Meath forwards can silence the loud supporters

Meath will face Louth in a Leinster SFC final for only the third time in their 122-year history in the provincial competition. The novelty surrounding Sunday's Leinster SFC final has sparked a huge frenzy and the east is awake once again following five Dublin-dominated years in Leinster. Louth's semi-final victory over Westmeath sparked huge celebrations amongst their strong support. It is 50 years since their last appearance in a provincial decider. Meath's wait for a final spot has been brief, in comparison, but the relief at ending nine-years in the wilderness was palpable. Louth's rivalry with Meath is more intense than Meath's with Louth. Over the last 50 years the counties have clashed seven times in championship action with Louth managing just one victory, all of 35 years ago, back in 1975. In that period every win over the Royal County, and there hasn't been that many of them, in either league, O'Byrne Cup or even challenge matches has been greeted with renewed optimism. Last January the sides met in a challenge game on a frozen pitch at Blackrock. Louth took the spoils in the first outing of the year and the home supporters cheered the result as if it had been a championship win, that's what a win over Meath means. Already there has been talk that bonfires are being prepared from Drogheda to Omeath, from Hackballscross to Termonfeckin. Louth are hungry, determined and committed to ending 53 years without a Leinster title. All the plaudits are being lauded on manager Peter Fitzpatrick for the fantastic job he has done with the side, but he will be the first to acknowledge the ground work laid by former manager Eamonn McEneaney. McEneaney took over Louth when they were on their knees, He spent five-years developing structures and systems within the county. He enjoyed little success on the playing field, but now Louth are reaping the harvest. From the outset, 2010 looked like being another year of mediocrity for the Wee County. They surrendered their O'Byrne Cup title to DCU and finished fourth in NFL Div 3 following an erratic campaign that mixed the good with the bad. The good came in the form of impressive wins over Wexford, Cavan, Fermanagh and Offaly, but the manner of the defeats by Roscommon and Antrim could be a cause for concern. There was a decent performance when falling to Sligo by a point. Their championship form has propelled them to the Leinster final. The opening round victory over Longford, on the same bill as Meath's win over Offaly, wasn't impressive. It depicted a side that looked nervous and afraid of defeat, but they emerged with a 1-11 to 1-6 win. The quarter-final victory over Kildare at Pairc Tailteann made the rest of the country sit up and take notice. Kildare were strongly fancied for provincial honours, but Louth swept them aside (1-22 to 1-16). The semi-final win over Westmeath was more a case of just getting the job done. There were times when Louth looked very good. They threw the ball around well and in towering midfielders Paddy Keenan and Brian White they have match-winners. The midfield pairing contributed six points from play and they will cause problems on Sunday, especially if Meath fail to win primary possession. A weakness exposed by Dublin. Westmeath stayed in contention with goals, but Louth were the better team and deserved their final berth. The Royals are an up-and-coming force and will not take anything for granted. In May Meath were 15/2 to win Leinster, now they are 2/9. Three months ago some bookmakers would have given 50/1 about Eamonn O'Brien's side to win Sam Maguire, now they're 11/1. There's no such thing as a poor bookie! The fall in betting prices reflects the rise of Meath's stature. The three wins in Leinster for the first time in nine years have come with an accumulated scoring difference of 31 points. Meath recorded 10-point wins over Offaly and Laois. The 11-point victory against Dublin leaves Meath as hot favourites to claim their 21st Leinster title, but who will give them the key to the door. Much has been said about the potent Meath attacking unit and there is no debate that the outstanding abilities of Stephen Bray, Joe Sheridan, Cian Ward and Shane O'Rourke have been the cornerstone of the Royals success. The magnificent form of newcomer Graham Reilly has been the revelation of the campaign. The St Colmcille's man has been the stand-out forward so far and he is sure to cause Louth problems. While the forward division has set the world alight, it is the apparent improvement in defence that has given Meath the platform to advance to the Leinster final. No scores conceded from play in the second-half of the replay win over Laois and only five points conceded from play against Dublin suggests that Meath's rearguard is taking shape. Louth will cause problems with their rampaging midfield duo of White and Keenan and talented forwards Shane Lennon, Colm Judge and JP Rooney, but the return of Kevin Reilly has added substance to the Meath defence. Add in the good form of Chris O'Connor and Eoghan Harrington and all the fingers point to Meath being able to subdue the Louth attack. If that happens, then the responsibility for victory will rest with the Meath forwards. With such a potent force up front, Meath should have enough to inflict another year of disappointment on their Louth neighbours. Meath (probable): Brendan Murphy; Chris O'Connor, Kevin Reilly, Eoghan Harrington; Gary O'Brien, Anthony Moyles, Caoimhin King; Nigel Crawford, Brian Meade; Seamus Kenny, Joe Sheridan, Graham Reilly; Cian Ward, Shane O'Rourke, Stephen Bray.