When Meath hurlers were mixing it with the 'Big Boys'
January 05, 2017
The Meath team that defeated Laois in the 2002 Leinster SHC at Pairc Taillteann.
After a brilliant season last year Meath senior hurlers get their 2017 season up an running this Sunday when they entertain the once mighty Offaly in the opening round of the Walsh Cup.
If 2016 was a great year for the Royal hurlers cast your mind back to 2002 when Meath were mixing it with the 'Big Boys' on the Leinster senior hurling championship stage.
Meath had just lost their National Hurling League Division 1 status, yes you read it correct Divison 1 but on May 13th at Pairc Tailteann they caused the upset of the year when beating a highly fancied Laois at Pairc Tailteann in the second round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.
Meath defeated Carlow in the opening round 1-9 to 0-9 thanks to a Neville Reilly goal and were on level terms with Laois at half time. With time running out Laois held a 1-18 to 1-16 lead. Meath won a close in free and keeper Mark Gannon's shot was deflected for a 65. It was dropped in to the Laois square and Mickey Cole slammed the breaking ball to the back of the net and Meath had won by a point.
Dublin were up next and the prize for the winners was a place in the Leinster semi-final. Two first half goals from Nicky Horan, who was nominated for an All Star award, kept Meath in the game and at half time Dublin led 0-16 to 2-5. A spirited Meath narrowed the gap to two points early in the second half but Dublin held on for a 1-24 to 2-12 win.
Meath were not done yet as it was the first year for the 'back door system'. Offaly who had been beaten 2-20 to 1-14 by Kilkenny, who were to go on and beat Clare in the All-Ireland final, stood in Meath's way of progress.
Pairc Tailteann was the venus and Meath more than matched the Faithful boys. There was only a point in it at the three quarter stage but the introduction of veteran Johnny Dooley swung the game in Offaly's favour and they had nine points to spare in the end 1-20 to 1-11.
Meath were managed by another Offaly great Michael Duignan. They also beat Laois in the opening round of the Walsh Cup and played Kilkenny in the semi final. The Cats, on a very rare visit to Pairc Tailteann, won that day 0-16 to 0-10.
For the record the Meath team and scorers that defeated Laois was: Mark Gannon, Paul Gannon, Paul Donnelly, Gay Kennedy, Charlie Keena, Declan Murray, Kevin Dowd, Cathal Sheridan, David Callaghan, Thomas Reilly 0-1, Dan Dorran, Mick Cole 1-1, Evan Lynam 0-1, Nicky Horan 1-10, Joey Toole 0-3. Subs: Anton O'Neill and Neville Reilly
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