New era begins as Meath prepare for NFL campaign

LADIES FOOTBALL Manager McCormack seeking to restore glory days

Anybody looking to highlight the kind of fluctuating fortunes a football team can endure in a relatively short space of time only have to reflect on how Meath have fared out in the Ladies NFL in recent years.

In 2022, for example, the Royal County won their first ever Div 1 title defeating Donegal at Croke Park. The prestige of the competition, the venue at which the final was played, gave an indication of just how well Meath were going at the time. Reigning All-Ireland champions they were the queens of the castle, apparently safe in their lofty retreat.

Turn the page to 2023 and it was a very different story indeed. Instead of finding themselves in the race for the title itself the team struggled to win a game in their NFL campaign. As it turned out one victory over Donegal proved to be enough to help them retain their status, but it was close. Too close. Falling through the trap door was a real possibility for a time. It was a dramatic fall-off in fortunes.

What will Meath be like this year? Will they be the strong, assertive side that blossomed in 2022 (they also claimed the Div 2 crown the previous year) or will they be the team that struggled in last year's campaign? A team who played well for spells in games but couldn't muster up any consistency - and almost paid a hefty price.

One of the new manager Shane McCormack's tasks is to rebuild the confidence that appeared to ebb away last year. The former manager of the Armagh ladies team, McCormack brings with him considerable coaching experience to his role with the Royal County but he will know nothing is achievable unless the players' themselves rediscover the belief that brought them success in the past.

McCormack, who played senior football for Kildare, did lead Armagh to a NFL Div 2 title but the challenges facing him in his new position are indeed considerable.

Meath will be without one of their marquee players in former LGFA Footballer of the Year Vikki Wall, who is preparing herself for the Olympic games with the Ireland rugby sevens set up. Another player out is Kelsey Nesbitt who has gone to Australia for a year or so, while Aoife Minogue is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury.

Another big loss will be Stacey Grimes who won her first All-star award in 2022. The Senseschalstown player has been affected by injuries in recent seasons. Her marauding runs and ability to take and convert frees under the most intense pressure are priceless assets Meath will find difficult to replace. Niamh O'Sullivan who was married in recent weeks hasn't (at the time of writing) returned to the panel but she is expected to do so, while Orlagh Lally is continuing with her Aussie Rules career with Fremantle Dockers.

Changed is inevitable of course, and one of McCormack's main tasks this year will be bringing in new players and giving them an opportunity to pick up some valuable experience. Some of the young players who have been brought into the panel will now be required to step up and fill the gaps left by those who have moved on. It's a formidable ask.

Meath will be required to get into the groove of winning from their first outing in a busy league campaign on Sunday when they travel to Ballina Stephanites to take on Mayo. The Royals could do with a victory there if only to bolster morale ahead of their next outing against Dublin at Pairc Tailteann the following week.

Considering that those who have moved on are accomplished forwards - or in Lally's case a very talented midfielder - it will be intriguing to see how effective Meath prove to be in clocking up scores against Mayo.

They do of course still have have plenty of exciting attacking options with the exceptional Emma Duggan expected to lead the line where she will have support from Meabhdh Byrne and Ciara Smyth. Aoibhin Cleary, Mary Kate Lynch and Katie Newe are other big game players who will play vital roles, while newly appointed captain Monica McGuirk continues to be one of the game's top goalkeepers and will lead the team from the back.

While there is plenty of transition, McCormack and his management team have every reason to believe that with the undoubted talent of plenty of two-time All-Ireland SFC winners coupled with an exciting blend of exceptional younger players Meath can once again make a big impact in 2024.