Meathman's Diary: Sport’s ability to lift the spirits never wanes
JIMMY GEOGHEGAN
Kellie Harrington's wonderous exploits in the Olympics infused the country with a renewed pride - underlining the power sport has to raise the spirits of people.
Thirty years ago the people of Meath experienced something similar - a surge of pride engendered by the the exploits of it's football team. It was in that unforegettable summer of '91 the boys in green and gold embarked on a truly remarkable journey.
That journey involved many twists and numerous turns. Right up there, of course, were the games Meath played against Dublin in the opening round of the Leinster championship - the so called 'Deadlock' saga when the two old rivals played each other four times, yes four times, between Sunday 2nd June and Saturday 6th July. What drama was served up, what excitement and anticipation, what controversy as the series rolled on and on.
In the end Kevin Foley's last-gasp goal ransacked Dublin's chances (with Davy Beggy adding the winning point) but the series was pure box office. The four Meath v Dublin games generated over £1.1 million in gate revenue. Croker rocked as the old rivals went at each other like Sumo wrestlers.
After Dublin, Meath kept rolling on defeating Wicklow (following a replay), Offaly, Laois, Roscommon before losing to Down in the final. That too was a remarkable day if only for the way the Royal County fought back to almost snatch victory from what seemed a hopeless position.
From time to time I am asked to name my greatest sporting occasion. I always refer to that last Dublin game and Foley's remarkable late goal; a moment that remains indelibly imprinted on the mind; on the soul.
I had a modest role to play in Meath's march that unforgettable summer. I was a reporting for the Weekender (a Navan-based newspaper now sadly no longer in business). My purpose was to go into the dressingrooms after the game and get quotes from players who had just served up such drama.
In an era before the post-match press briefings in Croke Park I, along with other reporters, could just wonder into the changing rooms and talk to the players. They had to try to put some kind of sense of what they had just experienced on the field of play while invariably trying to get dressed after they had their shower. Now players at least have a chance to compose themselves in the quiet of their dressingrooms before appearing in front of the media. It's the way it should be.
That mayhem invariably found in the busy dressingrooms was just part of the GAA scene back then. It was certainly part of an summer of 30 years ago, a summer like no other. The fact Meath failed to win the Sam Maguire in the end didn't matter. What mattered was that the team gave it everything - they made their people proud. Just like Kellie.