2023 Tailteann Cup final

{{GAAmatchbox collapsible

| bg=#cfc

| date = 13 May 2023

| time = 18:30 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Group stage

| report = https://www.gaa.ie/football/news/tailteann-cup-meath-defeat-tipperary/

| team1 = Meath File:Colours of Meath GAA.svg

| score1 = 1–19

| score2 = 0–11

| team2 = File:Colours of Longford GAA.svg Tipperary

| goals1 = Aaron Lynch 1

| points1 = Aaron Lynch 3 (1f, 1m), Jordan Morris 4, Matthew Costello 3 (2f), Thomas O'Reilly 3, Jack O'Connor 2, Jack Flynn 1 (1f), Conor Gray 1, Donal Keogan 1, Donal Lenihan 1

| points2 = Jack Kennedy 3 (2 '45), Michael O'Reilly 2 (1f, 1 '45), Steven O'Brien 2 (1m), Mark Russell 2 (0–1f), Liam McGrath 1, Colman Kennedy 1

| stadium = Páirc Tailteann

| location = Navan

| attendance =

| referee = Brendan Griffin

}}{{GAAmatchbox collapsible| bg=#cfc

| date = 20 May 2023

| time = 18:30 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Group stage

| report = https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/meath-ease-past-waterford-to-claim-second-tailteann-cup-win/a1402848144.html

| team1 = Waterford File:Colours of Waterford.svg

| score1 = 1–14 |score2=3–17

| team2 = File:Colours of Meath GAA.svg Meath

| goals1 = Darragh Corcoran 0–8 (0–7f), Jason Curry 1–0, Conor Murray 0–2, Dermot Ryan 0–2, Tom O'Connell 0–1 (0–1f), Jordan O'Sullivan 0–1

| goals2 = Matthew Costello 1–5 (0–3f), Aaron Lynch 0–6 (0–2f), Donal Lenihan 1–2 (0–1f, 0–1m), Jordan Morris 1–2 (0–1m), Eoghan Frayne 0–1, James McEntee 0–1

| stadium = Fraher Field

| location = Dungarvan

| attendance =

| referee = Sean Lonergan

}}

{{GAAmatchbox collapsible| bg=#cfc

| date = 3 June 2023

| time = 13:00 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Group stage

| report = https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0603/1387259-meath-top-group-after-wide-strewn-win-over-down/

| team1 = Meath File:Colours of Meath GAA.svg

| score1 = 1–11

|score2=1–9

| team2 = File:Colours of Down.svg Down

| goals1 = Jordan Morris 1–3 (1–0 pen, 0–1m), Daithi McGowan 0–2 (0–1f, 0–1 '45), James McEntee 0–2, Jack Flynn 0–1 (0–1f), Donal Lenihan 0–1 (0–1f), Jack O'Connor 0–1, Matthew Costello 0–1

| goals2 = Pat Havern 0–5 (0–5f), Odhran Murdock 1–0, Liam Kerr 0–2 (0–1f), Niall Kane 0–1 (0–1 '45), Daniel Guinness 0–1

| stadium = Parnell Park

| location = Dublin

| attendance =

| referee = Fergal Kelly

}}{{GAAmatchbox collapsible

| bg=#cfc

| date = 17 June 2023

| time = 16:00 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Quarter-final

| report = https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0617/1389690-meath-storm-past-wexford-to-make-tailteann-semi-finals/

| team1 = Meath File:Colours of Meath GAA.svg

| score1 = 2–23

| score2 = 0–12

| team2 = File:Colours of Wexford.svg Wexford

| goals1 = Aaron Lynch 1, Cathal Hickey 1

| points1 = Jordan Morris 6 (1m), James McEntee 6, Aaron Lynch 2, Matthew Costello 4 (2f), Daithi McGowan 3, Jack Flynn 1, Eoghan Frayne 1

| points2 = Mark Rossiter 2 (2f), Ben Brosnan 2 (2f), Eoghan Nolan 2, Eoin Porter 1, Glen Malone 1, Liam Coleman 1, Paraic Hughes 1, Richard Waters 1, Jonathan Bealin 1

| stadium = Páirc Tailteann

| location = Navan

| attendance =

| referee = Brendan Griffin

}}

{{GAAmatchbox collapsible

| bg=#cfc

| date = 25 June 2023

| time = 14:00 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Semi-final

| report = https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0625/1391026-meath-hold-off-antrim-to-make-tailteann-cup-final/

| team1 = Meath File:Colours of Meath GAA.svg

| score1 = 2–16

| score2 = 2–14

| team2 = File:Colours of Antrim.svg Antrim

| goals1 = Jordan Morris 1, Aaron Lynch 1

| points1 = Sean Brennan; Adam O'Neill, Ronan Ryan, Harry O'Higgins; Donal Keogan, Padraic Harnan, Sean Coffey; Jack Flynn 2, Conor Gray 1; Jack O'Connor 1, James McEntee 1, Cathal Hickey 1; Jordan Morris 4, Mathew Costello 4, 1f, Aaron Lynch 2, 1m

| goals2 = Patrick McBride 1, Dominic McEnhill 1 pen

| points2 = Michael Byrne 2 (1f, 1 '45); Ronan Boyle, Peter Healy, Eoghan McCabe; Patrick McCormick, Declan Lynch, Dermot McAleese 2; Cathal Hynds, Joseph Finnegan; Ruairi McCann (Creggan) 1, Adam Loughran 3, Marc Jordan; Patrick McBride 1, Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) 1, Dominic McEnhill 3 (2f)

| stadium = Croke Park

| location = Dublin

| attendance =

| referee = Barry Judge

}}

{{GAAmatchbox collapsible

| bg=#cfc

| date = 13 May 2023

| time = 18:00 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Group stage

| report = https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0513/1383384-lavertys-down-outgun-waterford-despite-slow-start/

| team1 = Down File:Colours of Down.svg

| score1 = 2–14|score2= 1–6

| team2 = File:Colours of Waterford.svg Waterford

| goals1 = Pat Havern 0–5 (0–2f, 0–1m), Andrew Gilmore 0–4 (0–2f), Eamon Brown 1–0, Odhran Murdock 1–0, Donagh McAleenan 0–2, Anthony Morgan 0–1, Shealan Johnston 0–1, Eugene Branagan 0–1

| goals2 = Conor Murray 1–0, Jason Curry 0–2 (0–2f), Darragh Corcoran 0–2, Jason Gleeson 0–1 (0–1f), Dermot Ryan 0–1

| stadium = Páirc Esler

| location = Newry

| attendance =

| referee = Barry Cassidy

}}

{{GAAmatchbox collapsible

| bg=#cfc

| date = 21 May 2023

| time = 13:45 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Group stage

| report = https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0521/1384808-down-crush-tipperary-to-guarantee-place-in-next-round/

| team1 = Tipperary File:Colours of Longford GAA.svg

| score1 = 0–6|score2=2–18

| team2 = File:Colours of Down.svg Down

| goals1 = Jack Kennedy 0–4 (0–1f), Sean O'Connor 0–2

| goals2 = Pat Havern 0–6 (0–5f), Shealan Johnston 1–1 (0–1f), Odhran Murdock 1–0, Danny Magill 0–3, Eamon Brown 0–2 (0–2f), Ceilum Doherty 0–2, Andrew Gilmore 0–1 (0–1f), Conor Francis 0–1, Ryan Johnston 0–1, Ross Carr 0–1

| stadium = FBD Semple Stadium

| location = Thurles

| attendance =

| referee = Thomas Murphy

}}

{{GAAmatchbox collapsible

| bg=#fcc

| date = 3 June 2023

| time = 13:00 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Group stage

| report = https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0603/1387259-meath-top-group-after-wide-strewn-win-over-down/

| team1 = Meath File:Colours of Meath GAA.svg

| score1 = 1–11|score2=1–9

| team2 = File:Colours of Down.svg Down

| goals1 = Jordan Morris 1–3 (1–0 pen, 0–1m), Daithi McGowan 0–2 (0–1f, 0–1 '45), James McEntee 0–2, Jack Flynn 0–1 (0–1f), Donal Lenihan 0–1 (0–1f), Jack O'Connor 0–1, Matthew Costello 0–1

| goals2 = Pat Havern 0–5 (0–5f), Odhran Murdock 1–0, Liam Kerr 0–2 (0–1f), Niall Kane 0–1 (0–1 '45), Daniel Guinness 0–1

| stadium = Parnell Park

| location = Dublin

| attendance =

| referee = Fergal Kelly

}}

{{GAAmatchbox collapsible

| bg=#cfc

| date = 10 June 2023

| time = 19:00 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Preliminary quarter-final

| report = https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0610/1388439-down-up-the-gears-to-march-into-last-eight/

| team1 = Down File:Colours of Down.svg

| score1 = 1–20

| score2 =1–12

| team2 = File:Colours of Longford GAA.svg Longford

| goals1 = Danny Magill 1

| points1 = Pat Havern 6 (2f), Rory Mason 3 (0–2f), Andrew Gilmore 3 (1f), Ross Carr 2 (1m), Eugene Branagan 2, Patrick McCarthy 1, Ceilum Doherty 1, Donagh McAleenan 1, Liam Kerr 1

| goals2 = Joe Hagan 1

| points2 = Joe Hagan 3, Dylan Farrell 2 (1f, 1 '45), Darragh Doherty 2 (1m), Keelin McGann 2, Patrick Fox 1, Ryan Moffett 1, Dessie Reynolds 1

| stadium = Páirc Esler

| location = Newry

| attendance =

| referee = Anthony Nolan

}}

{{GAAmatchbox collapsible

| bg=#cfc

| date = 17 June 2023

| time = 17:15 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Quarter-final

| report = https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0617/1389691-down-deliver-against-cavan-to-reach-tailteann-cup-semis/

| team1 = Cavan File:Colours of Cavan.svg

| score1 = 0–15

| score2 = 1–17

| team2 = File:Colours of Down.svg Down

| points1 = Oisin Brady 8 (4f, 2m), Padraig Faulkner 2, Gearóid McKiernan 1 (1f), Oisín Kiernan 1, Cian Madden 1, Tiarnan Madden 1, Brandon Boylan 1

| goals2 = Danny Magill 1

| points2 = Pat Havern 5 (2f, 1m), Rory Mason 4 (1f), Liam Kerr 4, Danny Magill 1, Patrick McCarthy 1, Ryan Johnston 1, Shane Annett 1

| stadium = Kingspan Breffni

| location = Cavan

| attendance =

| referee = Seamus Mulhare

}}

{{GAAmatchbox collapsible

| bg=#cfc

| date = 25 June 2023

| time = 16:00 IST (UTC+1)

| round = Semi-final

| report =

| team1 = Down File:Colours of Down.svg

| score1 = 8–16

| score2 = 2–12

| team2 = File:Colours of Laois.svg Laois

| goals1 = Danny Magill 2, Pat Havern 1, Liam Kerr 3, Rory Mason 1, Odhrán Murdock 1

| points1 = Niall Kane 1 ('45); Míceal Rooney, Ceilum Doherty 2 (1m); Daniel Guinness, Pat Havern 3; Liam Kerr 2, Ryan Johnston 1, Eugene Branagan 3; Rory Mason 1 (1f); Odhrán Murdock 1, Shealan Johnston

| goals2 = Mark Barry 2 (1 pen)

| points2 = Killian Roche 1 ('45); Trevor Collins, Robert Pigott, Seán Greene; Pádraig Kirwan, Mark Timmons, Patrick O’Sullivan; Kieran Lillis, Damon Larkin; James Finn, Paul Kingston 1, Mark Barry 6 (4f, 1m); Evan O'Carroll 1; Eoin Lowry 2 (1m), Colm Murphy

| stadium = Croke Park

| location = Dublin

| attendance =

| referee = Barry Tiernan

}}

As the match was played prior to the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final between Dublin and Monaghan, the demand for tickets for the final was high. Some Meath fans expressed their frustrations online at their inability to get a ticket through general release.{{cite news|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2023/07/05/lack-of-tickets-for-tailteann-cup-final-deemed-a-disgrace/|title=Lack of tickets for Tailteann Cup final deemed 'a disgrace'|publisher=Meath Chronicle|first=Jimmy|last=Geoghegan|date=5 July 2023|accessdate=17 July 2023}}

On 7 July, Cavan's Noel Mooney was named as referee for the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.gaa.ie/football/news/referees-appointed-for-all-ireland-sfc-semi-finals-and-tailteann-cup-final/|title=Referees appointed for All-Ireland SFC Semi-Finals and Tailteann Cup Final|website=GAA.ie|date=7 July 2023|accessdate=17 July 2023}}

Down started much the brighter of the two, their eagerness to get the game going reflected in a four points to one lead, but a fortuitous Meath goal on 17 minutes changed the complexion of the game. Jack Flynn lobbed a shot in from distance with a point in mind, but the ball pounded off the upright and dropped in front of goal where it deflected off Ronan Jones and into the net.

Matthew Costello's second pointed free for Meath left them a point ahead approaching the interval but Liam Kerr levelled it up at 1–3 to 0–6 when he blasted over a great goal chance for Down. Down were reduced to 14 in the 29th minute when Ceilum Doherty was shown a black card for a pull down.

Back to back points from Down goalkeeper Niall Kane amounted to a solid start to the second-half for the favourites, but Cathal Hickey and Jones cancelled those scores out and Jack O'Connor, who was only on as a sub, put Meath into a 1–6 to 0–8 lead.

Flynn was the Man of the Match who nudged Meath to victory with four more terrific scores for the Royals, all coming in a crucial period around the hour mark as they set the seal on victory. O'Connor snatched Meath's second goal in the dying moments after a turnover in the Down defence, summing up the excellent work of the Meath backs.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0715/1394685-meath-come-good-in-second-half-to-land-tailteann-cup/|title=Meath come good in second half to land Tailteann Cup|publisher=RTÉ News|first=Elaine|last=Ingram|date=15 July 2023|accessdate=16 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41184463.html|title=Meath overcome wasteful Down to secure Tailteann Cup glory|publisher=Irish Examiner|first=Brendan|last=O'Brien|date=15 July 2023|accessdate=16 July 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gaa.ie/football/news/tailteann-cup-final-flynn-inspires-meath/|title=Tailteann Cup Final: Flynn inspires Meath|website=GAA.ie|first=Paul|last=Keane|date=15 July 2023|accessdate=16 July 2023}}

{{football box

| date = 15 July 2023

| time = 15:00 IST (UTC+1)

| report = https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41184463.html

| team1 = Down File:Colours of Down.svg

| score = 0–14 – 2–13

| team2 = File:Colours of Meath GAA.svg Meath

| goals1 = Pat Havern 0–4 (0–3f), Niall Kane 0–2 (0–1f, 0–1 '45), Liam Kerr 0–2, Ryan Johnston 0–2, Ceilum Doherty 0–1, Odhran Murdock 0–1, Shealan Johnston 0–1, Andrew Gilmore 0–1

| goals2 = Jack O'Connor 1–2, Jack Flynn 0–4, Ronan Jones 1–1, Matthew Costello 0–3 (0–2f), Cathal Hickey 0–2, Jordan Morris 0–1

| stadium = Croke Park

| location = Dublin

| attendance =

| referee = Noel Mooney (Cavan)

}}

width=92% |

{{Football kit | pattern_la = | pattern_b = _down23 | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = _oneills20onblack | pattern_so = | leftarm = 000000 | body = ff0000 | rightarm = 000000 | shorts = ff0000 | socks = 000000 | title = Down }} |{{Football kit | pattern_la = _oneillsgold | pattern_b = _meath22 | pattern_ra = _oneillsgold | pattern_sh = _oneills20onwhite | pattern_so = _3_stripes_gold | leftarm = 007000 | body = 007000 | rightarm = 007000 | shorts = 007000 | socks = 007000 | title = Meath }}

style="width:100%;"
style="vertical-align:top; width:50%"| {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
width="25"|
1	Niall Kane
2	Patrick McCarthy		{{suboff|60}}
3	Pierce Laverty (c)
4	Anthony Doherty	{{yel|70+4}}
5	Miceal Rooney
6	Ceilum Doherty	File:Blackcard.png {{small|29' to 39'}}
7	Danny Magill		{{suboff|59}}
8	Daniel Guinness		{{suboff|63}}
9	Odhran Murdock
10	Shealan Johnston		{{suboff|56}}
11	Liam Kerr
12	Rory Mason		{{suboff|43}}
13	Eugene Branagan
14	Pat Havern
15	Ryan Johnston
colspan=3|Substitutes:
16	John O'Hare
17	Shane Annett		{{subon|43}}
18	Ryan McEvoy		{{subon|63}}
19	Ross Carr
20	Patrick Branagan		{{subon|60}}
21	Donagh McAleenan		{{subon|56}}
22	Gerard Collins
23	Andrew Gilmore		{{subon|59}}
24	Conor Poland
25	Peter Fegan
26	Ryan Magill
colspan=3| Manager:
colspan="4"|Conor Laverty

|style="vertical-align:top; width:50%"|

cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
width="25"|
1	Seán Brennan
2	Adam O'Neill
3	Ronan Ryan
17	Ciaran Caulfield		{{suboff|57}}
5	Donal Keogan (c)
6	Padraic Harnan
7	Sean Coffey
8	Ronan Jones	{{yel|25}}
9	Conor Gray
19	Cathal Hickey	{{yel|40}}	{{suboff|69}}
11	James McEntee		{{suboff|53}}
20	Jack Flynn
13	Jordan Morris		{{suboff|66}}
14	Mathew Costello
15	Aaron Lynch		{{suboff|47}}
colspan=3|Substitutes:
16	Harry Hogan
4	Harry O'Higgins		{{subon|57}}
10	Daithí McGowan		{{subon|69}}
12	Jack O'Connor		{{subon|47}}
18	Cillian O'Sullivan		{{subon|53}}
21	Eoghan Frayne
22	Michael Flood
23	Donal Lenihan		{{subon|66}}
24	Diarmuid Moriarty
25	Keith Curtis
26	Ben Wyer
colspan=3| Manager:
colspan="4"|Colm O'Rourke

|}

width=100% style="font-size: 100%" | Man of the Match: Jack Flynn (Meath)

Meath captain Donal Keogan accepted the Tailteann Cup from GAA president Larry McCarthy in the Hogan Stand.{{cite news|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2023/07/15/stunning-second-half-clinches-tailteann-cup-for-magnificent-meath/|title=Stunning second-half clinches Tailteann Cup for magnificent Meath|publisher=Meath Chronicle|first=Fergal|last=Lynch|date=15 July 2023|accessdate=17 July 2023}}

Huge crowds turned out for a homecoming event on 17 July in Páirc Tailteann, Navan from 7:30pm to welcome home the Tailteann Cup and the winning team, with supporters being urged to turn out wearing their green and gold.{{cite news|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2023/07/16/huge-crowd-expected-for-royal-homecoming/|title=Huge crowd expected for Royal homecoming|publisher=Meath Chronicle|first=Fergal|last=Lynch|date=16 July 2023|accessdate=17 July 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lmfm.ie/news/lmfm-news/homecoming-organised-for-tailteann-cup-winning-meath-team/|title=Homecoming organised for Tailteann Cup-winning Meath team|website=LMFM|first=Marc|last=O'Driscoll|date=16 July 2023|accessdate=17 July 2023}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Tailteann Cup}}

{{GAA 2023}}

{{Down county football team matches}}

{{Meath county football team matches}}

Category:2023 in Gaelic football

Tailteann Cup

Category:Meath county football team matches

Category:Down county football team matches

Category:Tailteann Cup