Meath hurling has had a dramatic year. From winning the Christy Ring Cup, to drawing the Christy Ring Cup, to winning the Christy Ring Cup again. The natural thing to do of course, was cut the Christy Ring winning captain from the 2017 panel by text.
The Royals put all of that behind them this afternoon though, as Kerry visited Pairc Tailtean for game one of the Leinster Championship round robin.
It didn't get off to a great start, with the Kingdom finding the net within 15 seconds of the start. They recovered and Sean Quigley's goal helped them go into half time ahead by three points. An eight point lead with fifteen minutes to play looked comfortable. But Kerry would claw it back to a three point game, only for Cathal McCabe to find the net again for Meath, giving them their first win in the Senior Hurling Championship since 2002.
A winning scoreline of 3-20 to 2-17 cued up jubilation from Meath supporters on Twitter
What a win!! Well done lads https://t.co/RZeaRh1dEu
— aoife farrell (@aoifefarrell) April 23, 2017
Today i say to the kids "go and get your photo with Brendan Cummins". Who's Brendan? They have new hurling heros. #tippy @MeathGAA pic.twitter.com/mLlRZDosTB
— Paul R (@runaipaul) April 23, 2017
Brilliant performance again from @MeathGAA hurlers in Navan, historic result.
— Brian Farrell (@Farlo84) April 23, 2017
Congrats to the @MeathGAA hurlers today on a great win
— Anthony Moyles (@moylesiea) April 23, 2017
...Meath led by 9 points but see it reduced to 3, need two saves from the keeper (@KiltaleGAA 💪🏻), then a late goal to seal it by 6. PHEW
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) April 23, 2017
Meath just won their first Leinster Hurling Champ game after 13 years in exile. Everything looking up for the Royals in both codes now.
— Brein McGinn (@BreinMcG) April 23, 2017
Sounds like you'll be celebrating plenty tonight in Stuttgart!! #AnMhíAbú #COYBIG https://t.co/hgvmEISeC9 https://t.co/HuMBtXIlIR
— Meath GAA (@MeathGAA) April 23, 2017
Laois are the visitors to Navan next Sunday. The winners will be almost assured of a place in the Leinster Championship quarter final.
