Here’s one time-buying, face-saving solution

LET Meath march on as Leinster champions, and Louth as runners-up — and, later in the year, when the dust has settled, replay the Leinster final as a standalone fixture.

This time-buying, face-saving solution could take the heat out of the current impasse, and still ensure the Leinster cup eventually goes to its rightful home.

It would give Louth and Meath certainty as to their immediate movements and allow them to focus on the biggest prize of all, the Sam Maguire Cup.

After both teams conclude their interest in the All-Ireland series — perhaps with one of them lifting the cup — a shoot-out in Leinster would be a mouthwatering prospect.

Meath would be seen to offer the grand gesture without denting their All-Ireland aspirations in any way.

Louth would get their second chance to write their name into the history books as the county’s first Leinster champions since 1957.

The only other proviso is that admission to the game be half last Sunday’s price, or perhaps the fixture could be put on with another game — the All-Ireland ladies football final, hot on the heels of the All-Ireland men’s final, is an obvious spot in the calendar.

To the victor, the spoils. Of course, if it were to come to pass that Louth or Meath had already been crowned All-Ireland champions, what magical possibilities.

There is also the chance that Louth and Meath could play in the All-Ireland final. In which case, they might even agree to play for both titles on All-Ireland final Sunday. There may be no limit to this drama yet.