30 years ago: No luck in Leinster but an Ulster minor title
February 23, 2021
The Meath team that took on Dublin at Walterstown. Front l-r: Cathal Sheridan, Trevor Smith, Tom Shine, Donal Curtis, Kenny Cantwell, Peter Sullivan. Back l-r: Graham Geraghty, Kieran Duffy, David Dillon, Paul Meade, Brendan Murphy, Ronan McGrath, Brendan Halpin, Damien Wogan, Alan Ashe.
After their All Ireland Minor Football Championship final win in 1990 hopes were high that Meath could go on and retain the Tom Markham Cup the following year. That hope was brought to an end in the opening round of the Leinster MFC by Dublin after a replay.
A late late Peter Sullivan point earned the young Royals a draw who had outstanding performances from Graham Geraghty, Kenny Cantwell, Paul Meade, Brendan Halpin, Donal Curtis and Cathal Sheridan at Parnell Park.
Meath Leinster MFC draw: Brendan Murphy, Kenny Cantwell, Brendan Halpin, Tom Shine, Ciaran Harten, Graham Geraghty 0-1, Paul Meade, Kieran Duffy, David Dillon, Donal Curtis, Ronan McGrath, Neville Dunne, Peter Sullivan 0-2, Alan Ashe, Cathal Sheridan 1-4, Subs: Jimmy McGuinness and Trevor Smith 0-1
The attendance for the replay in Walterstown was probably the largest seen for a Saturday afternoon fixture at the venue. Once again Meath came from behind to earn a draw and force the game into extra time.
Dublin led by four in the closing stages but the introduction of Simonstown’s Paul O’Brien changed the course of events and he inspired a late comeback by setting up a goal for Cathal Sheridan. Alan Ashe levelled matters and then O’Brien grabbed a point to put Meath ahead. Dublin got the equaliser from a free and unfortunately for the home side pushed on to win the game by six at the end of extra time.
Meath Leinster MFC replay: Brendan Murphy, Kenny Cantwell, Brendan Halpin, Tom Shine, Ronan McGrath, Graham Geraghty, Paul Meade, Kieran Duffy, David Dillon, Donal Curtis 0-2, Alan Ashe, Damien Wogan, Peter Sullivan 0-1, Cathal Sheridan 1-3, Trevor Smith. Subs: Mick O’Dowd for D. Wogan, John Brady for D. Dillon, Paul O’Brien 0-1 for D. Curtis, G. Bell for A. Ashe, Donal Curtis for R. McGrath
Amazingly the young Royals had to turn out two days later for the Ulster Minor League final replay.
Meath defeated Louth in the opening round and a second round victory was gained at the expense of Down, late points from Rathkenny’s Donal Curtis and Peter Sullivan proving crucial in Castlewellan.
Fine displays from Geraghty, Sullivan, Curtis and Trevor Smith gave Meath a 3-4 to 0-8 win over Antrim at Casement Park. Monaghan were swept aside in the last round to set up a final meeting with Cavan.
The decider was fixed for Carrickamacross but Meath were forced to line out without their St Pats College contingent who were involved in the All Ireland final. Ulster Council refused to budge on the date and the Royals were down Ronan McGrath, Paul Meade, Mick O’Dowd, Ciaran Harten, Kenny Cantwell, John Brady and Neville Dunne.
Despite this massive player loss Meath managed to force a 1-6 to 0-9 draw with the Breffnimen.
The replay was put on hold for the provincial championships.
Once again Carrickmacross was the venue and Meath showed no ill effects from that loss to Dublin running out convincing winners 1-18 to 1-10. Meath raced in to a 0-6 to 0-1 lead and never looked back. Captain Ronan McGrath led by example with two outstanding points from the half back line, Donal Curtis registered 1-5 while Sullivan finished with 0-5.
Meath (Ulster MFL Final replay): Brendan Murphy (Trim), Kenny Cantwell (Simonstown), Brendan Halpin (Oldcastle), Thomas Shine (Gaeil Colmcille), Ronan McGrath 0-2 (Simonstown), John Brady (O’Mahonys), Paul Meade (Simonstown), Graham Geraghty (Seneschalstown), Ciaran Duffy (St. Pats), Donal Curtis 1-5 (Rathkenny), Trevor Smith 0-1 (Ballivor), Gareth Bell (St. Marys), Peter Sullivan 0-5 (St. Pats), Alan as he (Boardsmill), Cathal Sheridan 0-4 (Moynalvey). Subs: Neville Dunne and David Wogan
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