Meath’s fatal error vs Louth pinpointed by former Mayo All-Star
Former Mayo Gaelic footballer, Colm Boyle, highlighted Meath boss, Robbie Brennan, being unable to set up his team to prevent the Louth captain, Sam Mulroy, “stroll around Croke Park” during Louth’s 3-14 to 1-18 victory over Meath in the Leinster final.
Louth ended their 68-year wait for a Leinster title yesterday, with Mulroy scoring a 1-7 and winning man of the match, to help deliver the title in front of a crowd of 65,786.
More people at this Leinster final (65,786) than the last two combined (63,227).
— Malachy Clerkin (@MalachyClerkin) May 11, 2025
In a column in the Irish Mirror, Boyle felt there needed to be a Meath player “constantly biting” at Mulroy’s heels.
He said: “Mulroy touched the ball an incredible 53 times, the majority under little to no pressure; he was the conductor of their orchestra.”
“It’s ironic that on one of the few occasions Mulroy was put under any sort of pressure on the ball he was turned over and Mathew Costello scored a goal on the counter attack with seven minutes to go to put Meath one point up.”
The decision to not put the Louth footballer under more pressure, is one Boyle feels will be a “huge regret” for the Meath boss.
The failure to also deal with Louth All-Star, Craig Lennon, who scored a brilliant goal in the first half after driving past two Meath players in Jack Flynn and Donal Keogan, was also highlighted by the former Mayo All-Star.
The game unfolded with Meath leading Louth at half-time by a point, 0-13 to Louth’s 3-3, with the likes of Ruairí Kinsella leading the way for Brennan’s side. The Royal’s lost their momentum after half-time, with Louth taking the lead through Ciarán Downey making the score 3-11 to 0-18.
Meath re-took the lead with a goal from Matthew-Costello, but Mulroy’s game-winning two-point free turned the game around. Lennon’s insurance point at the end of the game, meant Louth clinched their first provincial title since 1957.
Sports Joe
