Murray looking forward to massive Croke Park test

To talk to him you'd imagine Eamonn Murray is the model of calm. To listen to him on a sideline you might feel betrayed by that initial assessment, but that is where his passion shines through.

You will always hear Eamonn Murray along the sidelines and it is always positive. As manager of the Meath Ladies side that will play Westmeath in next Sunday's All-Ireland IFC final Murray's role is to develop a happy environment and create a space where his players and coaches can work in perfect harmony.

Since taking over halfway through 2017 following the departure of Diane O'Hora, Murray has put structures in place that has helped Meath get to three successive All-Ireland finals, but now he believes the pressure is on him to win.

"Of course there is huge pressure on us to win it this time, maybe not on the players because they are young and will get there, but there is huge pressure on me as manager to get them over the line this time," Murray told the Meath Chronicle.

"You can't go to three All-Irelands-in-a-row and not win any of them. There is a queue there to win the All-Ireland and you don't jump that queue. We feel that we are next in line and we have to produce it on the day.

"Unless there is a massive thunderstorm or a huge amount of snow we have to believe in ourselves. We love the big pitch, we are focused and have huge drive, so it is up to us to perform and if we do that then we will have a great chance,

"Westmeath are a class side and we know they are going to lift their game a lot. They were poor in their semi-final win over Roscommon, but they still got over the line and I guarantee you they will lift their game enormously.

"Can we reproduce our semi-final performance? That remains to be seen. The difference in our display and Westmeath's performance in the semi-final could be half as wide as it was that weekend. They are sure to improve and if we drop a level there will be nothing between us.

"Westmeath were there before in 2011 and have been senior since 2012, they have a lot of players still involved and they will be eager.

"However, we are starving for success. It is 26 years since Ann Marie Dennehy last lifted an adult All-Ireland cup for Meath, that is unbelievable, so we are starving for success," said the Boardsmill man.

So just how good is Murray's backroom and is there a fear that complacency could be a factor off the back of such a hugely impressive victory over Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final?

"The girls know themselves that they can't slacken up or take their positions for granted. We have five people watching every second of training and looking at every player and if we see any weaknesses we pull it up straight away, but the girls are driving each other on now," said Murray.

"We needed the three weeks between the semi-final and the final to ensure our feet remain on the ground. We have had three or four niggles since the win over Clare, but in truth that might do no harm because that will make sure they work harder when they come back to make sure they keep their places, we have a great squad.

"There is no problem keeping these girls' feet on the ground. All they have to do is turn around and look into the stand to see the group of players we have chomping at the bit ready to come in and that drives everybody on.

"We have a great backroom team and they all get on so well, there is never a bad word between us. I'd hate going training if I didn't get on well with the people I'm working with, but we all get on well together.

"Eugene Eivers did a brilliant job getting the girls in top, top shape. Paddy Dowling has done phenomenal work with Monica McGuirk. She trains with Paddy for an hour and a half three times a week and that has helped her become as great as she is.

"Shane Wall and Mark Brennan do all the work with the defence and the forwards and Paul Garrigan is the overall coach who brings it all together.

“We also have great physios and Michelle Grimes is our female liaison officer, and so much more to the girls, so it's a great group.

"We also have Shane Mangan doing the analysis for us, so we are missing nothing and the girls are very well looked after. The Co Board have been top class, anything the girls want they get. They are well fed with proper food and they are well looked after.

"The last time I was talking after the Leitrim game we were struggling to get Dunganny, but now we have it available to us three times a week, so that is great too."

So with everything in place for success Murray knows his side have to get over the line next Sunday. He believes his players are ready for senior football and with more talent coming in the near future he thinks Meath could be a force if they do get promoited.

"I believe if we can get up to senior we can do well, but we need to keep producing new players every year," he warned.

"Our senior team now has a lot of the team that won the All-Ireland MFC B in 2016 and a few of the Leinster MFC winners from last year, but we need more coming through and I believe they are, so it is vital to get up to senior as soon as we can.

"We also have a great core of older players. Maire O'Shaughnessy brings a wealth of experience and is one of the best midfielders we have had in Meath for a long, long time, she is a most improved and brilliant captain.

"Others like Shauna Ennis, Niamh O'Sullivan and Emma Troy are all class, they are great leaders. We have a lovely mixture and they are all best friends, it is very hard to develop that in a panel, but they are all great friends.

"That's another reason why it is so easy to come training. When they come onto the pitch everyone is smiling. I just hope they get the reward their hard work deserves next Sunday," he concluded.