While the Aussies were teaching Ireland a lesson in the hybrid game, more mundane, yet issues every bit as important, were being decided down in the Royal County, as the local championship finally re-ignited after a stormy couple of weeks…

The first game on an attractive double header in Pairc Tailteann was the clash of Trim and Dunboyne. In one way this game turned out to be a tale of two county men- one who played-Darren Fay, and one who didn’t- Nigel Crawford. It was only on Sunday evening that most pundits realised that Ireland’s loss was Trim’s gain, as the best full-back of the modern era played through the pain barrier to help the town side earn a tilt at their first senior title in forty years.

Fay has been troubled by an ankle injury, picked up in an accidental clash during International Rules training, and ruled himself out of the two tests but managed to inspire his club mates to overcome a Dunboyne side who looked to have earned another day out when drawing level in injury time. Crawford was ruled out of the tie after suffering an injury playing for UCD in the Dublin Championship and could only watch helplessly as Trim snatched two very late points to ensure that the Black and Ambers went out crashing out of the Keegan Cup race.

It’s extremely rare on a double bill to see a semi-final precede a quarterfinal but then again there has been a lot of unusual happenings regarding the clash of near neighbours Blackhall Gaels and Dunshaughlin. The original game saw the Gaels winning by two points, but due to a technicality, the game had to be re-fixed.

After the prolonged debate that surrounded this game it was almost a relief to players, officials and supporters alike to see both sides eventually take the field. In ways its was a carbon copy of the original fixture. Dunshaughlin coached by Eamon Barry- who only recently challenged Sean Boylan for the post of Meath Senior Manager- raced into an early lead only to see Leo Turley’s Blackhall side- remember Leo, corner forward for Laois in the early nineties? -score six unanswered points in the 3rd quarter, making make the current county champions work extremely hard for their win.

The remaining semi-final between Dunshaughlin and Seneschalstown – home of Graham Geraghty- is fixed for this Sunday but indications are that the game, looks set to be delayed as Buccaneers’ new signing – a certain Mr Geraghty - has another important date in his diary… for with the second test in Croker.