Manager Nick Weir confident in panel’s ability

Last year was a frustrating one for everyone involved in sport and Meath hurling boss Nick Weir was no exception.

After competing a NHL Div 2A campaign that saw them do the bare minimum to ensure survival, Meath improved significantly as the Joe McDonagh Cup rolled on and finished the campaign with promising performances against Carlow and Westmeath.

However, those promising displays were tinged with frustration for Weir as the games against Carlow and Westmeath were ones the manager felt Meath could, and should, have won.

To make matters worse the most recent lockdown delayed the Royals return to the saddle and Weir is now eager to get back to playing and to continue the good work that saw Meath improve as 2020 evolved.

"We were itching to get back because we felt we were unlucky in the last two matches against Carlow and Westmeath and we wanted to get back on the field as soon as we could to show what we are capable of," Weir told the Meath Chronicle.

"What those two games proved to the boys is that they can compete at this level and with that extra bit of preparation going into the league and into the Joe McDonagh Cup we can build on that and hopefully we won't be too far away.

"We have five games in the league this year, two at home and three away, and they will all be good competitive matches.

"Then we have Down away in the Joe McDonagh Cup and we know that will be no easy feat going up to Ballycran.

"That Down game will be tough, but it is there for us and if we turn up on the day and hurl to the best we can, then please God it will turn out in our favour.

"Then we are at home to Kerry and that game will certainly wet the lips.

"Our season is going to be a quick run-in of just 14 weeks, so the work started last week and week one flew by.

Next Sunday we will be facing Offaly in the first round of the league, that is a brilliant game to have at home to start off.

"It is all good and hopefully we can keep the lads injury-free and they remain eager to perform in that Meath jersey, that is key.

"Hopefully they can put in the performances and if they do that then the results will follow," he added.

Not willing to rest on his laurels and see where things might take him following the positive end to last year, Weir has freshened up his coaching ticket over lockdown and has brought on board former Tipperary players Johnny Enright and Timmy Hammersley as well as recruiting retired Meath legend Steven Clynch.

"We have brought in the two Tipp lads, Johnny (Enright) and Timmy (Hamersley) and they bring a huge level of knowledge and experience to our set-up and they are sure to have a major influence.

"Timmy has done it at the top level having won his All-Ireland and after being with Carlow as a coach for the McDonagh Cup for the last few seasons too he brings a wealth of coaching experience and knows what this level is all about.

"Bringing in those two boys is serious and clearly shows our intentions.

"Then you add in Steven Clynch. As I said to the boys at a management meeting, he is a Meath icon and the lads all respond to him and respect him and everything he does.

"The lads have been lifted by all the new initiatives and coaching.

"We have added David Tobin to our group as well to work on nutrition, so the lads are buying into that too.

"Everything we need for the players is there for them, so it is down to the players now to stand up and react. They have no excuses not to perform.

"I'm a big fan of the 'brilliant basics' as I have said many times before, they are the key to everything that we do.

"That is why Johnny is here. He is a brilliant hurling coach and he will work on those simple things and the speed of the ball and the speed they take it at.

"That is the Achilles at the moment, but that is something we will build on."

As well as adding to his coaching set-up Weir has been boosted by the return from injury of several players and now with a fresh approach and hard work the Westmeath man is hoping for a little bit of luck as Meath bid to make a major mark in 2021.

"The break has had its benefits in that it has allowed a few injuries to clear up and players like James Toher, Sean Quigley, Damien Healy and Gavin McGowan are back now.

"Those lads have looked after themselves really well and did their rehabbing, in fairness they have come back in great shape.

"If we can just get a bit of luck on our side and keep the lads injury-free it will be great for us and for Meath hurling," concluded the Meath boss.