MEATH…2-22
OFFALY…0-18
This day seven years ago was obviously Easter Sunday. The day Meath defeated Fermanagh in Pairc Tailteann to seal a return to Div. 1 of the National Football League. The reason I know it had to be the chocolate holiday is because I was in Fairyhouse getting updates via WhatsApp as Andy McEntee guided our lads back to football’s top table.
Technology, and the ability of yours truly to take advantage of same has leapt forward considerably. Which meant that, even though one was unable to attend another such joyous occasion, between apps and YouTube and other streaming facilities every ball was, as ever, kicked in spirit as Robbie Brennan banked his first major achievement as Meath manager when guiding the Royal County back to the premium level of National League competition.
Now, while only a calamitous catastrophe would have prevented such an outcome, the visitors still had to go to Glenisk O’Connor Park and take care of their own business to avoid any sort of trouble. And, though the Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte steered outfit were relegated before today, every team has their pride, honour and tradition. Plus plenty of us are old enough to recall Offaly clipping our wings on more than one occasion.
But, not for the first time in the recent past, let it be said there is something different about the makeup of this Meath group. Concurring with Sean Brennan in his post match interview when the brilliant Dunderry player enthused “It’s hard to know (what sets them apart), you can’t really put it down to one thing”.
Still, there was something telling about how, after the home custodian Conor Melia had opened the scoring from a two-point free, Meath put a quick, crisp passing move at the end of which Bryan Menton continued his penchant for scoring goals at the Tullamore venue when curling a left footed effort to the onion bag.
That was the springboard upon which a spell of dominance which in reality won the game for Meath. Points followed for Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey and a phalanx of scores between Jordan Morris and Aaron Lynch.
Before, to cap an utterly dominant first half display by both of them, Cian McBride made another wonderful fetch at midfield before, eh, manufacturing a penalty which Morris dispatched with typical coolness, confidence and precision.
That made it 2-09 to 0-09 at the change of ends and when Sean Brennan strode and executed what is now becoming his trademark – nailing two-point frees from out the country – that was as good as stamping the travel documents for the Meath bus to Croke Park next Sunday.
Scoring a further 11 points thereafter would hardly suggest there were many, or any, deficiencies in the performance levels of the victors but if one wanted to be hyper analytical, it could be pointed that the vanquished did register the last four scores of the game. But that would be purely from the perspective of Robbie and his backroom having something with which to sharpen minds prior to the Rebel rematch.
Because there was so much to like about Meath. Not just in terms of this performance, but throughout the campaign to date.
But just to focus on Sunday’s business for now, another clean sheet for Sean Brennan, 12 different scorers, 1-19 of their tally coming from play and, finally, while it has been a tad frustrating from a spectator point of view so must be multiply so for the players concerned, not to see that many ‘new’ faces given the office, it does demonstrate the layer of depth Meath have developed and continue to.
That said, it must be acknowledged that they will have to find another level of something again if they are to overturn the outcome of matters in Pairc Ui Rinn just a few short weeks ago.
Back then, Dara Sheedy, Sean McDonnell, Chris Og Jones and Steven Sherlock set riddles that Meath couldn’t compartmentalise and deconstruct. Mind you, it’s worth pointing out that Ciaran Caulfield was only the fingertips of a hometown defender away from slotting a two pointer which would have salvaged a draw for those on a road trip.
More than that, with absolutely no disrespect intended, if anybody bar Adam O’Neill had ended up with possession from the resulting ricochet, Micheal Aodh Martin’s net would almost certainly have bulged.
No doubt, you are probably musing that if my aunt was kitted out differently she’d be my uncle. You’d be right too. But consider this – for their last two home matches – against Meath and Kildare – Cork boss John Cleary had the venue switched from Ui Chaoimh to Ui Rinn.
There would be no forensic science degree required to figure out why either. Both teams are stacked with big, physical, but mobile footballers well capable of raining scuds over from where the wonderful RTE basketball commentator Timmy McCarthy would no doubt describe as downtown!
However, pulling off the full court press in the big field in Drumcondra is a different matter altogether. While tongue is firmly planted in cheek saying we have home advantage this time around, Dublin 3 does appear to bring the best out of this team.
A lot done, more to do.
Scorers J. Morris (1-6, P, 1F), B. Menton (1-0), A. Lynch (0-3), S. Brennan, D. Keogan, E. Frayne and J. Conlon (0-2 each), S. Coffey, C. Caulfield, R. Kinsella, C. McBride and J. Scully (0-1 each).
Meath – S. Brennan; S. Lavin, S. Rafferty, B. O’Halloran; D. Keogan, S. Coffey, C. Caulfield; B. Menton, J. Flynn; J. O’Connor, R. Kinsella, C. McBride; J. Morris, E. Frayne, A. Lynch.
Subs – C. Hickey for O’Connor, J. Conlon for Lynch, C. Duke for Flynn, J. Scully for Menton, K. Smyth for Caulfield.
Referee – Seamus Mulhare (Laois)
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