Meath set to take giant step forward in Omagh

NHL DIV 2B Tyrone certain to pose a formidable threat

In just about every respect Meath's start to their NHL Div 2B campaign has been pretty impressive. You can read all sorts of things into statistics but they don't lie. Played three, won three, 3-69 for, 3-43 against.

That's more than decent. It's promotion-clinching form and Seoirse Bulfin and his charges can take a big step towards ensuring their place in the divisional final, and ultimately promotion, when they travel to take on Tyrone in Healy Park, Omagh on Saturday, 2pm.

So far Meath have accounted for Wicklow, Sligo and Donegal in that order and they have overcome other formidable challenges along the way too.

They had Damien Healy sent off against Wicklow on the half-hour mark. Whether it was a harsh call or not is irrelevant in one respect. Meath simply had to reorganise and get on with it. They did just that with the rest of the players left on the field doing more than enough to ensure they won the day, 2-24 to 2-14. It was a sign of a team united in purpose.

That sense of 'one for all, all for one' was needed in the game away to Sligo when the home team asked serious questions of their visitors who eventually won a testing encounter, 0-22 to 1-13.

Much the same kind of esprit de corps was displayed when Donegal were overcome, 1-23 to 0-16 in Pairc Tailteann. Meath haven't played Donegal often over the years but they had all the hallmarks of a well-organised, well-coached unit and the home side had to be strong and focused to see them off the premises.

It's even rarer over the years for teams from Meath and Tyrone to take on each other in the ancient game. All that ensures there will be an element of the 'seldom is wonderful' syndrome when the two counties meet in Healy Park.

Meath currently top the table but a quick glance over their shoulders will reveal the team leading the chasing pack is Tyrone, adding another dimension to Saturday's encounter. This a top of the table clash with the Red Hand county having lost one of their three games played so far.

Despatches from the Red Hand county suggest the game of hurling there is still reeling from the death last summer of one of their great players - Damien Casey. He tragically passed away in a swimming pool accident in Spain. He was only 29. Damien emerged as one of the great finishers in the game over the past decade turning out for his county.

Among those leading the way now is the young Mickey Little who has also proven himself a fine free-taker. He scored 11 points from frees in Tyrone's 1-26 to 3-18 win over London. That kind of form suggest Meath will be punished if they cough up frees anywhere within range. Tyrone have beaten London and Sligo (2-15 to 0-11) and lost to Wicklow (0-12 to 0-15).

Meath's own scoring rate has been greatly helped by the form of players such as Eamonn O Donnchadha who put in a series of outstanding performances in recent outings. The Royals have dispensed largely with working the ball out of the defence. It's now about getting the ball into the forwards, early and often. O Donnchadha has thrived.

With Jack Regan seeking full fitness, Podge O'Hanrahan has taken over as chief marksman and performed very well. Others such as Pa Ryan, Nicky Potterton, James Toher and Simon Ennis have also sparkled in recent games.

All that suggests Meath should mark their rare visit to Omagh with a victory and take that big step forward towards promotion.