With three Meath clubs exiting Leinster Club Championship action yesterday (Saturday) I have no problem admitting spirits in this seat are extremely deflated. Now read on…
There has been plenty of talk this year – deservedly so too – about Meath football being on the rise. But on an evening such as yesterday, it can be hard to quantify that with the pathetic record of teams representing the county at provincial level for more than three decades with perhaps a handful of exceptions at most.
However, adding a modicum of balance to a potentially lopsided scales were highly successful seasons for several of the county’s teams with the U-20 men, Senior men, Senior Ladies and their Minor counterparts all contesting provincial finals while of course the lads made the last four in the race for Sam.
All of which meant that not only was there hope and enjoyment restored to players, mentors fans and everybody else in between, the outer world had, once again, to afford us the respect Meath teams should always be in receipt of. Which manifested as five of the lads being nominated for All Stars and Sean Rafferty becoming our first male player to actually garner a gong since Stephen Bray in 2007.
Now, I’m being wholly honest in saying that the Meath teams being knocked out of provincial competition is always a right kick in the guts for yours truly as it adds extra weeks to the winter without having matches to while the time away until the O’Byrne Cup makes its glorious return on January 3rd.
Mind you, while that very fact was ruminating on the switchboard between my shoulders, the realisation dawned that the Lidl Ladies Football All Stars were also being presented that same evening. Which was in a way a timely reminder of the splendid season enjoyed by our lady footballers. In a manner that was somewhat under the radar.
Remember, the fairer sex in green and gold haven’t usurped the two shades of blue since doing so in the National League of 2024 at Pairc Tailteann. Yet on the occasion of their clash in the Leinster SFC Final there was a sense that the chasm was narrowing. As those challenging the holders built up a four point lead early on and then a spectacular strike from Niamh Gallogly half way through the second half appeared to leave the highly improbable looking like a live possibility.
Until Dublin’s ability to run in the likes of Sinead Goldrick, Lauren Magee and Carla Rowe in off the bench gave them a margin of victory which flattered them in the extreme.
Indeed, so encouraging was that Meath effort that it’s actually quite difficult to fathom how those who weren’t that far behind their greatest rivals in Croke Park were allowed go into a quarter final against Kerry and Galway at the penultimate hurdle so far under the radar.
Granted, those who were then Shane McCormack’s charges came up a dozen points short against the Dubs on the biggest day of all, but, to have got that far with a team in evolving transition could easily have been ascribed as over achieving.
Highly admirable in its own way. Which is why it was both only right and highly encouraging to note four of our girls – Robyn Murray, Mary Kate Lynch, Aoibhin Cleary and Niamh Gallogly – honoured among the All Stars announced on Saturday night.
Recognition for the great season our ladies had had whilst at the same time imbuing all and sundry with renewed hope and optimism. Now to just get the next month or so out of the way and point the ship towards Aughrim.