The "overseas county" of New York also participated, while London played no part in the competition due to the outbreak of Foot-and-mouth disease.

The 2001 All-Ireland SFC began with the four provincial championships – knock-out competitions between county sides in the same province.

The sides which did not win a provincial championship entered the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers to determine which other four teams would play in the quarter-finals.

Manager Seán Boylan had been in charge for 8 of Meath's previous final appearances, including replays.

The county entered at the second qualifying round, against Wicklow,[11] and with further victories against Armagh[12] and Cork,[13] joined Meath at the quarter-final stage.

[24] Meath reached the All-Ireland SFC final following a 2–14 (twenty points) to 0–5 victory against the defending champions Kerry.

[25] Kerry, who started the game with all but two of the players who won the title the previous year,[26] only managed to score a single point in the second half.

[27] John McDermott scored Meath's first goal towards the end of the first half to give his side a five-point lead at the break.

[16] Galway's hurlers contested the 2001 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final on 9 September, but lost to Tipperary.

In the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final, held just before the senior game, Tyrone and Dublin drew 0–15 – 1–12.

[9] All but two of the side had started the final two years previously;[9] Richie Kealey and Ray McGee replaced Paddy Reynolds and Enda McManus.

[43] They made appearances in Ballinasloe, Tuam and Galway city, where a civic reception was held, to greet fans.

[43] The city's mayor, Donal Lyons, said Galway people across the world were proud when watching the side.