Meath were crowned All Ireland Senior Football Championship winners for their 7th and amazingly last time on this date, 26th September 1999, after their 1-11 to 1-8 win over Cork in front of 64,000 supporters at Croke Park. Fifty years previous the 49ers claimed Meath first All Ireland title.

The Royals began the road to All Ireland glory with a 2-10 to 0-6 win over Wicklow. Graham Geraghty gave a Man of the Match display and scored 1-4. Nigel Crawford, Richie Kealy and Paul Shankey celebrated championship debuts.

Offaly were completely overwhelmed, 1-13 to 0-9, in the semi final. An Ollie Murphy goal on the 48th minute proved to be the crucial score. Murphy also kicked three points. Tommy Dowd raised four white flags to set up a Provincial final date with Dublin.

Over 56,000 passed through the turnstiles on a day that will be remembered for Ollie Murphy’s display. The Carnaross clubman destroyed Paddy Andrews and scored 1-5 in the process as Meath went on to record a 1-14 to 0-12 win.

Armagh, winners of their first Ulster title since 1982, provided the All Ireland semi final opposition. The demand for tickets was through the roof. The orchard men were 2-4 to 0-8 in front at the break. Meath inspired by Skryne do John McDermott and Trevor Giles, in his sleeveless jersey turned the screw in the second half and added seven points while holding Armagh to a single score to advance to the All Ireland final.

Cork stood in the way of Meath and their 7th All Ireland title. An injured Ollie Murphy finished brilliantly to the Cork net and Meath went in at the break 1-5 to 0-5 in front. Captain Graham Geraghty scored three second half points. Evan Kelly gave one of his best displays in the Green and Gold and also scored three points. Summerhill’s Mark O’Reilly picked up the Man of the Match award. Graham Geraghty didn't get to walk up the steps of the Hogan Stand and was presented with the Sam Maguire Cup in the middle of the Croke Park pitch as Sean Boylan’s men recorded a 1-11 to 1-8 win.

Meath: Cormac Sullivan, Mark O’Reilly, Darren Fay, Cormac Murphy, Paddy Reynolds, Enda McManus, Hank Traynor, Nigel Crawford, John McDermott, Evan kelly 0-3, Trevor Giles 0-4, Nigel nestle, Ollie Murphy 1-0, Graham Geraghty 0-3, Donal Curtis. Subs: Richie Kealy, Barry Callaghan, Tommy Dowd.

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