Agony and the ecstasy

Scoil Mhuire, Trim capped a mixed weekend for Meath football when they travelled to Kinnegad on Monday afternoon and were crowned All-Ireland Schools SF B champions following a thrilling 5-9 to 1-6 victory over Presentation, Athenry. The Trim school's captain Shauna Ennis revealed after the win that the victory was what the players have been striving for since they started school. "Never mind the Leaving Cert, this is what we have been working towards for the last five years," claimed the Na Fianna girl and their victory was just reward after sufferibng disapopointment in two other All-Ireland finals in recent years. The All-Ireland win for the Trim girls was emulated by the boys from Ratoath College as they defeated Coláiste Chill Mhaintáin to lift the All-Ireland VS SF B title in Newbridge on Saturday, but later that evening Meath football suffered a major setback as Seamus McEnaney's side slumped to a heavy NFL Div 2 loss to Tyrone in Omagh. In what was one of the poorest performances by a Meath team in recent memory, Meath managed just two points from play as the Red Hand hosts maintained their unbeaten run with a 1-12 to 0-5 win and condemned Meath to a battle for survival when Louth come to Navan on Sunday 8th April. McEnaney was bitterly disappointed following the defeat, but was confident that his charges can emerge from their current slump and guarantee survival with victory over Louth. "I make no secret that it is management's responsibility to get the best out of their team, but at this minute in time we are not getting the best out of our team. However, I have no doubt that that will change and it will change in the next two weeks," said McEnaney. With four teams tied on four points at the foot of Div 2, Meath can afford to lose to Louth in their final, but then must hope that other results go their way if they are to avoid relegation. If Meath were to lose then they must also hope that Westmeath lose to Derry in Mullingar and Monaghan slip up away to table toppers Tyrone. McEnaney will want to avoid that scenario and knows that a massive improvement in form will be necessary if Meath are to keep their destiny in their own hands. On a more positive note for Meath football Andy McEntee's minor side will take on Dublin in the Leinster MFL final in Navan on Saturday, 4.0. Meath secured their place in the final with a hammering of Longford in last Sunday's semi-final and following wins over Louth, Wexford and Carlow the Royals will be hopeful of clinching the title ahead of the start of the Leinster MFC against Longford on Saturday 14th April. Next weekend will also be a big weekend for the Meath ladies. They will travel to Donegal on Sunday knowing that a victory over their hosts is a must if they are to book their place in the NFL Div 1 semi-finals. Meath also need Dublin to them them a favour and defeat Laois, but Paula Cunningham's side must take care of their own business first and defeat Donegal.