‘I couldn’t be prouder of the players’ - Meath manager looking ahead to next year

Stephen Sheil is not an overexuberant manager. He does not let emotions get in the way and for the most part he remains calm and clearly communicates to his players from the touchline what he wants from them. In some ways his energy matches that of his players on the pitch, a 'keep composed and stick to the process' attitude.

With that in mind it is clear to see why the Carlow native was so proud of the stay calm but never say die attitude that the Royals brought to Saturday’s All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie semi-final clash against Antrim.

While the result did not go Meath’s way, Sheil was adamant in his post-match reflections to express how he could not have asked any more from his players on Saturday and from the year as a whole.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the players. A few weeks ago we were in a relegation battle. We got over the line against Carlow, backed it up against Derry, and put in a super performance today against Antrim. There is so much talent in this side, and we just need to bring it out in them. They went up to Antrim last year and got beaten by 17 or 18 points. There was only seven in it in the end today. Goals win matches, and unfortunately, we conceded too many of them today,” said Sheil.

“I'm so proud of this bunch though. The talent, the belief and camaraderie within this group is phenomenal, and I have never been involved in such a positive set-up. I know I try to bring that positivity aswell but it is the girls themselves that are instilling it. I am delighted with the way it finished overall. Of course, to get to Croke Park would have been lovely, but we went down fighting and they left every fibre we had on the pitch. That is all we could ask for.”

Meath’s first-half display on Saturday was full of energy and intensity. Antrim were overwhelming favourites ahead of the clash but the Royals did not show up just to take part. At half-time, Sheil was relatively pleased by how the contest was playing out but the turning point came after the restart where Antrim outscored the Royals by 1-1 to 0-0 in the first 10 minutes of the second-half. Meath dug in and tried to find a way back into the contest, but they ultimatley fell short.

“I said to the girls last night that we could afford to concede one goal, that we would be in a good place at half-time and that is what happened. Unfortunately, Antrim got a bit of a grip on the game in the first 10 minutes of the second-half and we weren’t able to claw ourselves back into it.

"Maggie (Randle) went down and we had a bit of a pep talk with some of the girls and told them to spread the word around the pitch. They dug in then and fought for everything, but it was too little too late at that stage and we just didn’t have enough time to come back.”

This year Meath have had the perfect balance of experience and youthful exuberence within their ranks. While Sheil is fearful of a few of the older girls hanging up their boots, he is hopeful of keeping the core group together for the 2027 journey.

“We may have a few casualties during the winter but hopefully not. Girls have lives as well, some of them are at that age where they might hang up the boots county-wise and just focus on their club," hinted the manager.

"You couldn’t blame them either and they have brought great service to Meath overall. I am hoping that we can keep this core group together because we have only started this journey and we are only scratching the surface at the moment.

"It would have been nice to get another day out but if we can keep this core group together we will be able to build and we will be there or thereabouts next year.

“Getting the likes of Aoife (Minogue) and Maggie (Randle) involved has been massive. They are just a pleasure to have around the place. Then you have the younger girls aswell, the likes of Ella O’Brien, Anna Kane, Isabel O’Connor and the two Rachels (Moran and O’Neill).

"They all do be laughing and joking and when it comes down to it they put their body on the line and that is what you want. They back each other up, challenge each other and call each other out if the standards are not set. It is just a really positive set-up to be in.”

One positive aspect of the last few games that Sheil noticed was the support that the team got. Sheil is hopeful the following that Meath built up in the latter half of this year can follow through to the start of next year.

“It is a big positive for the year that we are getting bigger crowds at the games. Ourselves and yourselves (the local media) have been pushing it, which has been great," reflected the manager.

"I do think the girls are playing fourth fiddle behind the football, hurling and ladies football. You can see here today though that it means so much for the families and the clubs and everybody involved. There is disappointment today, but everyone is here to give the girls support and congratulate them on the year.

“The thing is though, if this is in the league and you get a defeat the girls are just walking off the pitch and it is not nice. To have that support there over the last few games gives the girls that bit more 'umph' so hopefully we can get more bums on seats throughout next year.”

Sheil will now spend some quality time with his family, complete his duties with a club in Kildare and keep a close eye on the Meath camogie club championships.

“My family, Lisa and the two lads, come to most games. My family sacrificed a lot this year. I will obviously spend some time with them now," said the manager.

"I am involved in a club in Kildare so that will keep me busy as well but I will definitely be following the club scene and championships quite closely and if we can find another player or two that has not come in, Ill be tapping them on the shoulder after a game.

"Hopefully, we will get a big turnout come November or December. We will have trials and meetings at that stage and take it from there.”

Antrim will progress to meet Laois in the All-Ireland Intermediate decider in Croke Park but no one will rule out Meath going one step further in 2027.