It was only after John McDermott's hiatus that people began to comment on the qualities of Nigel Crawford. The young Dunboyne defender emerged ahead of Meath's 1999 All-Ireland title run as a perfect understudy to perhaps the midfielder of the decade.

The announcement of McDermott's retirement, midway through Meath's depressingly flat league campaign suddenly prompted a dramatic shift in Crawford's role. The 22-year old became, overnight, the leader of the Meath central axis.

"I suppose I did have to assume a bit more responsibility - it was the first time Meath played without John at centrefield for a very long time. It was not a case of me doing anything different than the entire team had to react to his absence."

The successful coaxing of McDermott back to top-flight football has been crucial to Meath's slow-burning ascent towards another All-Ireland final and the player himself has displayed an incredible rate of improvement. But there has been a shift in dynamism, with Crawford nothing less than brilliant in the series of Westmeath games. They are on an equal footing now.

"I started off very young - came into the team for the '99 championship and ended up with an All-Ireland. John was a brilliant midfield partner to have then and to be honest, I feel as if I am still learning from him. We enjoy playing together but I mean, I have lined out with Nigel Nestor too and the same is true."

At the time, news of McDermott's return smacked of worry in the camp. Seβn Boylan had gone on record to say he was concerned about the lack of life the team had displayed and there was a perception the edge might have left them.

"His return had many benefits. For a start, it left Nigel Nestor free to play in different positions and enhanced our options. Then, bringing in a fellow of his calibre and experience gave us a lift. I think we were a bit flat at the start of the year and his return gave us that injection."

The partnership was never so effective as against Kerry, when the pair utterly overshadowed the proven championship duo. "I really think that was just a freak game," says Crawford.

"It wasn't particularly enjoyable to play in - I was marking Darragh ╙ SΘ so I had plenty to do myself. And with the respect we have for Kerry, we were never going to drop our guard. They got nothing at all - every breaking ball fell to a Meath man, everything we threw a leg at went over the bar."

He rejects the notion Meath achieved a state of perfection that afternoon and are unlikely to recapture such form against Galway.

"Well, I kicked one ball straight to the 'keeper against Kerry and another wide so there's two things I can improve on straight off. We really feel we will have to raise our game to compete with Galway."

He says the specifics of the final had not been discussed yet but the likelihood is that he will mark Michael Donnellan. Crawford played Sigerson with John Divilly, Derek Savage and Declan Meehan and has played against a few of the other Galway third-level men.

"We really haven't thought about who we will be on. Galway have such an adaptable midfield, with Joe Bergin able to slot in and Seβn ╙ Domhnaill also. One of their assets is their strength in depth. If we sat up thinking about Galway's ability we wouldn't be able to sleep. We are better off concentrating on trying to get our side of things right."

Nigel Crawfor

Age: 21

Height: 6ft 4ins

Weight: 15 stone

Honours: All-Ireland SFC 1999, Leinster SFC 1999, 2001

Occupation: Student