Royal run to last four could not have been foreseen

Galway’s taxing schedule is well documented. Tired bodies and tired minds were not the root cause of this unexpected exit.

Jordan Morris scored 1-6 for Meath in the victory over Galway. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Meath 2-16 (2-0-16) Galway 2-15 (2-2-11)

Promotion from the League’s second division was beyond Meath, Louth denying them top-tier membership on the final day. Little has been beyond them since. Dublin, Kerry, and Galway have all been bettered and stunned in this unforeseen Royal run to the second last weekend of the championship. They have been and continue to be the summer’s brilliant bolter.