Trip to Tralee could revive hurler’s promotion prospects
NHL DIV 2A PREVIEW
Tralee has not been a happy hunting ground for Meath in recent years, but if Nick Weir's side can manage to grab a rare victory in the kingdom of Kerry on Sunday then they will be right back in the NHL Div 2A promotion picture.
Following the 16-point drubbing by Offaly in round one such talk of promotion would have been dismissed as lunacy and while it is still very much a long shot the prospect of making the jump up a division isn't as far-fetched as some might suggest.
Almost every pundit to a man and woman predicted Offaly would top the division and the runner-up spot would be between Kerry and Carlow, but the results from the opening two rounds have blown the group wide open.
As expected, Offaly are on course to romp to promotion.
They followed their hammering of Meath in round one with a drubbing of Kerry last weekend and when you compare Meath's performance with Kerry's against the Faithful it gives cause for optimism ahead of next Sunday's long trip south.
Meath lost 3-9 to 3-25 against Offaly and the general consensus after the game was that the performance was bitterly disappointing and well below par. However, Offaly followed that victory with a 2-28 to 0-13 win over Kerry, so that would indicate that Offaly are clearly vastly superior to both counties.
Last year Kerry beat Meath by five points (0-13 to 0-8) in poor conditions in Trim and then in the Joe McDonagh Cup the Kingdom doubled that winning tally against Meath to 10 points (1-20 to 0-13).
However, on the evidence of displays against Offaly that gap might be closing.
Kerry, who were runners-up in the Joe McDonagh Cup last year when they lost to Antrim, started their campaign with victory over Down, scoring 4-18 in a scintillating display.
However, last Sunday's hammering by Offaly was a setback.Down recovered to stun Carlow who had beaten Wicklow in round one and judging by Meath's performance when seeing off Wicklow there will be nothing between the three sides - which makes next Sunday's game in Kerry even more crucial. As always Kerry will rely on Shane Nolan for the bulk of their scores and if Meath can keep him quiet they will be in with a shout.
At the other end of the field Jack Regan, Mark O'Sullivan and Gavin McGowan look in fine form and with Adam Gannon also impressing off the bench the manager has plenty of options.
There shouldn't be any lacking in motivation ahead of next Sunday's clash and if Meath are on top form they are more than capable of scoring a rare win in Tralee.
RESULTS SO FAR
First round - Offaly 3-25, Meath 3-9; Kerry 4-18, Down 0-19; Carlow 3-19, Wicklow 0-17.
Second round - Meath 0-20, Wicklow 0-11; Offaly 2-28, Kerry 0-13; Down 3-20, Carlow 3-18.
NEXT UP
Sunday - Kerry v Meath; Carlow v Offaly;Wicklow v Down.