Meath and Dublin are no strangers when it comes to serving up classic football encounters. The 1997 Leinster senior football championship quarter final, this day 23 years ago was no different.

Croke Park was packed to witness another classic as All-Ireland champions Meath held on to record a 1-13 to 1-10 win.

This was the game that set the Football Championship alight - an enthralling game was as full of passion, commitment and raw courage as any of the encounters in that epic four-match series of 1991. It was a typical Meath - Dublin clash.

There was nothing spared in endeavour and the tension was almost unbearable as first Meath took control and then Dublin rallied with telling effect. And then it all came down to the last kick of the game. With the stop-watch ticking into injury time, Meath full back Darren Fay was penalised for a foot black as Mick Galvin shot for goal and Wexford referee Brian White had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. But much to the dismay of Dublin players and supporters alike, Paul Bealin’s powerfully struck shot cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and Dublin were out of the championship. (Brian Carthy - The Championship 1997)

The difference between the teams that day was Meath’s ability to get scores with all six forwards raising flags. 

Dublin were ahead 0-3 to 0-1 inside ten minutes but the All Ireland champions kicked into gear and totally dominated. Meath added eight points without reply and when Ollie Murphy flicked a goal, Sean Boylan’s charges led 1-10 to 0-4. The Carnaross star had earlier kicked a wonderful point from under the Hogan Stand. Dublin fought back, Keith Barr scored a brilliant goal and four points separated the teams at the break, 1-10 to 1-6.

Dublin kept that momentum going into the second half and with 62 minutes gone the lead was down to the minimum 1-10 to 1-9 Meath hadn’t score for over a half an hour, Trevor Giles missed a penalty after 48 minutes, but Brendan Reilly steadied the ship and further points from John McDermott and Tommy Dowd opened up a three point lead.

The stopwatch said 73.02 when Bealin stepped up to that penalty and the rest is history.

Meath scorers: Ollie Murphy 1-1, Trevor Giles 0-3, John McDermott, Brendan Reilly and Tommy Dowd 0-2 each, Evan Kelly, Jimmy McGuinness and Graham Geraghty 0-1 each.

Meath: Conor Martin, Mark O’Reilly, Darren Fay, Colm Coyle, Nigel Nestor, Endan McManus, Donal Curtis, Jimmy McGuinness, John McDermott, Evan Kelly, Trevor Giles, Graham Geraghty, Tommy Dowd, Brendan Reilly, Ollie Murphy. Sub: Jody Devine

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