Death of 1949 Royal County captain, Brian Smyth

Brian Smyth, who captained Meath to All Ireland senior football glory in 1949, has died. The Dunboyne man was aged 92.

He was also on the 1954 All Ireland-winning team, and was on the Meath side that won the 1948 All-Ireland JHC final.

Smyth lined out at centre-half-forward against Cavan in 1949, and again against Kerry in 1954. He competently occupied other positions during his years playing for the county yet it was on the ‘40’ that he enjoyed playing the most.

At club level he turned out for Flathouse, Batterstown, Skryne and Dunboyne. He went on to referee at the club and inter-county fronts.
Later he had a protracted spell as secretary of the Meath Hurling Board and also a stint as chairman of the Meath Co Board during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Smyth was chairman when Sean Boylan - looked upon by some as a ‘hurling man,’ - was appointed manager of the Meath football team in ‘83. The deal was clinched at about 3am one morning in Smyth’s house as both men sat drinking tea.

Predeceased by his wife, Mairead (O'Brien), and son, Bernard, he is survived by daughters Dympna and Attracta, daughter-in-law Carol, sons-in-law Tony and Des, grandchildren, relatives and friends.