ROYALS SO COST’ EFFECTIVE
Meath star not giving up on promotion
MATHEW COSTELLO says that if Meath can force their way into the Division Two promotion race – they’ll be ready for it.
Colm O’rourke’s Royals moved onto five points with a weekend win over Kildare in Navan in a game riddled with mistakes.
Next-up for Meath is a trip to Cavan on Saturday night – a third derby match on the trot – following wins over Louth and Kildare.
This one could present a major stumbling block to their promotion hopes
On their only road trip in this year’s League campaign, Meath were defeated by 12 points in Armagh.
After Cavan, Meath are at home to Cork and finish with a difficult trip to play Donegal in Ballybofey.
Win the next two games and it could be a straight shootout at Maccumhaill Park for promotion to Division 1.
Costello (23) said: “Right now we still have two more games till Donegal.
“If we can get the maximum out of that, it might come down to that last day to get the extra two points at the end, beat Donegal and break into those top two teams.
“Armagh as well, they still have three games to go and they can drop points.
“We just focus on ourselves, get ourselves into an opportunity to break into the top two and if it happens we will be ready for it.”
Dunshaughlin star Costello, who lined out for DCU in this year’s Sigerson Cup, says it was tricky during last week to come down from his wonder goal against Louth (inset).
The 2018 Leinster Minor Championship winning captain waltzed through the Wee County rearguard, showing great dexterity and skill to crack home the goal that effectively decided a tight and tense derby affair.
Costello said: “You don’t even think about it. You kind of forget about how you even started the move. I got on the ball, further out than I realised it was.
“It was kind of tough to put it behind me at the start of the week. There were messages right the way until yesterday (last Saturday).
“It is actually nearly a challenge to forget about it and get yourself right, because obviously it takes a lot for these games.
“It takes a lot of concentration and momentum and stuff, so you kind of need to put those ones behind you.
“Luckily I did that. What mattered was that the team played well. We played a lot better in the second half (v Louth) and thankfully the goal just ended up getting us two points.”
Meanwhile, Costello’s Dunshaughlin club mate Conor Gray was with the Meath team at the weekend after being released from hospital following a bout of pneumonia.
Boss O’rourke is unsure when the midfielder, who starred in last year’s run to the Tailteann Cup despite still being an under-20, will be ready to go again.
“Conor Gray is out of the hospital,” said O’rourke. “He was in there in the dressingroom and he’s looking well. He’s a long way from playing football.”