Meath have been crowned Tailteann Cup winners for 2023, defeating Down one a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-14 in the final at Croke Park this afternoon.
This result ensures that they will be competing for the Sam Maguire in 2024.
It was a game that was low in quality in the opening half, with the two sides going level at 1-3 to 0-6. Both teams were wasteful in attack, with the most memorable moment in the first 35 minutes coming via a Down own goal.
Here's something you don't see often at Croke Park! Down were unfortunate to score a strange own goal in this afternoon's Tailteann Cup final 😬pic.twitter.com/Wp5J2lgsRg
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 15, 2023
The second half was a different story.
There was a noticeable upturn in the pace of play and willingness to attack, especially from Meath. They produced some wonderful scores after the interval, including this effort from Jack Flynn.
Jack Flynn increases Meath's lead to three with his third point of the day. pic.twitter.com/r1n5jM4TeD
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 15, 2023
The match was still in the balance in injury time, with Down trailing by just two points. However, a late goal from Jack O'Connor would put the result beyond all doubt as Meath eventually ran out as five-point winners.
Colm O'Rourke in flying form after Meath Tailteann Cup win
While much of this season did not necessarily go to plan for Meath, they have certainly ended it on a high. The same can be said for Colm O'Rourke, who led the county to silverware during his first year in charge.
Of course, the Royals legend has long coveted this job and was finally given the opportunity to manage his home county. He was rewarded for treating this competition with massive respect despite the fact that Meath did not plan on being in it at the start of the year.
Speaking to RTÉ after the game, you could clearly see how delighted O'Rourke was to end the year on a high note.
It may not compare to chariot racing, spear throwing or pig wrestling, but Meath manager Colm O'Rourke is hoping that his side's Tailteann Cup triumph can be the springboard to greater things next season. #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/ashE8jjKJL
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 15, 2023
It was a great performance. I suppose we're all happy to see Donal Keogan, who had s given such good service to Meath, go up the Hogan Stand for the Tailteann Cup.
It has a lot of resonance in Meath in so far as the Tailteann games were held in Meath. You chariot racing, spear throwing, pig wrestling, it was a bit like Dunderry on a Saturday night...
I think is going to give them a taste to go onto better things. Of course, it guarantees us that we will play in the All-Ireland next year. These are a hungry team that will want more...
A lot of fellas have gone before us and tried their utmost but it didn't work out for them. I suppose like any new management team we brought a fresh energy, brought in a lot of new players. We were only talking before the game, from the first league game back in January against Cork, there was only five of that team starting today.
There's been change at the beginning and a lot of change as we went along. I think they're a great bunch of fellas...
It's great to look forward to going to training with a bunch of lads like them. It will be great to look forward to tonight.
As the poet Horace said when he was asked what he would do after Cleopatra was beaten by the Romans, he said 'nunc est bibendum'. All the classical scholars out there will know what that means.
If they don't, Jimmy Google will sort it out for them!
While we are no scholars, we have been reliably informed that the above phrase translates as 'now is the time for drinking'.
Nunc est bibendum
"Now is the time for drinking" #MeathGAA 🍺😅 pic.twitter.com/icqE0ptz8V— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 15, 2023
Colm O'Rourke and his Meath players certainly deserve the celebrations after ending the season on a high.
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