Larry Tompkins: Meath nearly broke me but Fergie and Man United started the healing process

Before Cork’s 1990 double there was the pain – both physical and mental – of dealing with Meath. In his just-published autobiography, Larry Tompkins delves into the tears and torment inflicted on Cork by the Royals – and how it helped Cork come out the other side as All-Ireland champions.

All Ireland Football Final Cork vs Meath 1988 A fight breaks out as the referee restrains Gerry McEntee of Meath. McEntee was later sent off. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

We got a great start to the 1988 All-Ireland final against Meath.

I was doing okay physically but then a ball broke around the middle and I felt the hamstring go. I headed for the sideline to tell Billy I was gone, but before I got my words out, Billy was roaring at me to swap with Teddy.