'It’s about staying ready and taking your chance when it comes.'

Competition for places a huge motivating factor

This is an exciting time to be a Meath footballer. Dreams are coming true, memories are being made, and the hunger is there to make the most of it.

For the younger players who have come through successful minor and u-20 teams the feet are getting itchy and the desire to make an impact is growing with each passing game - they all want to be a part of the journey.

Of the 18 players that featured in the All-Ireland MFC final win over Tyrone in 2021, only Killian Smyth, Jack Kinlough and Brian O'Halloran (who was an inujury time sub that day) are considered matchday regulars, with Kinlough on his way back from an ACL injury.

Just under three years after that Meath claimed the Leinster u-20 FC crown for the first time since 2001 (it was u-21 then), with that team backboned by the All-Ireland winning minors of '21.

However, one key addition to that panel was the inclusion of Dunshaughlin's Charlie O'Connor in midfield and he has gone from strength to strength, becoming a key man with his club and also nailing down a hard earned, much sought after spot in Robbie Brennan's matchday 26 for big games.

O'Connor is up against stiff opposition for one of the two midfield berths. Bryan Menton and Jack Flynn have the eight and nine jerseys sewn up, while Conor Grey and Cian McBride are chomping at the bit for their chance in the middle.

Add in the returning Ronan Jones and Jack Kinlough and O'Connor is also facing competition for a wing forward role, a position he is also equally comfortable in.

Instead of being frustrated, O'Connor is loving the experience and learning from some great players.

He has already made two appearances off the bench for Meath, scoring when bropught in as a blood sub for Menton against Kildare, and then coming in for Adam O'Neill with 12 minutes left against Tyrone.

Being thrown into the mire against Tyrone shows the trust Robbie Brennan has in the 22-year-old and O'Connor is hoping for more chances to prove his worth.

"It’s very exciting. When I first came in, Bryan Menton had just come back to the panel, and I was sitting beside him in the dressing room. He’s always there with advice, especially around midfield," enthused O'Connor.

"All the lads were very good when I came in, especially the more experienced players like Bryan (Menton), Cillian O’Sullivan, Ronan Jones. They really helped introduce me to how things work within the team."

There's a 12 year age gap between O'Connor and Menton and the Donaghmore/Ashbourne veteran is someone o'Connor admired when he stood in Pairc Tailteann as a kid watching the Royals.

However, O'Connor wasn't always the 6'2" potential midfielder he is now.

"I went to most of the games in Navan when i was younger. I would have been watching Mento, Cillian, all those lads when I was younger.

"I wouldn't say I specifically watched the midfielders when I went to those games. I was smaller when I was younger, so I probably looked more at players like Cillian and Eamon Wallace, I was more about pace and running."

Having partnered Jack Kinlough in midfield on that successful u-20 team under Cathal O Bric, O'Connor admitted it found the transition from u-20 to senior football quite difficult at the start, but he is getting more accustomed to it.

"The physicality is the main difference, and also the timing on the ball. It was tough to get to grips with at first, especially during the winter months. But the longer you’re in the setup, the more comfortable you get and the more confidence you gain."

Patience is key for young players like O'Connor and while he is itching to get going and nail down a starting spot, he is well aware of the talent in the Meath panel right now.

"It probably does (get frustrating) for everyone who’s not playing, but when the team is performing well, you just have to be patient and take your chances when they come. Once you get the jersey, it’s your job to hold onto it.

"Staying tuned in when you're on the bench is something Conor Gillespie has always told me — keep watching the game closely. Pay attention to the player you might replace, what they’re doing well, and what the opposition are doing. You need to be ready and understand your role before you go on.

"We do get analysis and feedback from training, but you also have to take responsibility yourself—review your own performance and ask coaches where you can improve. That’s the only way you’re going to develop and earn more minutes."

O'Connor is loving life in the green and gold and admits there's a great 'buzz' about Meath football at the moment. The squad are laser-focused on the next game and looking ahead to the Leinster Championship, while on a personal note O'Connor just wants to get into the team and he is willing to do any role he is asked.

"A winning team is always a happy one, but the group gets on well regardless of who’s playing. There’s a good buzz around the camp at the moment.

"We were focused on winning the league and getting promoted, which we did. Now it’s about getting back to training and looking ahead to the Leinster Championship, taking it game by game.

"Of course I want to be starting, in midfield, wing forward or wherever. That’s the goal for everyone; to play as much as possible. Hopefully I can get more opportunities in the Leinster Championship and show what I can do. It’s about staying ready and taking your chance when it comes," concluded the Dunshaughlin man with a bright future.