If Louth can build a bridge and get over the traumatic Sheridangate incident of 2010 then Meath could be in a ‘wee’ spot of bother in Sundays Leinster SFC final (Croke Park 4.15). In what is more a battle of the Brennan’s than battle of the Boyne Louth, similar to Del boy in his famous poker game with Boycey are holding all the aces. For a start they have the games only All Star player in Craig Lennon.
They have consistently beaten Meath of late and have travelled through their Leinster campaign with peaking for the decider a clear aim. Finally they have scoring sensation Sam Mulroy who never seems to have a bad day at the office.
To go back to the start, the Louth manager of 2010 Peter Fitzpatrick this week launched yet another attack on Marty Sludden, the Tyrone referee who wrongly allowed Joe Sheridan’s crucial late goal to stand in that match telling the Irish Independent “He made a mistake but wasn’t man enough to admit it”.
If by this stage the current Louth crew are not aware that an entire county wants revenge ‘Fitzy’s’ outburst will have reminded them and that in itself brings added and unwanted pressure.
If Louth play the occasion rather than the game on Sunday a window of opportunity opens for the Royals and in Matthew Costello, Eoghan Frayne and Jamie Conlon they have a talented trio who can avail of it. Costello’s directness can thrive on Croke Parks wide open spaces.
The big question mark over Meath is can they reprise their performance against Dublin, they’ll certainly need to.
On the, admittedly simplistic, basis that Meath are better at raising orange flags they can edge what should be a tight tussle.
Meath Live spoke to a number of former players to get their thoughts on the Leinster Final.
COYLE IMPRESSED WITH THE INTENSITY OF THE TACKLING
Martin O’Connell and Colm Coyle Meath legends.
Colm Coyle has been really impressed this year with the teams performance earlier in the national league, ”They played really well at the start, even though they fell away. The one thing I really liked was the intensity of the tackling against Dublin. People will say they are not the force they once were but you have to remember in Leinster, Meath and the other counties were coming up against one of the greatest teams of all time. Six All Irelands, back to back Leinster titles since 2011.
Meath have been in the doldrums for a long time and the underage structure is bringing in good young players. of course Jordan Morris and Jack Kinlough are a loss but you have Caulfield, Gray, Frayne, Costello and there will be more coming through.
” The new rules certainly helps the Meath style of play, moving the ball long and early and we have the players to get the scores.
Meath have lost to Louth on the last two occasions, Louth have been very good, but you have to learn from your losses and that’s important.
”To me the 2010 game is of no relevance, you don’t look back, everybody can go back in time to an injustice” On a prediction he ticks the box for a Meath victory. Coyle is enjoying the new rules, it was getting to a stage I’d watch a soccer match rather than the over and back that had taken over the game. ” He won’t be at the game but he will be tuned in. The last time Colm played for Meath was back in 1998 at 35 years of age, he came into the Meath team at 18. He missed the Leinster Final in 1987 as he had emigrated to Chicago but came back onto the panel that year.
JOE POINTS TO CONFIDENCE IN AN EMERGING MEATH TEAM
Joe Sheridan is really looking forward to the game and will be in the stands with family and friends. ”The two teams are very close ”but he shades the verdict to a Meath win.” This Meath team has grown in stature and confidence is the key factor to winning any final. The management and players are getting it right. With the new rules suiting the long range footballers and now you have one on ones with footballers like James Condon able to take on his man. It makes for a far better game. Louth have great forwards too, look at Sam Mulroy and what he brings to Louth.” the former full forward star adds.
He won’t be on the field this time round after an absence of 14 years since Meath have won a Leinster but he thinks Meath will shade it on the day. The simple fact is there will be new Leinster Champions travelling out of Dublin. Expect a large crowd in red and green and gold travelling out of Dublin with one of them with silver in their hands!
