Royal Blood

Three times All-Ireland winner, Martin O'Connell was crowned the prince of wing backs in 2000 when he was selected on the GAA's Team of the Millennium, and had a postage stamp issued in his honour.

This honour also stamped O'Connell's name down in Meath football history as the greatest of the greats.

As a Meath footballer, O'Connell truly had Royal Blood. He was a central player on Sean Boylan's 1987 and 88 All-Ireland winning teams, and then remained with Boylan to win a third All-Ireland in 1996 in an infamous replayed final against Mayo.

Now, O'Connell reveals the inside story of those battling years, and explains how it might never have happened after he quit the Meath team in the mid 80s. But his love of the game brought him back.

In addition to his three All-Irelands, Martin O'Connell won six Leinster titles and three National league titles and in 1996 was named Footballer of the Year. After retiring from the Meath team he continued playing football with St Michael's, his club and his first love in fotball, until he was 42 years old.