Leinster SFC: Knowledge is power for Summerhill as Keegan Cup holders chase final four spot

The malaise of Meath teams in the Leinster Club SFC is well documented, but next Sunday current Keegan Cup holders Summerhill will bid to secure a semi-final spot when they travel to Hawkfield, just outside Newbridge, to take on three-in-a-row Kildare champions Naas.

The first hurdle is often the hardest for Meath champions in the provincial senior club campaign with seven of the previous 12 champions falling first time out, so Summerhill's win over Tullamore is a massive boost.

With one win in the bag, and the celebrations after winning their first Keegan Cup in 10 years well and truly out of their system, Summerhill will be focused on Naas and booking a place in a semi-final against either Emmet Og from Longford or St Loman's from Westmeath.

However, it would be folly of Summerhill to look beyond a formidable Naas side that reached the Leinster Club SFC final in 2021 where they lost to Kilmacud Crokes and who lost out in last year's quarter-final, also to eventual champions Kilmacud Crokes.

There will be no shortage of insight into the Kildare champions from within the Summerhill club.

Former manager Declan McCabe, who coached Summerhill to Keegan Cup crowns in 2011 and 2013 and father of current Summerhill player Diarmuid, was manager of Naas in 2017 and should have plenty of inside knowledge on the Kildare champions.

McCabe is currently manager of Maynooth who faced Naas in round one of the Kildare SFC back in August where they were narrowly beaten 2-9 to 1-16, so he should be able to pass on some information to current Summerhill boss Conor Gillespie.

Kilcock, who also competed in the Kildare SFC, are managed by Davy Dalton, father of Summerhill player David, and even though he didn't clash with Naas in the championship he should be able to offer some advice if the Summerhill management need it.

Another man with inside knowledge of Kildare football is current Summerhill coach and former Lilywhites u-20 manager Brian Flanagan, who left that role in July.

As if that wasn't enough Keegan Cup winning manager with Wolfe Tones Micheal McDermott was manager of the Celbridge side that lost to Naas in the Kildare SFC final and he might be also willing to pass some of his extensive knowledge on.

With such a wealth of advice to call upon Summerhill certainly won't be walking into the unknown when they travel to Hawkfield, but that won't make their task any easier against what is a supremely talented Naas side, hell bent on gaining revenge against Kilmacud Crokes.

Naas struggled to overcome plucky underdogs Celbridge in their county final. With just two minutes left on the clock Naas led by one and looked under a bit of pressure as Celbridge built momentum.

However, like true champions Naas turned on the style in the closing minutes, clipped over another point to extend their advantage and held on with ease.

An hour before that victory for Naas in Dr Cullen Park, the temporary home of Kildare finals, Summerhill were labouring to victory over Tullamore, but with that win in the bag they now have a platform to build on.

Summerhill are a complete side. There isn't an over-reliance on their defence or their attack to bail them out of trouble. They are superbly balanced with a perfect blend in midfield to provide both defensive solidity and attacking creativity.

In Ronan and Ross Ryan Summerhill have the best spine of a defence in Meath football. Throw in Adam McDonnell and Padhraig Geraghty on the wings and they can quickly transition from being a strong defensive unit to a formidable attack.

Micheal Byrne and the excellent Adam Flanagan have dominated midfield in almost every game and if they can do so against Paul McDermott and James Burke on Sunday then expect Barry Dardis, Eoghan Frayne, Conor Frayne and Conor Lyons to cause plenty of problems for Brian Byrne, Mark Maguire, Eoin Doyle and goalkeeper Luke Mullins.

Naas have a significant attacking threat of their own and Daragh Kirwan will test Summerhill's defensive fortitude like no one else has this year. Alex Beirne is also a serious threat, while any indiscretions inside 45 metres will be punished with Mullins well able to kick frees from distance.

This promises to be Summerhill's toughest test all year, but it is one they are more than capable of negotiating and if knowledge is power then they won't be found wanting in the skills department either.