Goalkeeping crisis for Royals
NO Paddy O’Rourke, no Joe Sheridan, no Padraic Harnan, no Donnacha Tobin, no Ronan Jones, no Ruairi O Coileain, no James Toher, no Mickey Newman - the list goes on.
For a variety of reasons Meath senior footballers could be seriously depleted this year, and that is not just for the O’Byrne Cup competition that gets under way for the Royals in Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, this Wednesday at 8pm.
A number of players have decided not to commit this year and others are abroad, while retirements have also opened the door for some seeking to make a name for themselves at intercounty level.
The recall of former star attacker Joe Sheridan as a goalkeeper 12 months ago seemed a bewildering move at the time and even more so now after number one choice Paddy O’Rourke announced his retirement from the inter-county scene. The Seneschalstown man followed suit shortly after O’Rourke and it has now left Meath with something of a goalkeeping crisis.
Former keeper David Gallagher has come out of retirement and at age 38 could well end up as first choice for the Division 2 league campaign. Dunshaughlin youngster Adam McDermott is also in the panel for the O’Byrne Cup but is hardly ready to be thrown in at the deep end yet. Donaghmore/Ashbourne’s netminder Andy Colgan is also included, but he didn’t kick a ball in 2017 as he spent the year travelling.
Trim’s James Toher lined out with the county hurlers last Saturday in a Walsh Cup tie against Antrim and that could indicate that the dual star will commit to the small-ball game this year.
On the positive side, Skryne’s Harry Rooney has returned from his travels and is back on the panel. County champions Simonstown Gaels have four players in the squad, with Mark McCabe and Padraig McKeever joining Sean Tobin and Brian Conlon.
Meath also have Wicklow in their group, whom they play on Sunday, and regardless of how much they experiment they will be expected to have at least one more competitive outing before they travel to take on Roscommon in the opening round of the Division 2 NFL campaign on January 28th.
Carlow are already up and running in the competition, having defeated Wicklow 3-8 to 0-6 last Saturday. If they follow that victory with a win over Andy McEntee’s charges it will leave Sunday’s match against the Garden County at Pairc Tailteann a dead rubber. However, that is unlikely to happen and it is all about getting in as many competitive games as possible before the NFL begins. MEATH SQUAD: