For the past month we have asked our readers to choose their starting 15 made up from Meath’s last four All-Ireland winning sides.

We had a fantastic response as the deeds of the Sam Maguire winning teams of 1987, 1988, 1996 and 1999 were recalled.

So here are the chosen 15, or actually 16 as one spot couldn’t be decided.

Goalkeeper: Ballivor clubman Conor Martin took over the number 1 jersey ahead of Micheal McQuillan as Sean Boylan's charges bridged an eight year gap to beat Mayo after a replay 2-9 to 1-11.

Number 2: Three time All Star winner Robbie O’Malley won his two All-Irelands in ’87 and ’88 and was just ahead of Mark O’Reilly who picked up his medals in 1996 and ’99. The St. Colmcilles star led the Royals to NFL glory in 1994.

Number 3: These two could not be separated. Summerhill's Mick Lyons was the most feared full back in the country for over ten years, winning 2 All Irelands (captain in '87), 5 Leinsters, 2 NFL and 2 All Stars while Darren Fay was a prince of a full backs, claiming All-Irelands in 1996 and 99.

Number 4:Terry Ferguson manned the corner back position for the Royals in their wins over Cork in ’87 and ’88. An All-star winner in 1990, the Gaeil Colmcille star's fitness and ability to gain possession proved a big asset to Sean Boylan’s charges.

Number 5: Colm Coyle started in the Number 5 jersey in ’88 and 1996. Although his time in the ’96 replay was cut short, the versatile Seneschalstown man could have held down any position during the Sean Boylan era. His match levelling point against Mayo in the drawn game will live long in the memory.

Centre back: Liam Harnan was outstanding for the Royals in the ’87 and ’88 All Ireland wins. Many an opposition attack faltered around the powerful Moynalvey defender. Harnan also won 5 Leinster's and 2 National League's and it’s still a mystery how he never picked up an All Star Award.

Number 7: Martin O'Connell made this position his own during  that glorious period from '87 to '91. The Millennium Man is Meath's most decorated footballer and during his very illustrious career picked up three All Ireland's (at half back in '87 and '88 and at corner back in 1996), 6 Leinster's, 3 NFL's and no less than 4 All Star awards.

     

Midfield: Gerry McEntee and John McDermott. McEntee dominated the midfield exchanges for well over a decade and was an inspirational figure in the All Ireland triumphs of '87 and '88. The Sigerson Cup winning captain also won 5 Leinsters and a NFL medal in a glittering career. McDermott was the best midfielder in the country for six years and collected 2 All Ireland's, 4 Leinster's and 3 All Stars along with captaining Ireland in the International Rules series.

Number 10: Fast forward to 1996 and Trevor Giles started on the wing in the All Ireland final replay win over Mayo. One of the best players in the country for 10 years, Giles was awarded an All Star on three occasions.The double winning Footballer of the Year was on the 40 for the '99 win over Cork.

Number 11: Tommy Dowd could literally play anywhere in the forward line and captained Meath to the 1996 win over Cork. In a very illustrious career the Dunderry star picked up two All Ireland's, four Leinsters and an impressive four All Star awards.

Number 12: The wearer of the Number 12 jersey in 1996 needs no introduction. Graham Geraghty was arguably one of Meath's best ever footballers. The Seneschalstown star captained the Royals in '99 at full forward. Geraghty has won every major honour in the game including 2 All Ireland's, 3 Leinster's, 2 NFL's, 2 All Star's and represented Ireland in the International Rules series.

Number 13: One of Meath best ever footballers, Colm O'Rourke was inspirational in the wins of '87 and '88. The RTE pundit finished a glittering career with 2 All Ireland's, 5 Leinster's, 3 NFL's and 3 All Stars. A real powerhouse in the full forward line with a trusty left peg and a great eye for a score.

Full forward: Many will argue that Meath would not have been the powerhouse they were from '86 to '94 without the services of Brian Stafford. The Kilmainhamwood star never failed from frees or play and his scoring tallies were crucial to those All Ireland successes in '87 and '88. 'Staff' ended a glittering career with 2 All Irelands, 5 Leinster's, 3 NFL's and 3 All Stars.

Number 15: Bernard Flynn was the final piece of the jigsaw in what was probably one of the best full forward lines in the history of the GAA. Small in stature but the Colmcilles' man terrorised defences for over ten years with his pace, vision, skill and accuracy. Bernard wore the Number 15 jersey in the '87 and '88 wins and has a vast medal collection that also includes 5 Leinster's and 2 All Stars.

The full list of players - all outstanding players in the Green and Gold and magnificent servants to Meath GAA.

Goalkeeper: Cormac Sullivan, Conor Martin, Mickey McQuillan

Number 2: Mark O'Reilly, Robbie O'Malley

Full Back: Darren Fay, Mick Lyons

Number 4: Cormac Murphy, Martin O'Connell, Terry Ferguson

Number 5: Paddy Reynolds, Colm Coyle, Kevin Foley

Centre back: Enda McManus, Liam Harnan

Number 7: Hank Traynor, Paddy Reynolds, Martin O'Connell

Midfield: John McDermott, Jimmy McGuinness, Nigel Crawford, Liam Hayes, Gerry McEntee

Number 10: Evan Kelly, Trevor Giles, David Beggy

Number 11: Trevor Giles, Tommy Dowd, Joe Cassells

Number 12: PJ Gillic, Graham Geraghty, Nigel Crawford

Number 13: Ollie Murphy, Colm Brady, Colm O'Rourke

Full forward: Graham Geraghty, Brendan Reilly, Brian Stafford

Number 15: Donal Curtis, Barry Callaghan, Bernard Flynn

And not forgetting the substitutes who played such an important part in bringing home those 4 All Ireland titles, Paraic Lyons, Mattie McCabe, Jody Devine and Richie Kealy

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