Meath can advance against Limerick

AFTER a seven-week wait, Meath will finally get the chance to exorcise the ghost of their Leinster SFC defeat by Wexford when they tackle Limerick in the opening round of All-Ireland SFC qualifiers at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Saturday evening, 7.0. So where exactly were Meath before their bid for a first Leinster title since 2001 was abruptly interrupted in Dr Cullen Park? The aspirations were high following a great run to last term"s All-Ireland SFC semi-final and many believed that 2008 was the year Meath could make a major impact. However, it hasn"t exactly worked out to plan, but Meath are still in the hunt for the ultimate prize and such a possibility is still very much within their grasp. The over-the-top criticism that was bandied around following the capitulation against Wexford was unfair on the players and management. When all factors are taken into consideration, Meath should still firmly believe that they have the minerals to cause plenty of problems for the so-called 'top sides" remaining in the championship. For 125 of the 140 championship minutes played by Meath so far this term they were by far the better team. The style, manner and approach displayed against Carlow and for the majority of the Wexford game highlighted Meath as serious contenders for the Sam Maguire. So why should all that change now? For eight of the 15 minutes that Meath played so poorly against Wexford they had only 14 men on the pitch following the dismissal of Mark Ward against the rampant Slaneysiders, who had their tails up. Meath got caught assuming victory would be theirs and if lessons are learned from that experience then they should be stronger for the experience. Losing to Wexford by a point should not be seen as calamitous. Wexford are the only unbeaten team in the country in 2008. They won NFL Div 3 without losing a game and their magnificent form was underlined by their superb victory over Laois in the Leinster SFC semi-final. Sunday"s test against Dublin will be a tough one, but they are more than capable of passing that exam too. Throw in the added factor that Meath were without five suspended players, at least three of whom would have been certain starters. There were also injuries during the Wexford game to key players Brian Meade and Alan Nestor and their replacements Anthony Moyles and Brian Farrell were not up to full fitness. The intervening weeks haven"t been much kinder to Meath. The CCCC have slapped Kevin Reilly with a four-week ban following his yellow card against Wexford so he is out of Saturday"s game and a shoulder injury to Moyles has also sidelined the Blackhall Gaels man. The loss of Moyles is a massive blow for manager Colm Coyle. The former captain was viewed as being the ideal replacement for Reilly at centre-back, but the injury sustained in last week"s SF challenge defeat by Laois has ruled him out of contention for a place on the starting 15. However, Coyle can welcome back his current captain and goalkeeper Brendan Murphy as well as experienced defenders Niall McKeigue and Seamus Kenny and inspirational midfielder Nigel Crawford. Clann na nGael"s Shane McAnarney is also available after suspension, but a broken nose may limit his chances of making the line-up. With almost a full deck to play with Coyle should be confident of defeating Limerick, but he cannot afford to be complacent. Limerick are a formidable foe and in their own back yard they will not make life easy for Meath. Visiting teams to the Gaelic Grounds never find life a doddle, just ask Cork. The Munster champions were seconds away from not even having a chance to win the crown when they took on Mickey Ned O"Sullivan"s side in the provincial semi-final. With 90 seconds remaining the Rebels trailed by three points and they needed two late, late goals to snatch victory. That form suggests that Limerick are a side capable of defeating any team on their day. However, the question must be asked about their desire for the backdoor. O"Sullivan would have been preparing his team for eight months for that one game against Cork. The first round narrow, 1-8 to 1-5, win over Tipperary was only a warm-up for Limerick"s tilt with Cork. Have they put all their eggs in one basket? If Limerick are hungry to go further then they will test Meath, but if their heads are low and their motivation is gone then they might struggle. There are a lot of factors to consider and if Limerick are not focused then Meath could punish them. Their is plenty of arsenal at Coyle"s disposal to use upon Limerick. Stephen Bray, Cian Ward and Graham Geraghty will strike fear into the hosts defence and if the returning Shane O"Rourke can maintain his recent good form then Meath will have another dimension to add to their game. Peadar Byrne has been Meath"s most productive player in the championship. The break will have left him hungry for more and if his colleagues can match his hunger and determination then their is no reason why Meath can"t continue with their aspirations that were so rudely interrupted by Wexford.