stride, like all male teams representing the county since the rules changed, their efficiency at two-point shooting allowed Rian Stafford and Jamie Murphy build a 0-13 to 1-05 lead for the defending champions as they scrambled for the sanctuary of the dressing rooms.

Regardless of rules changes or anything else, on such a vile night, to kick 0-13 in 30 minutes was an achievement in itself. Yes, 12 of those points were from converted two-point frees, but it doesn’t matter a jot if they’re alive balls or dead balls as long as they go where you need them to.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the home side were unable to maintain levels of production like the first half, but the dynamic duo up top and Liam Jennings did enough to see them swim to the safety of the finish line with eight to spare.

SCORERS – R. Stafford (0-8), J. Murphy (0-7), J. Harkin (0-2), B. Corkery and L. Jennings (0-1 each).

MEATH – M. Kealy; S. Jordan, R. Early, C. O’Hare; T. Martyn, F. Hartigan, F. White; E. Armstrong, M. McIvor; R. Stafford, J. Harkin, Z. McGovern; B. Corkery, J. Murphy, L. Jennings.

SUBS – J. Gormley for McGovern, P. Crawley for Corkery.

Referee – Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).