Dare to believe... This current spell of success isn't an overnight phenomenon. The talent has always been there

There is no need to pinch yourselves and this is not a drill, this Sunday Meath will bid for a first Ladies All-Ireland SFC title when they take on five-in-a-row chasing Dublin in Croke Park from 4.15pm.

Let those words sink in.

Without raking over old coals, let us put next Sunday's game into context.

Six years ago Meath were beaten by 40 points by Cork in an All-Ireland SFC qualifier. The following year they were humbled by Westmeath, twice, and hammered by Dublin as the realisation that they were out of their depth dawned on them.

Hard decisions had to be made, and they were.

Meath were regraded to intermediate football at their own request and the rebuilding programme began.

Fresh from managing his minors to All-Ireland B glory Eamonn Murray was appointed as the next in line of a long list of Meath managers, but this time it was different.

Murray brought with him new ideas, organisation, demands and an insistence that things were done his way - the rise in fortunes were almost instant.

With coaching from Paul Garrigan, Paddy Dowling and Shane Wall, all imports from Wicklow (although Garrigan has Oldcastle roots), Meath advanced to the All-Ireland IFC semi-finals within their first couple of months in charge.

A year later and for the following two years they reached successive All-Ireland IFC finals before finally recapturing their senior status on 20th December last year with Croke Park glory over Westmeath.

In that three-year journey Murray and his team won promotion out of NFL Div 3, that was a clear indication that they were a side on the rise, but the last eight months have been nothing short of sensational.

With forwards coach Mark Brennan and fitness specialist Eugene Eivers added to the ticket, Meath have gone stratospheric.

Beating established senior side Kerry in the NFL Div 2 final secured Div 1 football for 2022 and boosted confidence through the roof.

Even though there was a setback when losing to Cork by two points on their return to the All-Ireland SFC, Meath were on a roll.

A win over old foes Tipperary secured a quarter-final place where Armagh, the 2020 All-Ireland SFC semi-finalists, were dispatched with consummate ease.

Then it was onto Cork again.

Monica McGuirk, Shauna Ennis, Kate Byrne, Megan Thynne and Vikki Wall all played in that 2015 drubbing by the Rebelettes - that hurt is still fresh, but those dark days are long in the past and Meath produced the type of spirit and never-say-die attitude synonymous with sides wearing Kepak on their chest and plucked victory over Cork from the jaws of defeat.

The unthinkable has happened. The country is in shock and awe at the rise of Meath ladies football.

However, despite the recent spotlight shining brightly on the Royals, this hasn't 'just happened' out of nowhere.

Strong underage structures, commitment to developing young players and excellent coaching at juvenile level have improved ladies football in Meath beyond recognition.

There were days when Meath had the best players in the country - the likes of Christine O'Brien, Ann Marie Dennehy, Irene Munnelly, Ger Doherty, Niamh McNelis, Mary Sheridan - the list goes on, were household names in the game, but then those stars faded.

However, what those players did was instill a sense of passion for ladies football amongst McGuirk, Ennis, the Byrnes, Niamh O'Sullivan, Stacey Grimes, Emma Troy and Maire O'Shaughnessy and those players in turn have inspired Emma Duggan, Orlagh Lally, Mary Kate Lynch, Katie Newe, Aoibhin Cleary and Vikki Wall.

So this current spell of success isn't an overnight phenomenon. The talent has always been there. Underage glory has instilled belief and Eamonn Murray and his coaching team have brought it to the next level.

Win or not next Sunday, this Meath team have elevated football in the county again and given hope to Royal supporters - they are already winners.

Dublin are four-in-a-row champions for a reason. They are littered with household names.

Ciara Trant, Lauren Magee, Hannah Tyrell, Lindsey Davey, Carla Rowe, Niamh McEvoy, Sinead Ahearne, Sinead Goldrick are superstars of the game, most of them are predominantly forward-orientated.

Dublin are red-hot favourites, but has their forward division ever had to work as hard before as they will next Sunday? Will their defence be able to cope with the relentless wave of Meath attacks when the Royals counter?

It promises to be a fascinating battle. Dublin are hotly tipped to secure their fifth successive title, but then again Kerry, Tipperary, Armagh and Cork were all fancied to get the better of Meath this year and we all know what happened!