To be honest I cant see why Meath should offer a replay. I cant believe Clare did in 1998, and that definitely cost them an All Ireland.
Meath didn't do anything wrong in my eyes. You play to the whistle and obey the ref, simple as that. If every bad decision made by a referee resulted in games being replayed, then I'd imagine 90% of them would be replayed. It was abysmal refereeing on two counts...first of all the ball in was a square ball, then Sheridan proceeded to 'score a try' with the ball...both illegal. The arrogance displayed by the referee in refusing to discuss this with the umpires who were 30 yards closer to the action than him beggars belief, and is so typical of the attitudes of many in powerful positions within the GAA. This man shouldn't ever be allowed referee again, even an under 8's friendly. But don't blame Meath in all of this.