SEAN BOYLAN is set to remain on for another year as manager of All Ireland champions Meath. It is believed that Boylan informed his players of his intentions yesterday but his decision will not be made public until the county board meets in Navan tonight.

Meanwhile back at the competitive ranch a National League match with Cavan at Navan yesterday. The spirit and resolve by both teams delighted the 10,000 crowd. Meath, still celebrating their All Ireland success, would have relished an easier time but the hunger, fitness and panache of a resilient Cavan was met head on by the determined champions.

The result was an absorbing match of end to end fare in which football standards tended to overcome the unfavourable conditions.

Full marks to Cavan for a battling performance garnished by two second half goals by lanky full forward Finbar Crowe.

Crowe's well taken scores threw a real spanner in Meath's works and resulted in the champions struggling for a match equalising point, finally secured by Jimmy McGuinness.

It was the second time that Meath had to come from behind. This was due to Crowe's opportunism and the home side's poor finishing. Newcomer Donal Curtis, from junior club Rathkenny, had supplied an equalising point midway through the second half after Crowe's second goal. He scored following fancy work by Michael Graham and Jason Reilly 10 minutes into the second half.

The face saving score for the champions who started with 11 of their All Ireland line up came in the 58 minute and was set up by Tommy Dowd for late call up McGuinness (Trevor Giles was resting).

Usually dependable Meath attackers like Graham Geraghty and Jody Devine were among the culprits who contributed to a total of 17 Meath wides. This compared with seven for Cavan.

Cavan were also fortunate to see Ronan Carolan in such splendid place kicking form. He pointed five in all, including two excellent scores from 50 yards and beyond in the last quarter.

Meath could not have asked for a better start - Jimmy McGuinness put the champions a goal up in seven minutes from the penalty spot after Graham Geraghty was fouled. Tommy Dowd switched with full forward Jody Devine but often suffered for want of better quality ball. Donal Curtis was drafted in as a wing back but soon swopped with corner forward Colm Brady, with McGuinness alternating between half forward and the full forward line.

A spate of wides precluded Meath's chances of taking full advantage of the diagonally blowing wind and good midfield possession.

Thus, they had to be content with a mere two points advantage at half time, 1-3 to 0-4.

Geraghty was the biggest culprit with a wide from 12 yards early in the second half and just after he had fed Tommy Dowd to stretch Meath's lead to three points.

Crowe rocked the home side's composure with his first goal four minutes into the second half. Jason Reilly square passed to Peter Reilly 50 yards out, who found Crowe on the right. The strong Cavan man turned well to score and put the teams on level terms.

Meath's response was impressive, with Cahill and Dowd hitting good points from play within a couple of minutes.

But Jason Reilly set up Crowe for his second goal which put the Ulstermen 2-4 to 1-6 ahead 10 minutes into the second half.

The competitiveness of the encounter could not have been easy for Meath in the wake of their strenuous All Ireland campaign but they rose to the challenge admirably and kept Cavan scoreless for the last 10 minutes of an enthralling game.