Meath manager Robbie Brennan said the conditioning of his team was key to their pulsating All-Ireland SFC quarter-final victory over Galway at Croke Park.
The Royal County marched into the last four of the championship for the first time since 2009 thanks to a display full of verve, guts and skill.
It was also infused with remarkable energy as Brennan's men refused to wilt after Galway turned a six-point deficit into a three-point lead with 56th and 60th-minute goals from Cillian McDaid and Liam Silke.
Afterwards, Brennan could not contain his delight.
When asked what pleased him most about Meath's performance, he told RTÉ Sport: "The work rate. Our S&C team David Drake and Phil Campbell put in ridiculous work with this group. We knew we could run all day here, whatever the temperature was we could keep going.
"Last time we were in here (for the Leinster final against Louth) it didn't go too well for us, we were on the other end of the scoreline losing by two. We swore we'd get back here this year and we did.
"The noise is just incredible, and I'd say the Leinster final stood to us in that experience as well. A few people probably cancelled holidays, I'm not too sure they planned for us to be at this stage of the season. There might have to be a few refunds, but I'm delighted we're there and that's the next step for us.
"I'm just so proud of the lads. That's not easy, that's a really good Galway team. A lot of work done and we executed most of it today. It was a point in the end, right down to the wire - phenomenal, phenomenal."
Man of the match Jordan Morris scored 1-06 at Croker, including a crucial goal in the closing stages to swing the game Meath's way.
As the supporters basked in the glory of a terrific victory, Morris hailed his teammates' collective resilience.
"I think emotions are fairly high at the minute," said Morris.
"We're probably the only group in the country that thought we could make it this far so we're going to keep pushing on now.
"It's something we've been working on, trying to control the game in second half a bit. Galway got a bit of a run at us and we clawed it back so it just shows good fighting spirit with the young lads here.
"It's unbelievable... the stuff of dreams here, absolutely everything you want. No feeling can decribe this.
"We're relishing every week we get to train together, play together. Another week under the belt now, let's hope we push on."
"The stuff of dreams"
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 29, 2025
Meath's Man of the Match Jordan Morris reacts to victory over Galway
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For opposite number Pádraic Joyce, there was a sense of frustration that they couldn't see the game out after that nine-point swing in the middle of the second half.
The Tribesmen reached two finals in three seasons and were some people's fancy to win the ultimate prize next month.
But instead, it's a championship exit at the last eight stage, and before the end of June.
"Disappointed to lose the game," he told RTÉ Sport after the game.
"We didn't get to the energy levels of the game. We didn't perform the way we should be performing.
"It's very hard to put your finger on it, what's going on. A very poor first half in general and probably Meath left us in the game as well.
"When we came back and went three up, we probably thought our experience might get us over the line but we failed.
"We gave away a short kick out, got disposed quite easily and [Meath scored] another goal. We conceded 2-06 or 2-07 in turnovers."
Joyce was also left frustrated at some of the decisions that referee Martin McNally made against his side, but ultimately he gave credit to Meath.
"I thought it was a very harsh free that wasn't given to Daniel Ó Flaherty going forward that resulted in a Meath goal - some days you get them, some days you don't but today we didn't.
"You have to give great credit to Meath. They were up for the game, they won the breaking ball battle all day out in the middle of the pitch, they were very sharp inside as well.
"We didn't really get enough to put them away either. They hung in the game very well so congratulations to them.
"We just didn't finish the game out, very disappointing from our side, there's no doubt about it. The lads will regroup and go again. We weren't good enough on the day and congratulations to Meath."
