THE CHANCES of Meath scoring only one point in the first half of Sunday's clash with Mayo seem very slight indeed, yet that is what happened when Meath met Cork in the All Ireland final of 1967. Neither can Mayo be expected to limit themselves to a mere four points, as was the case with Cork on that occasion.

Within six minutes of the second half, Meath surged into the lead and were never headed subsequently.

In his report of the match in The Irish Times, Paddy Downey wrote: "Their second half transformation was so unexpected that it seems incredible. Nevertheless it was a rally which for grit and guts and spirit surpassed anything I have seen in a final".

Two of the players who figured prominently for Meath in that match, Jack Quinn and Mattie Kerrigan, still look young enough to step into the fray if needed. Mind you, a few sessions with Sean Boylan and a slug of his herbal remedies might be required.

Over a few glasses of equally potent liquid, the two were more than willing to discuss Meath's chances in Sunday's match and the state of the game in general when brought together in Quinn's pub, Teach Scorlog, near Trim, earlier, this week.

Kerrigan was crucially involved in the only goal of the match which turned the tide in Meath's favour. Having moved to midfield to escape the clutches of Cork's Denis Cqughlan, Kerrigan floated the ball into space behind the Cork back line, six minutes into the second half. Terry Kearns and Cork goalkeeper Billy Morgan contested the dropping ball, with Kearns getting the first touch to fist it to the net. Meath went on to win by 1-9 to 0-9.

Memories of that day are precious, but Jack Quinn reflects more on what might have been. He regrets losses to Galway in the final of 1966 and to Kerry in 1970. On the latter occasion he was Meath's captain.

Both men believe that while the modern game is perceived to faster that may not be the case. Asked he players of an earlier era would survive in the modern game, Kerrigan throws the question back in the questioner's face. "We were every bit as fit and as fast. The question should be whether or not the present day players would have survived with us".

His 1967 team mate agrees. "There's a lot of whining and crying today," says Quinn. "There may be more emphasis on coaching and on a carrying game, but the long kicking game meant that the ball was doing the travelling rather than the players. In that respect, it was faster.

"I think there have been too many changes in the rules. I wouldn't curb the solo run as some people are suggesting. I wouldn't change the handpass either. I don't think it is good for any game to be changing the rules on a regular basis. I would give more powers to the linesmen and the umpires to deal with any problems," Quinn says.

Insofar as Sunday's match is concerned both believe strongly that Meath will have to reproduce their form against Tyrone if they are to win. "There is not doubt in my mind that Mayo will be a totally different proposition from Tyrone. John Maughan did wonders with Clare and now he has really revived great spirit in Mayo. He and Sean Boylan must be two of the shrewdest men in the game.

"This is a very difficult match to forecast. The spirit here in Meath is great. The people here believe in themselves. It isn't true to say that football in Meath is tougher than in any other county.

"The club game here is no harder than in many other counties, but the game means a lot to players and to supporters alike. Everybody is aware that Mayo beat us in 1951 and people always mention that the Meath players had been inoculated prior to a trip to America in the week before the match. People have long memories around here.

"We know very well that Mayo people are every bit as determined as we are. They have no doubts about their ability and it won't be easy for anybody. Meath will have to pull out something special. Many people were quite surprised with the form of the team this year.

"They struggled at times against Carlow, Laois and Dublin, hut really played, well against Tyrone. They'll have to doe the same again. Mayo know what to expect and it promises to be a great match."

Quinn and Kerrigan are rivals on the club scheme - Kilbride and Summerhill - but are close friends who like to indulge in friendly banter. Kerrigan recalls a heated argument in Quinn's pub one night about events in the north when during the discussion one of those involved posed the question to Quinn: "Do you support violence?". Another man in the discussion interrupted: "What do you mean. Didn't he play for Kilbride!".

The fierce interest and pride in Meath football is epitomised in a story recalled, by the two men in regard to the Meath horse trainer, Noel Meade. He is a financial supporter of the team and the story goes that after a Meade horse had wont an important race the trainer was approached by an English journalist who asked Meade to recall his greatest sporting moment. "Foley's goal!," came the reply.

It took a little time to explain that Foley's goal was the turning point in the Meath/Dublin Leinster championship, saga of 1991 and not the name of a horse. Meath people, even horse trainers, know where their priorities lie.