There's something special growing in the Royal garden
ALL-IRELAND SFC PREVIEW
The reputation of Meath football has certainly gone up a level or two in the last 12 months.
This time last year the Meath players were on the outside looking in as the All-Ireland series marched on to the quarter-finals.
A winless Sam Maguire campaign that included hidings from Louth and Kerry and a flattering three point loss to a Monaghan side that hadn't won in five months left Meath's already fragile reputation in tatters.
Nine weeks later Colm O'Rourke didn't have his contract as Meath manager renewed and the mood in the county was as low as a snakes belly as the sense of 'here we go again' was overwhelming.
Who in their right mind would want to be Meath manager?
The Royals had only earned their place in the '24 race for Sam Maguire by virtue of winning the Tailteann Cup in 2023 and the seven point victory over Longford in the Leinster SFC opener only served to paper over the cracks.
The subsequent 16-point drubbing by a regressing Dublin side gave further evidence that Meath were a long way off the pace.
After avoiding relegation from NFL Div 2 by a single point earlier in the year all the signs were that O'Rourke's rebuilding job was going to take longer than the Sagrada Familia.
That opportunity to rebuild was denied O'Rourke and with potential replacements not exactly beating the door down, Meath Co Board put all their faith in All-Ireland Club SFC winning boss with Kilmacud Crokes, Robbie Brennan.
When the former St Peter's Dunboyne player accepted the role, he, in turn, put all his faith in youth and added a little sprinkling of experience by calling back Bryan Menton.
Others were summoned back too, and while they didn't make an impact on the first team, their experience around the camp was crucial in helping the young inexperienced players settle into life as county footballers.
Brennan made 21-year-old Eoghan Frayne his captain and handed another 21-year-old, Ciaran Caulfield, the vice-captain role.
Huge responsibility on such young shoulders, but Brennan made his point. He put his complete trust and faith in youth and instructed the experienced heads around them to guide them on their way.
Sure, there have been blips. That lack of experience may have been costly in the Leinster final. Injuries played their part in frustrating the promotion bid from NFL Div 2, but every lesson has been a valuable one and Meath are starting to learn.
The last team, before Meath this year, to defeat Kerry and Dublin in the same championship season was Tyrone and they went on to win that year's All-Ireland in 2008 - is that an omen?
Nobody is suggesting for one minute (well not out loud anyway) that Meath will emulate Tyrone's achievement of 17 years ago. The bookies give the Royals no chance against the Tribesmen in Croke Park next Sunday. Most have Meath at 5/2 to stun Padraic Joyce's side. They were 13/2 to beat Dublin and 8/1 to beat Kerry - just saying.
No matter what happens next Sunday, Meath's reputation is restored. With this group of young players driving on they will not be considered a soft touch.
There will be more lessons to be learned. There will be plenty of painful days and poor performances, but this group of young men have shown those age-old admirable Meath qualities of resilience, determination, grit and hunger with no small measure of brilliance, flair and fantastic football.
Whisper it quietly. Meath are back. It might not be this year nor next, but there is a feeling that something special is growing in the Royal garden once again.