Cork set to test Royal character

The mere mention of the name Cork these days sends shivers down the spines of Meath supporters, but next Saturday in Semple Stadium Thurles Trevor Giles's minors have a chance to reignite happier memories when they take on the Rebels in the All-Ireland MFC quarter-final at 2pm.

Two wins from three outings for the Cork seniors against Robbie Brennan's men has dampened Meath enthusiasm in recent weeks, but Giles's minor side have filled the county with renewed optimism following a spring and early summer of hope.

The Leinster MFC campaign got off to a dull and dreary start with home comforts proving untrue as Louth and Kildare inflicted convincing defeats on the young Royals in Skryne.

With their backs to the wall, and with a couple of changes of personnel and the slight change in approach, Meath came out swinging in the remainder and marched all the way to the provincial decider in fine style, and then some.

In the win or bust round three clash with Laois in Portlaoise Meath went goal-mad and hit the O'Moore County for six to secure a 33 points win. That secured a preliminary quarter-final against Wicklow, on the road again, and the Gardeners were no match for their visitors as Meath bagged another half dozen goals in the 36 point win.

Offaly were expected to put up the stiffest test yet and they did for a while before five late goals ensured a 22-point victory for Meath and a semi-final against Dublin.

Any game against Dublin is never going to be easy, but this ever-increasingly confident group of minor Meath men controlled their neighbours impressively and landed the six-point win.

The place in the Leinster final was secured. Since the opening two losses, Meath scored 19 goals in their next four games and chipped in with 75 points, their attacking flair was in no doubt. The only goals conceded in that amazing four game streak were the two in the semi-final against Dublin and the points shipped were only 36, an average of just nine a game - so it was no surprised they went into the provincial final believing they could overturn the previous 1-11 to 1-16 loss to Kildare in round two.

What followed was one of the best, most thrilling games of football where the undoubted best team were taken all the way to penalties where they were denied by a brilliant save from the Kildare goalkeeper.

Tears were shed in the aftermath of that disappointment, but more importantly, lessons were learned and Meath will head to Portlaoise next Saturday with plenty of hope and expectation when they take on a much heralded and highly regarded Cork side.

Many neutrals lamented the fact that by missing out on the Leinster title, Meath were handed the 'tougher' of the All-Ireland quarter-finals against the Munster champions, but the fact is there was nothing between Cork and Kerry in their final which also went to extra-time, just as there was nothing between Meath and Kildare, so the Royals task is pretty much just as tough now as it would have been had they actually won the Larry Murray Cup.

What is unknown are the psychological scars that could remain following the devastating nature of the Kildare loss.

There is no better man than Giles to offer perspective and rationale to any player who is still feeling the hurt. Giles enjoyed the highs and endured the lows in the green and gold. From scoring and missing penalties in All-Ireland senior finals to winning and losing All-Ireland minor deciders. Trevor's been there, done that, so now, more than ever, his impact on the group is crucial.

Harry McGuirk was the unfortunate Meath player who saw his well-struck penalty saved by the Kildare 'keeper in the Leinster final shootout, but what the young Navan O'Mahonys player needs to have reinforced is that without his input and impact Meath would not have been where they were.

McGuirk wears the number six jersey, but drives the team from midfield. A phenomenal footballer, by the time his career with Meath is over he will have created enough good memories to wipe away the disappointment of the missed penalty - he has many bright days ahead of him.

As have a number of others.

You don't concede an average of just nine points in the four games leading up to the Leinster final without having a solid rearguard and central to that is the recovery from injury of John Killoran. The Na Fianna player is a rock at centre and in Niall Rogan and Tomas Clarke, Meath have a no-nonsense defence, capable of causing problems on the counter with the likes of Liam O'Donoghue on the charge.

Up top Milo Stafford's giant presence has been hugely impactful, while the elusiveness of Conn Brennan and the wizardry of Cormac Walsh ensure a potent attack. The strength coming off the bench is also crucial.

Maturity is the key to Cork's Munster win. Their manager Keith Ricken hailed that particular trait following the 1-13 to 0-14 extra-time win over Kerry in their provincial decider.

Much like Meath had endured earlier in their campaign, Cork had hammered Kerry in the group stages, but struggled in the final, trailing 0-0 to 0-4 early on before being pegged back level 0-5 each, at the break.

Jacob Barry proved his eye for a goal as he edged Cork in front in that final, but Kerry went ahead again before Tom Whooley forced extra-time.

In the pouring rain Cork got ahead and stayed there.

Meath will we well warned about Cork. Any ill-discipline around the two-point arc will be punished by goalkeeper Rory Twohig, while Cork have a mean defence and wide variety of potential scorers.

It promises to be another test of nerves for Giles and his side, but no matter what they have already exceeded expectation in a journey that might have a twist and turn yet.