Meath’s stunning victory over Dublin last Sunday has brought a fresh sense of optimism to Leinster football, with former Westmeath player Dessie Dolan predicting a bright future for the Royal County. Dublin, who have dominated the Leinster Championship since 2011, will not be lifting the Delaney Cup in 2025 after Meath’s impressive performance set up a provincial final showdown with Louth.
Dublin’s form had been inconsistent throughout the league, compounded by the high-profile retirements of key players from their six-in-a-row golden generation. These factors raised doubts about their dominance, and Meath capitalized on their perceived vulnerability.
Dolan, speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, believes Meath’s victory could signal a new era for the province. “Meath now look, realistically, like a team that are going to be around for a while and are going to be competing at the top level,” he said. “They’ve quality all over the pitch, very good finishers, and big men around the middle. It looks, all of a sudden, like the landscape is changing very quickly in Leinster.”
The win not only ended Dublin’s reign but also opened up opportunities for other teams in the province. Dolan feels that the result will inspire a resurgence across Leinster, with teams like Kildare, Louth, and Westmeath now in a stronger position. “All of a sudden, everybody has got a shot in the arm. Leinster is wide open again – there’s life in it, there’s opportunity there,” Dolan said, expressing his excitement about the potential for competition.
Meath’s resilience and determination were key factors in their triumph, qualities that had been missing from the team in recent years. Dolan highlighted that the Royal County had rediscovered their “doggedness to win,” which had been absent for much of the past decade. “It was back big time last Sunday,” he added.
The provincial final will see Meath take on Louth, who earned their spot after edging out Kildare in the other semi-final. With Dublin’s grip on the championship now loosened, the future of Leinster football appears to be shifting, with Meath at the forefront of what could be a new era for the province.
