First tie could be defining
Manager O’Neill spoke of his disgust at losing that O’Byrne Cup semi-final, especially with most of his regulars available, after they held a comfortable lead at one stage. He will be all too aware that they stand little hope if they come up against the ‘real Dubs’ in the championship later in the year.
It will be interesting to see just how they react to that defeat when they take the field this Sunday.
Meath won’t be on ‘cloud nine’ either, coming into this clash after being well beaten by Louth in the other O’Byrne semi-final. The Royals sported a mixture of regulars and newnewcomers that day, thougthough the overall display was very disappointing, appodisappointing, leaving manmanager Andy McMcEntee with pleplenty of headaches acheadaches ahead of the NFL.
It’s 2001 since MeMeath last played in ththe top tier and McEnMcEntee is all too aware ththat to close the gap on the top teams in the country the RoyRoyals need to be operating from Division 1.
McEntee said recently that until Meath get playing top teams on a regular basis it is difficult to see them making the progress they want to in the championship. The ambition is to be able to compete with the likes of Dublin once more.
There wasn’t too many positives to be taken from the Louth game and it will be interesting just how many of that starting team hold their place for Sunday. Meath laboured in several positions against the Wee County, including midfield where a player of the calibre and ruggedness of Harry Rooney (left) was badly missed. The Skryne man is currently in New Zealand and could well miss the entire inter-county year.
The league campaign could well define Meath’s year and a victory on Sunday would set them up nicely for the visit of Derry seven days later. Expect a much more focused Meath than the one that performed against Louth as McEntee seeks to build a battleoutfit that won’t be turned over easily.
Kildare tend to be a confidence team and they could be lacking a lot of that ingredient following the woeful display against Dublin. They tend to blow hot and cold, and while they will provide a stern test the hosts are tipped to make a winning start.