Fergal Lynch: The summer dreams of All-Ireland glory lives on - over to you, Ladies

Alas it wasn't to be for Meath in their quest for a first All-Ireland SFC semi-final win since the hammering of Kerry in 2001 - now the Royal supporters know how the Kingdom felt that day.

Last Sunday Donegal inflicted the joint biggest All-Ireland SFC semi-final defeat since 1979 on the Royals to book their place in the Sam Maguire finale against Kerry on 27th July.

It was the proverbial hammering for Meath, but Robbie Brennan's side are not as far behind the curve as last Sunday's performance might suggest.

Let's not sweep pulsating victories over Dublin, Kerry and Galway this summer under the carpet. Those games are an indication of where Meath truly are, on an upward trajectory, while Sunday's clash with Donegal proved there's still plenty more to learn.

Sunday was a case of being unable to arrest an avalanche. Once Donegal got rolling they were formidable. Their power, pace and precision too much for Meath to handle.

There were a few indications from Meath early on that they might cause Jim McGuinness's side a few issues, but once Donegal settled they were sensational.

Meath were left to rue missed chances. Nine first-half wides, only a couple of successful two-point scores from eight attempts, careless turnovers and some soft fouls left them chasing their tails.

Add in the devastating ankle injury that forced Bryan Menton out of the contest so soon after it had began and it is easy to forgive Meath for writing off the occasion as just one of those days.

Menton's departure was huge. His leadership, direction, inspiration and ball-winning abilities went with him and that left a huge hole in midfield which Donegal gratefully filled.

The Ulster champions were ruthless. They kept their foot on the throat of the Meath challenge and never gave up, firing three second-half goals to simply blow their opponents away.

While the dream is over for Robbie Brennan's side, all attention now shifts to next Saturday's titanic Ladies All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash with Kerry in Tullamore.

Meath have lost in the quarter-finals of the last two All-Ireland SFC series to the Kingdom, but off the back of their hugely impressive win over Tipperary the Royals will travel to the Faithful County town with renewed hope.

The summer dreams of All-Ireland glory lives on - over to you, Ladies.