Hopes remain high ahead of tricky league campaign

Don't be fooled into thinking that promotion from NFL Div 2 is a nailed on certainty for a Meath team that reached the All-Ireland SFC semi-finals last year - it certainly isn't.

Expectations are such in the Royal County that Meath are considered amongst the favourites to claim one of the top two spots, but if recent history tells us anything it is that expectations are often very different to reality.

Last year, the expectations for Meath were that they would be relegated from Div 2. After a poor All-Ireland SFC series and the departure of Colm O'Rourke as manager many, outside of the green (and gold) fields, feared the worst for a young Meath team.

However what transpired was beyond many Meath supporters wildest dreams. Right in contention for promotion from NFL Div 2 until the final whistle against Louth in Inniskeen, championship wins over Dublin, Galway and eventual All-Ireland champions Kerry and the emergence of four players good enough to receive All-Star nominations were all evidence of significant progression under new manager Robbie Brennan.

That sparkling 2025 has completely reversed the expectations for '26, but Meath fans need to be cautious and realistic.

While last year's magnificent run most certainly was not a flash in the pan, this is still a young, developing Meath side and NFL Div 2 is still very dangerous water for young fish to swim, especially with sharks like Tyrone, Derry, Louth, Cork etc.

The quality of the opposition Meath will face in this year's league campaign is top class.

First up Derry, who didn't win a game in 2025, were Div 1 champions in '24 and were considered by many to serious All-Ireland contenders last year before it all went horribly wrong.

Tyrone were relegated from Div 1 on seven points, just one less point than Kerry who went on and won the league title. Cork were just one of four teams to beath Meath in the entirety of 2025, Louth were another and both will once again provide formidable opposition.

Meath haven't beaten Cavan in Breffni Park since 1965 and while they do seem to have the measure of their neighbours in Navan, that luxury is no longer there and the Royals must step into Cavan's backyard in a bid to end that dreadful run.

Kildare are the reigning Tailteann Cup champions and are very must on the rise under Brian Flanagan. Recent trips to Newbridge have not been happy experiences for Meath sides and the Lilywhites will be no pushovers despite having come up from Div 3.

Offaly won Div 3 last year and look to be different animals under the combined guidance of Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly and with a little bit of help from former Meath goalkeeper Brendan Murphy.

There are no games on the schedule that Meath supporters can point to as 'handy two points'. Even the home comfort of playing in Pairc Tailteann is gone with the old ground under redevelopment. Croke Park will have to provide the inspiration for games against Derry, Tyrone and Louth and there will be no advantage gained from playing those seasoned sides on Jones' Road.

While it is wise to extoled and highlight the virtues of Meath's opponents in the league, it should not be forgotten that Meath have decent pedigree too.

The aforementioned wins over Dublin, Galway and Kerry should be enough to worry all opponents in Div 2. Also the potential for growth within a young, progressive Meath side appears limitless and that will cause Ciaran Meenagh a few sleepless nights before next Saturday's league curtainraiser in Croke Park.

Robbie Brennan scoured the county high and low for new players and gave up to 30 new potential candidates their opportunity in O'Byrne Cup games against Wicklow and Offaly and challenge matches against Mayo, Wexford, Donegal and Limerick, but it is expected the tried and trusted will be expected to shoulder expectations for 2026.

Ruairi Kinsella appears to be the only injury doubt ahead of the start of the league with a hamstring injury likely to keep him out for a few more weeks, but Brennan has more options.

Cian McBride has returned to Royal colours after a late summer of club football in Donegal and he looks bigger, stronger and more like the player we expected to see when he returned from a spell with Essendon in AFL.

Jack Flynn looks back to his best after struggling with injury, while James Conlon is also back in contention having suffered injury last on in Meath '25 campaign.

Sean Rafferty is regarded as one of the finest full-backs in the country, his All-Star award is testament to that and with Sean Coffey, Ciaran Caulfield, Seamus Lavin and Donal Keogan to compliment Meath's most rising of stars the Royals have a solid rearguard.

It is unsure if captain Eoghan Frayne will be fit enough to start the league campaign. He has been wrapped up in cotton wool over the winter and with a big summer ahead it might be wise to manage his minutes.

His clubmate Adam McDonnell is one of the exciting new names Meath fans are looking forward to seeing in action and reports from the recent challenge matches suggest that Aaron Lynch could have a major impact this year.

While expectations are certainly high, Meath need to keep their feet on the ground. All their talent will mean nothing without hard work, but it is unlikely that this group of players will give anything less than 100% and while there are sure to be days that will go against them there are certainly plenty of bright days ahead for the Green and Gold.