‘We have to roll up our sleeves now’
ATTEMPTING to explain yet another defeat is becoming an uneasy task for Meath manager Andy McEntee at the moment.
At the start of the campaign his Meath side were short odds to finally escape the clutches of Division 2 and get an opportunity to mix it with the big boys. After all, they went agonisingly close over the past couple of seasons.
Who would have thought at this stage that the only way they would leave Division 2 football might be through the relegation trapdoor.
That is the stark reality that is staring the Royals at present, with two rounds of the campaign remaining.
‘We have two games to play and we have got to win both - that is the bottom line,’ McEntee said following the four-point defeat to Cork.
‘The appetite was good today from the off, but goals are hurting us at the moment,’ the Meath boss continued.
‘A five-point deficit at the break and a strong breeze in our favour in the second half, that was manageable.
‘We came out at the start of the second half, we had three chances and we didn’t convert any of them. They get a free and convert it and instead of the gap being back to two it’s up to six.
‘I suppose given the nature of the competition and where we are at the moment, everyone is getting a little bit tight and we’re just probably not executing the skills properly. We are not performing to the level that we are capable of, which is disappointing, but that’s where we’re at.
‘At the moment, for one reason or the other, it is not happening and that is difficult for players and management to turn around. We just have to roll up our sleeves and work harder.’
With Louth on the horizon this weekend, would there be an extra incentive there to defeat the Wee County?
‘I don’t think it matters who we’re playing next week. The situation is that we’re in the last-chance saloon and you’ve got to win that game. Regardless of who you’re playing, you’d like to think that lads are going to be motivated for it.’ TUESDAY MARCH 13
Football B League at 8.0
Div 1: Skryne v Wolfe Tones, P Clarke. Div 2: Nobber v Moynalvey, P Mooney.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 14
Football A League at 8.0
Div 1: Dunshaughlin v Na Fianna, L O’Brien; At Dunganny: Moynalvey v Donaghmore/Ashbourne, M Griffin; St Patrick’s v St Colmcille’s, (7.0)
L Reddy.
Div 2: Castletown v Duleek-Bellewstown, M Dawson; Trim v St Michael’s, B Heaney. Div 4: Moynalty v Kilbride, P Mooney; Kilmainhamwood v Slane, C McManus.
FRIDAY MARCH 16
Hurling League at 8.0
Div 4: St Patrick’s v Ratoath, M Ryan.
SATURDAY MARCH 17
Football B League at 11.0
Div 2: Castletown v Seneschalstown, M Dawson.
Div 3: St Michael’s v Duleek-Bellewstown. Div 4: St Ultan’s v Cortown, L O’Brien; Bective v Moynalty, L Reddy; Simonstown v Syddan. Div 6: Kilmainham v Slane.
SUNDAY MARCH 18
Drogheda: Louth v Meath NFL Div 2, 2.0.