On this day 20 years ago…
July 28, 2016
Tommy Dowd of Meath tussles with Keith Barr during the 1996 Leinster SFC final ©INPHO / Tom Honan
On Sunday, July 28th, 1996, an exuberant young Meath side stripped Dublin of their Leinster and All-Ireland crowns.
Sean Boylan's new-look outfit reversed their ten-point loss to the Dubs of twelve months earlier by inflicting a shock 0-10 to 0-8 defeat on their neighbours in the Leinster SFC final at Croke Park.
The game was played in a torrential downpour and the Royals adapted best to win their first provincial crown in five years and justify their legendary manager's decision to remain at the helm. Indeed, Meath would go on to win the Sam Maguire Cup in September, cementing Boylan's status as their greatest-ever boss.
The 1996 Leinster final was error-strewn, with both Charlie Redmond and Trevor Giles uncharacteristically profligate from frees, especially in the first half. Giles got his act together after the restart, however, and played a key role in the victory, as did midfielder John McDermott and captain Tommy Dowd, who slotted the final point.
Evan Kelly, Brendan Reilly and Dowd hit the winners' only three points of the first half and they trailed by one at the interval. A Giles brace had the Royals level shortly after the restart and - with a perfect mix of youth and experience - they grew in stature to clinch a famous success.
