BOYNE RIVALS

Neighbours and pals split in town on county border

- JOHN KIERANS

THE rivalry all started with the black flags. The year was 1957 and Louth were playing in the All-Ireland final against Cork.

As the thousands of fans left Drogheda to head for Dublin, they noticed all the black flags on the poles along the Platin Road and Coolagh Street leaving the town.

No one knew who put them up. But the message was clear - it was a day of mourning for Meath people in Drogheda when Louth were in an All-Ireland final.

Louth went on to beat Cork that day and win their third All-Ireland football final. But sadly 68 years have since passed and they have never won anything since.

The story of the black flags has passed on from generation to generation in Drogheda. The Meath natives laugh at the shenanigans.

Fast forward to 2010.

Louth play Meath in a Leinster final and they are two points up in the last seconds of the game. Big Joe Sheridan throws the ball into the net for a goal in a frantic goalmouth scramble and the Royals controversially win by a point.

The goal was illegal. But referee Martin Sludden refuses to disallow it, and all hell breaks loose in Croke Park. Some irate Louth fans run onto the pitch and try to attack the ref.

The Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick and his whole squad are incensed by the so-called goal.

The whole of Ireland felt there should be a replay. But the people of Meath didn't see it that way - a win was a win.