Meath set for first test as NFL campaign starts

After a disappointing campaign in 2011, Meath manager Seamus McEnaney will be hoping that the infamous 'second season syndrome' will work in reverse when his side open their NFL Div 2 campaign with a difficult home test against his former charges from Monaghan at Páirc Táilteann on Saturday night, 7.0. McEnaney was in charge of the Farney men for five years and enjoyed many highs and lows, but his appointment as Meath manager in late 2010 has seen him endure some of his more difficult managerial days and with a tough NFL Div 2 fixture schedule it is unlikely to get any easier. A dismal 2011 saw McEnaney win just once in the league and twice in the All-Ireland qualifiers, but next Saturday night he will hope to build on the positive start to 2012 with a victory. The reason for optimism is that Meath have enjoyed wins over Louth and Wexford in the O'Byrne Cup and despite the slip up against a sharper DCU outfit in the semi-final, McEnaney is confident that he now has a greater knowledge of the level of talent available to him and he is looking forward to the challenges ahead. "We had a disappointing result against DCU and an even more disappointing performance, but I think we now have a better foundation going into the NFL than we did last year. "I know my players a lot better and while we will be without more experienced lads like Shane O'Rourke and Jamie Queeney, we will have Joe Sheridan and Cian Ward back and we will be hoping to give them game time," said McEnaney. "We are really looking forward to the start of the NFL because form has shown in recent years that teams that have done well in the league have gone on to do well in the championship, there is a strong parallel there. "My only ambition at this moment is to win the game against Monaghan on Saturday. I know it's the old cliche, but we will take it one game at a time. "We have made no secret of the fact that we want to win every game. That is why the lads were so disappointed after losing to DCU. We will aim to win every game, starting with Monaghan next Saturday night in Navan," he said. Monaghan will be just the first of seven tough assignments for Meath, but they are sure to pinpoint the first two games against Monaghan and Westmeath and the final outing against Louth as 'must-win' games if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrape. The NFL Div 2 is set to be very competitive with Kildare and Derry coming to Navan while trips to Galway and Tyrone are also sure to be tough. There could well be a fine line between being involved in a promotion push or a relegation battle and McEnaney is aware of the importance of getting off to a good start. "This year's league will be very tough and we need to have tough opposition ahead of the championship, but our aim will be to win the games. It will be very competitive this year and Monaghan will be a difficult start because they have been a Div 1 team for the last two or three years," said McEnaney. "They will be difficult opposition for Meath. There is no getting away from the fact that we were very disappointing last year in Div 2, but I think we are in a lot better position this year. "Every Sunday or Saturday night is going to be difficult. The games in Div 2 will be like championship matches. It is the division of death I suppose and every point will be vital. "There will be a thin line between relegation and promotion, we will be hoping to push for promotion, but it will be taken one game at a time starting with Monaghan in Navan next Saturday. "I assume there will be a huge Meath and Monaghan crowd in Navan next Saturday and I expect it to be really competitive. "Having four home games is very important. We like to play in Navan and the supporters really get behind us there. We have had big crowds at our O'Byrne Cup games, but it has been difficult for them to get going because we have been trying a few things out. "I think by next Saturday the players and the supporters will have a different edge about them for the start of the league, especially with the first game being against Monaghan," he said. Saturday's clash with Monaghan will bring added spice with former Meath boss Eamonn O'Brien now helping out former Trim manager Eamonn McEneaney in Monaghan. However, Seamus McEnaney is playing down the significance of the game for him. His sole aim is to secure a win for Meath and while he agrees there will be some extra hype because of the links between the two counties he is confident that both sides can expect a tough competitive game and a win is vital to set up the rest of the campaign. "Next Saturday's game is not about me personally or about playing against my home county. "It is all about getting points on the board for Meath and that is my only priority," insisted McEnaney. "The 2012 season really kicks off next Saturday night, there will be a serious competitive edge to the game and that will be spiced up by having me in the Meath camp and Eamonn O'Brien involved with Monaghan. So I'm sure there will be plenty of excitement and we will be hoping for the win. "Playing Monaghan will add an extra bit of spice to the contest amongst the supporters and in the media because of my links to Monaghan, but it really is just about getting two points on the board for Meath," concluded the Meath manager. Meath (probable) - David Gallagher; Gary O'Brien, Bryan Menton, Mickey Burke; Cormac McGuinness, Shane McAnarney, Chris O'Connor; Mark Ward, Conor Gillespie; Seamus Kenny, Graham Reilly, Brian Meade; Paddy Gilsenan, Cian Ward, Stephen Bray.