BOYLAN TALKS SPORT: A measure of consolidation with a dash of optimism
Sometimes it is just as simple as it looks. Before there was a ball kicked in Div 2 of the NFL, it would have been fairly widely accepted that Armagh and Donegal were considerably ahead of their fellow competitors. In fact, both of the Ulster sides were only masquerading as residents of the second tier.
That they beat Meath by nine and eight points respectively is probably a fair reflection of the chasm which exists between our lads and the supposed top teams.
Indeed, the Royal County’s final overall league placing, 13th, also seems about right. Even though, technically speaking, Meath will be in the final 12 in the All Ireland Championship later on this year. Though slightly unpalatable the truth is that despite rousing performances against Louth, Kildare and Cavan, it was only the point garnered against Fermanagh which saved our asses from the bacon slicer. In contrast, Cork’s victory over Meath was the springboard for John Cleary’s troops to actually saw them finish fourth in the Div 2 table.
So, in an overall sense, how would one appraise our football league campaign this season? One of consolidation, with flecks of optimism occasionally flickering through.
The Positives:
A. Sean Brennan has made the goalkeeping spot his own, and acquitted himself with aplomb. Both in the rudiments of the role and as a long range free taker.
B. Certain sectors of the team nearly pick themselves at this stage. Brennan in goal, Adam O’Neill at full back, Brian O’Halloran in one corner. The other depending on the fitness or otherwise of Darragh Campion. Ciaran Caulfield and Sean Coffey are most likely to be the wing backs; likewise Ronan Jones and Cian McBride at midfield, Eoghan Frayne on the ‘40’ and Mat Costello on the edge of the square.
C. Touched on above, but, Sean Brennan appears to have solved long range free taking issues which have basically lingered since Mickey Newman retired.
D. Because of the emergence - or further development if you prefer - of the likes of O’Neill, Brian O’Halloran, Caulfield, Coffey, McBride and Frayne and the addition of players such as Campion, Adam McDonnell, Ruairi Kinsella, Danny Dixon, Ross Ryan, Mick Murphy and James Conlon, if others currently absent were to become available once more, it would certainly add a layer of depth which will be absolutely essential as the season continues.
You know, having outlined the positives, there were actually very few of what could be called blatant negatives. Though the manner in which Colm O’Rourke’s charges have been inclined to retreat into a rearguard shell when they have constructed leads for themselves has to be a worry.
That, and the amount of times opponents have managed to effect turnovers on Meath players. The latter aspect being a factor is actually quite surprising given how effective the Meath defence themselves have been at suffocating raiding attackers into surrender of possession.
Now, to reiterate the view expressed in this column last week, I would love to be able to opine that Meath will beat Longford and then go on to beat Dublin, but then, what we want to happen in sport often doesn’t transpire. And, while hope would be that we might be in a position to give a decent account of ourselves at the very least, being realistic, committing any other aspirations as to what might be possible would be sheer folly.
Sure it’s the hope that kills you. By the time you’re reading this, depending on what time you do your newspaper shopping, Joe Cowley’s Meath Minor footballers will either be on the cusp of their opening round fixture in the Leinster MFC against Kildare or it’ll be just concluded.
Furthermore, at that stage, there will be only one week to go until the county’s U-20 footballers - under the guidance of Cathal O’Bric - begin their Leinster Championship campaign with a home fixture against Westmeath. Whilst in no way seeking to increase pressure on the Wolfe Tones clubman or his players, there’s no doubt their forthcoming campaign is a massive one for the county.
Most obviously due to the fact that they are, of course, the group who brought the All Ireland MFC title back to the county in 2021. You’d at least hope that they’d have a decent shot at emulating their predecessors of 1990 and also garner outright glory at the final underage grade.
Desirable and all as that would of course be, even if they don’t end up going the whole way, what’s important is that Meath teams continue to compete to a high level in the underage competitions.
So as to continue the throughput of talent which has seen Sean Brennan, Cian McBride, Matt Costello, Ciaran Caulfield, Darragh Campion, Sean Coffey, Eoghan Frayne, Mick Murphy, Adam McDonnell and Brian O’Halloran transition from talented underage sides to the highest level.
Hope springs eternal at this time of year. Anything seems possible. Best wishes to Joe, Cathal, their fellow mentors and players as their seasons begin. As Munster Rugby folk say, “To the brave and the faithful nothing is impossible”.