Meath...2-9 Offaly...0-10: Word is spreading fast - that Meath are on the rise again, that things almost seem fated to come together, that after 22 years Seán Boylan hasn't yet run out of ideas. That's what happens when you play good football in January.
It might be loaded with hyperbole, but something is definitely happening here. A hard game in Navan yesterday ended with Meath on a high, and the new guys had stolen the show. New forwards, new defenders, new goalkeeper. Offaly had chances but not the same will to win.
And if it does prove to be Boylan's farewell season then roll on destiny. The first thing he ever did for Meath football was win the O'Byrne Cup in 1983, and now he's one game away from winning it again. So it's to Westmeath next Sunday, and come early.
This was an intriguing game for several reasons - not discounting the 11 mostly pointless yellow cards shown by Laois referee Maurice Deegan.
Meath often struggled to hold possession, but during spells of attack were fairly awesome.
Offaly played hard and glowed with potential but ultimately were disappointing.
But what really has people talking in Meath again was the performance of the young corner forwards Brian Farrell and Joe Sheridan. Like last week against Longford, they delivered controlled and confident displays, if anything taking them up a gear.
Farrell shot two beautiful points and Sheridan played a part in both goals, scoring the first from a penalty and setting up the second for Shane McKeigue.
Tom O'Connor, the other minor from two years back, had another solid game at centre back, and Stephen Mac Gabhann has also settled well at corner back.
And all eyes were on goalkeeper David Gallagher now that Cormac Sullivan has confirmed he won't be part of the Meath panel this season. Well, Gallagher was faultless, controlling his area with remarkable calm, and he included one superb save from Niall McNamee.
With Darren Fay typically forceful in a new midfield role and Ray Magee shining at wing forward, Meath were deserving winners. They led most of the first half - turned around all square - and outscored Offaly 1-5 to 0-3 in the second half.
Afterwards Boylan was found in his finest form: "Overall I'd be quite pleased again with the way things went. I felt that was a good Offaly team, very spirited, so our lads showed a lot of responsibility, and battled hard.
"And it's fantastic to see the lads coming through, like Brian and Joe. They're going well, and they're putting in a great effort. But they're also showing a great presence.
"That was another good test for them and they've come through very well."
New Offaly manager Gerry Fahey is on a fast learning curve with his team, and has come away with some useful lessons. Like Boylan, he has two talented forwards, Niall McNamee and Thomas Deehan, but they didn't quite click as he'd have liked.
McNamee converted four frees but sent as many wide. Deehan wasn't always in command but hit three memorable points that indicated his potential.
Others, like Neville Coughlan, Pascal Kellaghan and Ciarán McManus, have had better games, and a little less wastage - including a potential 1-2 early in the second half - would have left Offaly much closer at the finish.
The first-half penalty also unsettled them, another bizarre call from the referee. But still, there is much to build on.
For now though Meath are clearly a step ahead, and rising again to new challenges.
"We'll give it a fair crack next Sunday," added Boylan. "It's there to be won now, and should put us on a good footing for the league no matter what happens."
MEATH: D Gallagher; S Mac Gabhann, A Moyles, D Curtis; H Traynor, T O'Connor, S Kenny; N Crawford (0-1), D Fay; R Magee (0-2, a sideline, a free), S McKeigue (1-1), A Kenny (0-1); B Farrell (0-2), N Kelly, J Sheridan (1-1). Subs: C Murphy for Traynor (half-time), E Kelly for N Kelly (41 mins), M Ward for O'Connor, B Dillon (0-1) for Kenny (both 56), J Cullinane for Farrell (68).
OFFALY: C McNamara; B Mooney, C Daly, J Hurst; M Mitchell, G Rafferty, K Slattery; M Daly, C McManus; C Farrell (0-1), P Kellaghan, B Malone; N McNamee (0-5, four frees), N Coughlan (0-1), T Deehan (0-3). Subs: S Brady for Hurst (24 mins), J Coughlan for Malone (42 mins), J Reynolds for Farrell (46), C Evans for Mitchell (63), J Quinn for Mooney (70).
Referee: M Deegan (Laois).
