Over the course of 2019, the Meath Minor Hurlers played six Championship games, picking up victories over Down and Antrim in the Leinster MHC before toppling neighbours Westmeath in the semi-final of the Peadar Ó Liathain Cup. On a day when playing resources were stretched, Carlow proved a hurdle too high to jump in Round 1 of Leinster before winning a much tighter game in the Peadar Ó Liathain Cup Final and a very strong Kildare side emerged victorious in Newbridge in the Leinster MHC preliminary quarter final.

That Westmeath game will be remembered by many close to the team for Gary Fleming showing his dedication to the cause by leaving a family wedding to line out in his customary full back berth, bringing back memories of Graham Geraghty landing out the back of Páirc Tailteann for an All Ireland quarter final against Louth back in 2001. On that evening the team showcased the spirit and fight which Philip Lyons had instilled in them along with a high skill level when needing every last ounce of their nous to win out by four points.

The final against Carlow was then synonymous with James Murray showcasing his ability when landing two spectacular sideline cuts, the first an effort of real beauty in the opening half into the O’Mahonys end but the second even more spectacular at the opposite end. Carlow though finished the stronger to come away with the victory but not before the Meath side had given them an almighty fright.

Over the half dozen games the team had strong performances from a large number of players with various people stepping up to the plate in on different occasions. Shane Clarke did his utmost to stem the tide on that opening day in Carlow before Conor McGovern shot the lights out in Abbotstown against Down in Round 2 in what was a stunning virtuoso performance.

James Murray returned from injury to great effect against Antrim when along with Conor Lyons, Cathal McKeown who fired 2-02, Cathal Smith and Martin Keogh he helped overpower the Glensmen before the panel decamped to Newbridge in support of the county’s senior hurlers in their Christy Ring Cup game against Kildare.

Jack Lanigan, Dylan Farrell and Aaron Traynor were all in fine form throughout the season, with Justin Coyne showcasing his undoubted ability when excelling in the Peadar Ó Liathain Cup Final and illustrating what a loss he was earlier in the season after being unable to take to the field during the Leinster Championship.

There though was one outstanding candidate for the hoganstand.com Meath Minor Hurling Player of the Year and that was team captain James Murray. Murray who had also been at midfield the year previously, led by example throughout the season first when battling through injury to line out in IT Carlow in Round 1 before returning from that injury to lead the side to wins over Antrim and Westmeath. A towering presence around the middle of the field, he was always there to make the pivotal intervention when dropping deep into defence of come up with the inspirational score to revitalise the team when their backs were to the wall. And for those who were in Navan to see those two sideline cuts, they couldn’t have walked away without thinking they’d witnessed a potentially special talent.

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