Busy schedule looms for Meath hurlers
THE weeks ahead will hold plenty of competitive action for the Meath hurlers as they go in search of victories in the NHL Div 2 and Kehoe Cup.
Down come calling to Pairc Tailteann on Sunday for the NHL Div 2B before Meath travel to London the following weekend. Then it's on to play Armagh with the Kehoe Cup final away against Carlow likely to be played on Sunday, 30th March. If Meath make it out of their group they could be involved in a semi-final tie in early April. The top two teams in each group progress to the semi-finals.
It's just as well that manager John Andrews has reported a clean bill of health with a near full panel of players to pick from as he is likely to need all his resources during the hectic schedule.
Among the players who look certain to feature in the coming weeks is Mike Cole who is back training with the panel. He had taken a break from training and looked like he might be sent to Chad as part of an Irish army contingent, but he is now back in contention for a starting place.
Also working their way back into the frame are Tony Fox, Nicky Horan and David Donnelly and they are almost certain to see some action in the coming weeks.
Down will provide stern test for Meath at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday, 2.30. They will have one of their best performers back in the fold in Paul Baniff, an accomplished hurler and prolific scorer, who is sure to cause the Meath defence plenty of problems if he features.
So far in their NHL Div 2B campaign Down have drawn with Carlow and defeated Armagh and they will be eager to maintain the winning momentum.
"I have never seen a bad Down team. We would be looking to win these type of games, not only for the league points but also because we will be facing these type of sides in the Christy Ring Cup and we want to get into the habit of beating teams who are at our level," added Andrews.
Meath's campaign so far has contained the good, the bad and the ugly with the high performance (1-25 to 0-8) win over Derry followed by a low wattage 1-13 to 2-15 defeat to Carlow.
"We made silly mistakes in the last 10 minutes of the Carlow game and we have to guard against that from now on. Carlow committed some cynical fouls, dragging players down well outfield. We also put up a big score against Derry. I'm happy where we're at now," added Andrews.
While Meath have some busy days ahead, a victory over Down will do very nicely for starters for Andrews and his troops.