Time to rally around the Royals - come on supporters

Meath GAA supporters will have an opportunity to show just how much they care about the team when they have to travel to Derry on Saturday week for an All-Ireland SFC qualifier.

The evidence suggests that there won't be too many making the trip based on the amount of complaining and negative remarks about last Sunday's display against Dublin.

Maybe the so-called loyal supporters could follow the example of the hurling supporters who have endured years of frustration and no success but still turned up at Croke Park last Saturday where they created a feverish atmosphere that really lifted the team.

'Sing when we're winning' seems to be the new tradition that is unfolding amongst the football fraternity?

The formbook does not favour a Meath victory against Derry so support for the team will be crucial.

Crowds at qualifier games have been disappointing, but just imagine how much of a boost it would be for the players if, when they run out at Owenbeg, the place is a sea of green and gold flags.

The game against Derry could be described as a 'last chance saloon' for the supporters, so why not start to build a bit of positivity around the game and help to get Meath football back on track and into the next round of the qualifiers?

That formbook suggests that Meath will be the complete underdogs - they haven't won a qualifier game for almost five years.

When Meath run out on to the pitch at Owenbeg it will be their first All-Ireland SFC (qualifier) encounter against hosts Derry.

Meath's record against Ulster counties (in the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers) shows that of the 11 games they played between 2002 and 2015, they managed only four victories - Fermanagh, Monaghan, Antrim and Down.

Meath lost against Donegal (2002), Fermanagh (2003 and 2004), Cavan (2005), Tyrone (2013 and 2015) and Armagh (2014).

This will be Meath's 28th game in the qualifiers and manager Mick O'Dowd's fourth.

The manager is still searching for his first victory.

Meath's last victory in the qualifiers was achieved in 2011 when then manager Seamus McEnaney saw his team win against Galway by 0-11 to 0-10, but the Royals exited at the next hurdle when they lost to Kildare (0-14 to 2-11).

LAST FIVE (LLLLL)

2011 - Meath 0-14, Kildare 2-11.

2012 - Meath 1-12, Laois 1-15.

2013 - Meath 2-9, Tyrone 0-17.

2014 - Meath 0-13, Armagh 0-18.

2015 - Meath 0-11, Tyrone 1-10.

MATCH DETAILS

Saturday 9th July

Owenbeg - Derry v Meath, All-Ireland SFC 2A, 2.30pm extra-time.