Manager O’Brien gutted that journey has ended
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Meath Neil McGinley sets up an attack during Saturday’s Leinster MFC loss to Offaly at Pairc Tailteann. Photo: GERRY SHANAHAN-WWW.QUIRKE.IE Gerry ShanahanImage 2 of 4
Robbie Finnegan lays off possession for Meath during Saturday’s Leinster MFC clash with Offaly. Gerry ShanahanImage 3 of 4
Meath’s Tadgh Martyn retains possession during Saturday’s Leinster MFC clash with Offaly at Pairc Tailteann. Gerry ShanahanImage 4 of 4
Meath minor manager Derek O’Brien discusses statistic with Shane O’Brien and members of his management team. Gerry ShanahanLEINSTER MFC
ANALYSIS
THE devastation on the faces of the Meath players as they filtered out of the dressing room in ones and twos said it all, writes Sean Wall.
Most looked simply shell shocked as they thanked their coaches and selectors on the way out. Their day had turned from joy to despair in a twinkle and even though they still have a game against Kildare to fulfil it was effectively the end of the road as far as this group of players was concerned.
The pride and joy of representing their county at minor level had been cut short in a cruel and indeed freakish manner.
Though it will continue to hurt in the coming days and maybe even weeks a valuable lesson will have been learned. How often have they heard it before? A game is never over until the final whistle!
It was also a devastating blow for manager Derek O’Brien who had nurtured this group of players from under-14 level.
“It’s a very hard one to take,” the St Ultan’s clubman admitted. “We didn’t really turn up in the opening 20 minutes but we were still in the game. Offaly went a point ahead and we were finding it difficult to penetrate their defence.
“When we eventually got in on goal we won a penalty and the result of that gave us a lead at half-time.
“We made a couple of changes at the break which we thought would have a positive effect. We got rid of the sweeper and went to a conventional 15.
“We got ahead again and it was probably against the run of play that they got their second goal. The lads showed great character to fight back in the closing stages to put over a couple of points and then snatch that goal.
“It was a really well taken goal from Michael O’Sullivan, he could have taken the easy option and gone for a point to draw the teams level.”
That Meath were unable to clear their lines from that late free will probably haunt the manager for some time to come.
“It was really unfortunate that we weren’t able to get that ball clear, especially as we had worked so hard to be ahead at such a crucial stage. On the day a few different things just didn’t fall our way. The injury to Michael McIvor so early in the game was a big loss. Unfortunately he suffered concussion and couldn’t come back on again,” concluded O'Brien.