This is where it starts.
Meath football has been in the doldrums for a couple of years now. For a county with such a rich tradition in the game not to have won a Leinster title in the last seven years has to be considered something of a tragedy.
The Royals’ seniors endured a frustrating League campaign this year again with their leaky defence dragging them down to fifth place in Division Two.
The clubs haven’t been faring too well either, with Skryne the last team to make it to a Leinster club final way back in 2004. A Meath club hasn’t gone on to win in Leinster since the men of Dunshaughlin did it in 2004. The health of the club game in the county is often referenced as a huge part in the county’s struggles.
The only way is up for Meath football and Wednesday night’s defeat of Dublin in the Leinster minor football championship could be the start of it.
Meath Minors don't fear the Dublin Minors
— Patrick Dempsey (@paddy_dempsey) May 23, 2018
Plenty of hard work has been put into the underage structures in the county and throughout its club over the last few years and it appears that now, they are reaping the rewards from it.
Now winning minor games and championships is by no means a guarantee of senior success in the years to come, but the fact that the coaching structures are being put into place from the bottom up is only a good sign for things to come.
The green and gold army defeated the Dubs by two points in a ferociously contested Páirc Táilteann thriller last night, in what would be their second time to beat their bitter neighbours and rivals in the grade in the last three years.
Indeed, they would have three up on Dublin were it not for a ten point turnaround by the Dubs in 2017.
Let’s not forget, in 2016, they defeated Dublin by ten points.
So refreshing to see @MeathGAA Minors outplay the Dubs with skill…Dubs conditioned to the last but Meath had desire, hunger & will to win!
— David Rispin (@Davy_Rispin) May 23, 2018
There was a good spread of players on the Meath team, with two from junior club Moynalty starring, while Oldcastle, Clanne na Gael and Walterstown men also played key roles.
Dunshaughlin man Luke Mitchell was the star of the day, kicking six points from full forward.
https://twitter.com/JurassicArse/status/999370911852716033
Former Meath senior and current sprinter Eamon Wallace played tribute.
Great win for Meath minors!! #massive
— Eamon Wallace (@EamonWallace94) May 23, 2018
Bua iontach ag @MeathGAA#Meath minors and supporters savour victory against #Dublin in the @gaaleinster championship
📺 Highlights Mon @20.00 @SportTG4
@MeathGAAjuv pic.twitter.com/Bc5QrLSD7a— GAA 2024 (@GAA_2022_TG4) May 23, 2018
And here’s how the table stands now.
The @ElectricIreland @gaaleinster Minor Championship Group 1 table after Round 2. Next up is a local derby against @louthgaa on Wednesday evening in the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda. #AnMhíAbú #COYBIG #thisismajor pic.twitter.com/hBJYUefjVp
— Meath GAA (@MeathGAA) May 24, 2018
