Meath mourns passing of Gilsenan

Meath lost one of its football legends over the weekend with the passing of Mattie Gilsenan, aged 97, who captained the Royal county in the 1939 All-Ireland senior final against Kerry.

Gilsenan from Moynalty, near the Cavan border, started right half-forward in Meath’s first appearance in the Sam Maguire decider and scored one of his side’s goals but Kerry won by 2-5 to 2-3.

In 1940 Mattie became Meath’s first Railway Cup winning captain when Leinster decisively defeated a Munster side made up entirely of Kerry players in the final.

After his playing days Gilsenan enjoyed remarkable success as a selector, a role he filled for 11 of Meath’s 21 Leinster SFC title triumphs.