Trailblazers who left a great legacy

DIAMOND JUBILEE 75 years since Meath claimed their first Sam Maguire

SEAN WALL

THEY were the trailblazers who left a legacy for those who came after them, the fabulous 49’ers.

Prior to that Meath’s football achievements had been modest enough but the All-Ireland final appearance in 1939 was a groundbreaker of sorts.

It gave the county a belief and optimism that the Holy Grail was within reach. That optimism was fuelled by a National League success in 1946 and a Leinster championship victory in 1947. However the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry was a painful one and a missed opportunity to play in the famous Polo Grounds final.

The dream seemed as far away as ever when neighbours Louth got the better of them in the 1948 Leinster semi-final. If anything Meath was resilient and they bounced back the following year, defeating the Wee County after a three game marathon before defeating Westmeath in the Leinster final.

Connacht champions Mayo were brushed aside in the All-Ireland semi-final before Meath halted Cavan’s drive for three-in-a-row in the final, to be immortalised forever in the annals of Meath GAA history. Not only that they inspired subsequent generations of Meath footballers to emulate that achievement.

Meath had neighbours Louth to thank for helping them to their first-ever All-Ireland SFC title, the historic breakthrough that was 1949.

For decades afterwards players and supporters from the 1949 era claimed that it was the titanic battle with the Wee County in the Leinster semi-final that moulded the Royal County into an All-Ireland winning combination.

It took three matches to separate the great rivals, Meath eventually winning by the minimum, 2-5 to 1-7, following two drawn encounters. In the opening match of that three game saga Syddan's Paddy Meegan saved his side from defeat with a last minute point.

A fifth provincial title was achieved when Meath overcame Wexford, 4-5 to 0-6 in the Leinster final.

There was a remarkable improvement in Meath's play compared to the earlier rounds and that continued in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Mayo, 3-10 to 1-10.

Emerging Mayo had earlier put back-to-back Connacht titles together but they were no match for the Royals who were boosted by the magnificence of full back Paddy 'Hands' O'Brien.

A record attendance of 79,460 witnessed captain Brian Smyth received the Sam Maguire Cup from GAA president Michael Kehoe following the 1-10 to 1-6 success over holders Cavan who were seeking a three-in-a-row in the All-Ireland final.

The win ensured hero status for the team and Paddy Dixon, Frankie Byrne, Brian Smyth, Peter McDermott, Paddy Meegan, Micheál and Paddy O'Brien, Kevin McConnell and many more became household names as their lives changed forever.

Syddan's Bill Halpenny scored the Meath goal and Frankie Byrne and Brian Smyth both contributed four points against a Cavan team that included greats like John Joe O'Reilly, Simon Deignan, Victor Sherlock, Mick Higgins, Tony Tighe, Phil 'The Gunner' Brady and Peter Donohoe.

SCORERS

Meath - Frankie Byrne 0-4, Brian Smyth 0-3, Bill Halpenny 1-0, Mattie McDonnell, Paddy Meegan, Paddy Connell 0-1 each.

Cavan - Peter Donohoe 0-6, Mick Higgins 1-0.

TEAMS

Meath - Kevin Smyth; Michael O'Brien, Paddy O'Brien, Kevin McConnell; Seamus Heery, Paddy Dixon, Christo Hand; Paddy Connell, Jim Kearney; Frankie Byrne, Brian Smyth, Mattie McDonnell; Paddy Meegan, Bill Halpenny, Peter McDermott. Subs - Pat Carolan for Byrne, Charlie Smyth, Des Taaffe, Larry McGuinness, Johnny Bashford, Jim 'Red' Meehan, Johnny Meehan, Tommy Farrelly, Paddy Dunne, Matty Maguire.

Cavan - S Morris; J McCabe, P Smith, O R McGovern; PJ Duke, JJ O'Reilly, S Deignan; P Brady, V Sherlock; A Tighe, M Higgins, JJ Cassidy; J Stafford, P Donohoe, E Carolan. Subs - T P O'Reilly, W Doonan, R O'Connor, B McNamara, S Cusack.

1949 Championship Record

Leinster Championship - Meath 0-11, Kildare 1-5; Meath 0-14, Wexford 4-0; Meath 1-5, Louth 1-5; Meath 2-9, Louth 3-6; Meath 2-5, Louth 1-7; final - Meath 4-5, Westmeath 0-6.

All-Ireland semi-final - Meath 3-10, Mayo 1-10.

All Ireland Final - Meath 1-10, Cavan 1-6.