Always sweeter to claim Sam with a final win over the Kingdom

Championship meetings between Meath and Kerry are few and far between, but the first significant Royal victory came on 26th September 1954 when an ageing Meath team claimed a 1-13 to 1-7 victory and the Sam Maguire Cup following the All-Ireland SFC final in Croke Park. The game was recalled in Dermot Reilly and Colm Keys' magnificent book 'Chasing Sam Maguire'.

Given the county's remarkable All-Ireland record, and that they were reigning champions, it's hardly surprising that Kerry were widely tipped to retain their title. As for Meath, they had been considered fortunate to survive in several of their earlier games and, with the exception of Mick Dunne of The Irish Press, neutral pundits doubted that luck could carry them through against the might of the Kingdom. In what was widely regarded as one of the most disappointing finals in memory, Kerry were overwhelmed by a much fitter and more determined Meath 15.

The restrictions on full-time collective training at the time were blamed for Kerry's sub-par performance as they had 10 players who lived outside the county.

Heated debate on the issue was not confined to the sports pages, the Letters to the Editor columns were kept busy for weeks afterwards.

This excerpt from the Meath Chronicle of 11th September suggests that Meath's advantage in the fitness stakes may not have been great.

"The Meath selectors have decided on a light training programme for the Royal County team in preparation for the forthcoming All-Ireland senior football final against Kerry. The first exercise took place in Pairc Tailteann, Navan, on Wednesday of last week. Probably there will be two or three sessions next week. None of the players is laying off work, even during the week preceding the big match, No Training fund is being established."

Right from the throw-in, Meath set the tone for the game. Even though he won the toss, their captain Peter McDermott elected to play against the elements. Kerry's confused defenders lined out at the wrong end of the ground. There was further confusion when the game finally got underway with a small dog invading the f[itch before being dismissed by referee Simon Deignan.

Meath proceeded to build up a solid lead, but John Joe Sheehan scored a goal for Kerry just before the break, giving them a one-point advantage at half-time. It was largely one-way traffic in the second half as Meath, with their blend of youth and experience, pulled away for a comfortable victory. it was ironic that Meath's goal was scored by Kerry native Tom Moriarty.

The old guard of McDermott, Smyth, the O'Briens and Meegan led by example with the last mentioned having cut short his honeymoon to line out. Among the younger brigade, Kevin Lenehan and Ned Durnin were superb, but top billing went to Micheal Grace who, according to Padraig Puirseal in The Irish Press, 'gave an exhibition that he may yet equal, but certainly can never surpass.'

The consensus was that Meath's was a 15-man victory, while Kerry 'stars' were thin on the ground. Their outstanding performer was wing-forward Paudie Sheehy, who never gave up the fight. The rest of the forward division showed only flashes of their true form, but a breakthrough against the ever-alert Patsy McGearty proved beyond them. Elsewhere Garry O'Mahony, John Cronin, James Mixie Palmer and Tom Moriarty were Kerry's best. Kerry's Tom Moriarty and his Meath namesake both came from the village of Castlegregory.

Aside from the general agreement that the 1954 final had fallen short as a spectacle, there was also a widespread view that neither Meath nor Kerry were likely to be in the shake-up for honours for the foreseeable future. No fewer than five of Meath's experienced men had flagged their intention to retire. It was not a spate of retirements that called Kerry's prospects into doubt; only the usual air of despondency which hangs in the air after a final defeat.

Other Match Facts

Meath's legendary full-back Paddy O'Brien had been a doubtful starter for the final after being 'tormented all week by a carbuncle on the back of his neck'.

To avoid a clash of colours for the final Kerry wore the Cavan blue, which might have spurred the Meath men on even further. The referee Seamus Deignan was attired in white.

Syddan's Tom Duff was unavailable for the final after suffering a broken leg in the Leinster decider against Offaly.

Meath scrapped past Wicklow in their opening game in Leinster with a Paddy Meegan point in the ninth minute of injury-time.

Patsy McGearty was the man of the match in Meath's Leinster semi-final win over Kildare. In the semi-final victory over Longford Kevin 'Gus' Lenehan gave one of the best individual displays of the championship.

Despite only winning the Leinster final against Offaly by three points Meath were by far the better team and led by 10 at one stage before late Offaly goals narrow the gap.

In the 1-5 to 0-7 All-Ireland semi-final win over Cavan Paddy O'Brien played the 'cleverest game of his spectacular career', while Tom O'Brien produced a 'dazzling display of attacking football' before breaking his collarbone.

All media reports agreed that Meath were the deserving winners, with the exception of The Anglo Celt who proclaimed that 'Meath won altogether against the run of play'.

Meath - Patsy McGearty (Ballivor); Micheal O'Brien (Skryne), Paddy 'Hands' O'Brien (Sean McDermotts Dublin & Skryne), Kevin McConnell (Syddan, also Castletown); Kevin Lenehan (Duleek), Jim Reilly (Dunboyne), Ned Durnin (Donaghmore); Paddy Connell (Sean McDermotts Dublin, also Moynalty), Tom O'Brien (Skryne); Micheal Grace (Kells Harps), Brian Smyth ( Skryne 0-3), Mattie McDonnell (Ballinlough 0-2); Paddy Meegan (Syddan 0-5 four frees), Tom Moriarty ( Kilcloon, also Castlehgregory Kerry & Starlights Wexford 1-2), Peter McDermott (Capt) (Navan O'Mahonys, also Dunboyne, Young Irelands, Cushinstown 0-1). Subs - John Clarke (Kells Harps), Billy Rattigan (Dunshaughlin), Frankie Byrne (Navan O'Mahonys, also Navan Parnells & Clanna Gael Dublin), Gerald Smith (Kells Harps), Bernard Flanagan (Kells Harps), Larry O'Brien (Dunshaughlin), Patsy Ratty (Navan O'Mahonys), Dick Mee (Trim), Paddy Brady (Navan O'Mahonys), James Farrell (Trim), Tom Duff (Syddan).

Kerry - G O'Mahony; M Palmer, E Roche, D Murphy; S Murphy, J Cronin, G Kennelly; J Dowling, T Moriarty; R Buckley, JJ Sheehan (1-1), P Sheehy; J Brosnan (0-2), S Kelly, T Lyne (0-4 one free).

Referee - Simon Deignan (Cavan).