'We very much know how to win against them as well'

Duggan looking forward to taking on Kingdom next Saturday

It's often said that familiarity breeds contempt, but that certainly isn't the case for the footballers of Meath and Kerry as they prepare for yet another huge meeting in next Saturday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final at Tralee, 5.15pm.

Since Meath returned to the top flight for the 2021 season they have won two All-Ireland titles and featured in another final. In the years when Meath didn't get to the final it was Kerry who ended tyheir involvement, whilke the second Btrendan Martin Cup in 2022 was secured with a final victory over the Kingdom.

Meath and Kerry are certainly familiar foes, and despite their frustratingly inconsistent year, Emma Duggan believes that familiarity will help Meath when they head to tralee next Saturday.

After defeating Kerry in the '22 final by 3-10 to 1-7, Meath lost out to the Kingdom in successive campaigns in '23 and '24 by 0-10 to 2-8 and 0-8 to 0-16 respectively before last yuear's remarkable 2-12 to 1-9 semi-final win which saw Meath defy the odds to reach another All-Ireland final.

A lot has changed since those recent heady days of All-Ireland wins, but one of the few things to remain consistent is Emma Duggan.

The Dunboyne star is the only survivor from the team that started the famous '21 win over Dublin, while herself and Megan Thynne are the only players from the 20 that featured in the '22 that is likely to start next Saturday.

Despite that massive turnover in players, Duggan has admitted that the set up is quite refreshing and she believes that the future remains bright for Meath.

"There's probably only a few of us left. Maybe five or six, actually, I'm not sure on the calculations. We certainly have lost more than we're probably left with, but that's just part and parcel of the game," said Duggan at a media event to mark the extension of PwC's sponsorship with the GAA / GPA All-Stars and Camogie All-Stars.

"I think this year has been actually quite refreshing in a lot of aspects. We've seen a lot of young girls come into the team, and they're mad to play for Meath, and they've really, really great attitudes.

"They're coming to training week-on-week, mad to improve and put their stamp on it as well, and looking to put their hand up to start.

"I think that's refreshing in its own way. Of course, we'd love to have the girls available to us, but these are the cards that we've been dealt, and we're trying to build on the team that's there.

"There has been a lot of turnover, but, equally, there's still a big group of us there that have a lot of experience, and with experience comes a responsibility. It's up to us to take those younger girls under our wing and try to bring them on because that's the group that's there."

At just 24 years old Duggan is the most recognisable player in the squad, but there is still a wealth of experience with Thynne and captain Niamh Gallogly part of those glory days in '21 and '22 and others like Aine Sheridan and Orlaith Sheehy with this well-trodden path.

"Up until about two years ago, I'd say I was one of the younger girls, maybe looking at the older girls for a few tips and tricks," said Duggan.

"Suddenly, I'm one of them players now as well. It does change very, very quickly, but I think that is the game right now.

"Everyone's losing players, and suddenly you have to step up. You just have to be ready for that. I have been around, this is my eighth season, so I've no excuses. I have the experience there, so it is up to girls like myself to step up and take a bit of a lead.

"That's the group that are looking to play for Meath and looking to win the All-Ireland. It's about being patient with them, filling them with confidence every week, getting them loads of game time, throwing them into the biggest challenges, which they are.

"They're playing against the best players in the country week on week, and they're going to learn loads from this year. I expect next year to maybe get better results than we have this year. That's the plan."

Before looking ahead to next year though, Duggan is excited by the challenge facing Meath when they take on Kerry next Saturday and while the familiarity between the two sides won't breed contempt, the Meath star believes that knowing Kerry so well will be a benefit.

"We've played them in two All-Ireland quarter-finals before in Tralee, so we know what it's like down there. It's a very, very tough place to go, we probably don't have the best history of playing in Tralee either," reflected Duggan.

"We are motivated to put that right and to build on things as well for us. It'll be a massive, massive test for our young group at the minute, but we want to go a step further.

"Kerry are, as everyone knows, a great footballing county. They're very, very skilful, they're good footballers, and they're good kick passers of the ball. We know the way they play, and we know how to lose against them, but we very much know how to win against them as well.

"We'll be looking to prepare like that for the next two weeks, and very much focused on ourselves as well. I think we put in a pretty strong performance on Saturday, so spirits are high, and you can't beat that either," concluded Duggan.