O'Byrne Cup defence starts with Wicklow test

For the first time since 2007 Meath will open their year in defence of the O'Byrne Cup, There is a sense of renewed optimism in the Royal camp ahead of next Sunday's opening round clash against Wicklow at Pairc Tailteann, 2pm.

Since it became a group style competition in 2013 the O'Byrne Cup has become significantly more important.
Now, with the 11 county teams and five college sides involved, it as vital preparation for both the NFL and the Sigerson Cup.
For Meath, this year's competition conveys added importance with new manager Andy McEntee.
The O’Byrne Cup will provide the manager with an early opportunity to run his rule over several new additions to his panel ahead of what will be a vitally important NFL Div 2 campaign.
Last year Meath claimed the O'Byrne Cup for the first time since 2006 with a final victory over Longford and in doing so became the second most successful team in the competition with nine wins, just two behind Kildare's tally of 11 and one more than Dublin.
This year the emphasis will be on preparation for the league and unearthing a few new players who might add some steel to a Meath challenge which softened badly as 2016 progressed.
Soft is not a word associated with Meath and the new manager is keen to restore the Royal’s reputation as a tough team to beat and McEntee is certainly saying – and so far doing - all the right things to point the county in the right direction.
McEntee doesn't feel Meath should accept being second best, his aim to be the pinnacle, the side most capable of knocking Dublin from their perch – to para-phrase former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
However, that is not going to be easy, but McEntee doesn't believe in easy and already his extended panel of over 50 players has endured torturous six-night-a-week sessions for a few months in a bid to restore Meath to where the former Nobber and Dunboyne player firmly believes they belong.
Pre-season challenges against Louth and Offaly served a purpose as McEntee congregated his squad.
There was the downside that his nephew James McEntee suffered a hand injury in the game versus Louth and is likely to miss several more weeks before returning to training.
Subsequently Meath played back-to-back challenges against Roscommon and Westmeath with different panels and came away with two impressive wins.
So already the manager has a headache he is happy to have.
Sooner, rather than later, McEntee will have to cut his panel to 32 or 33 players and next Sunday's game will give him the opportunity to see who will fit into his style as will the game on Wednesday 11th January against DIT in Ashbourne (7.30pm) and against Laois in Stradbally on Saturday 14th January at 7pm.
McEntee is delighted with the effort his players have put into their preseason work and he is hopeful it will pay off.
“So far the signs are positive and the players have responded magnificently,” commented McEntee.
“The support we’re getting from them is fantastic, the support we’re getting from the county board is fantastic also.
“We’d like to think everything is in place for us to see how much progress we can make.
“We understand it’s a massive challenge to get to a level where we can compete with the likes of Dublin, but everybody is relishing it.
“The Meath public love their football and they’re desperate for a team to support.
“I think they are reasonable supporters. They’re hopeful that we can turn things around and start pointing it in the right direction.
“We have absolutely no complaints, we’re getting great support from around the county, and the response from players has been top class.
“Anybody that is in there at the moment is doing everything that has been asked of them and a little bit more,' he added.
That long road to the championship starts this Sunday and one thing is for certain – under Andy McEntee no one will shy away from a battle, not on his watch.

The Meath team to face wicklow on Sunday is:

Meath - Jack Hannigan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), Donnacha Tobin (Blackhall Gaels), Mickey Burke (Longwood); Conor Downey (Na Fianna), Shane McEntee (Dunboyne), Sean Curran (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Bryan Menton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Cian O’Brien (Ratoath); Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey), Graham Reilly (St Colmcille’s), Paddy Kennelly (Dunderry); Kevin Ross (Castletown), Brian Sheridan (Seneschalstown), Bryan McMahon (Ratoath).