McEntee’s seeking a flying start in Omagh

ANDY McEntee has succeeded where many before him have failed, getting Meath back to Division 1 of the league, but the Dunboyne clubman knows just too well that staying there presents a much bigger challenge.

Speaking ahead of the opening round against Tyrone in Omagh on Sunday, McEntee said being back in the top tier is exciting as well as a little scary.

‘You think of the worst-case scenario when everything goes wrong, but that is the nature of competitive sport and it’s the same for the players,’ McEntee said.

‘It is a huge challenge for everybody and you’ve got to step up and perform. We know the consequences of not performing. There are no guarantees for anything, but there is a challenge there for us - seven games, seven fantastic games, exciting prospects.

‘And the great thing about the league in Division 2 or Division 1, if you don’t perform you are going to get beaten. There is pressure on everybody.

‘It is exciting for lads. There are a lot of lads who have been waiting for this for a long time, and the other side of it is, the young fellas ... what is all the fuss about!

‘Nobody is under any illusions, but it is exciting at the same time.’

McEntee said he could see where the pundits who predict that Meath would go straight back down to Division 2 were coming from, especially as the two promoted counties in 2019 - Roscommon and Cavan - suffered that fate.

‘There seems to be a difficulty with teams coming up from Division 2 in recent years and in general that’s the way it’s been. That the challenge. You come up and you’ve got to be better than last year, playing better teams than last year.

‘It’s the same principles and you have to perform close to your best. Your best has got to be better than last year.’

He is well aware that his team need to hit the ground running.

‘Getting out of the blocks early in these leagues, no matter what division you are in, is hugely important, especially the way the fixtures are.

‘If you got something out of game one there would be a fair buzz in Navan for game two and game three. That is the carrot that is in front of us.

‘We have tried to make Navan a very difficult place for teams to come and play. So our three home games against Donegal, Mayo and Galway carry extra importance.

‘This league campaign is hugely important for everyone - for morale in the county, for the players, for everyone, that we can stand up and perform in this company.’

Opponents Tyrone will be minus a few key players, including 2019 AllStar Cathal McShane.

‘Tyrone aren’t going to change their style of play just because there is no Cathal McShane around,’ McEntee continued.

‘They might try and find someone else to play in the same mould, but everyone knows the quality of players they have and their strength in depth.’

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