Derry girls to pose formidable obstacle for Royals

Those distinctive red and white or, should that be white and red colours. The colours of Derry that is. When Meath face the Oak Leaf county in the third round of the National Camogie League Div 2A away on Saturday those colours might trigger radical, deep-rooted reactions among some of the players in the green and gold.

It might, for instance, stir nightmarish-type memories of that forgettable day for the Royals last August when they were defeated by the Ulster side in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie final replay in Clones. That was a day when the dream died for the Royals - at least momentarily.

Or those Derry colours might also on Saturday stir up a strong desire in the Meath players to exact revenge for that bitter defeat - and in that way provide a powerful motivation that will drive them on to victory.

While no-one can predict for certain how Meath will fare out against the Oak Leafers on Saturday - one thing is certain. Neil Cole will not be patrolling the sideline as Meath manager.

Cole stepped away from the role last week for "medical reasons" and instead the team's fortunes will be guided by his replacements - his brother Gary Cole and Limerickman Tommy Moloney who take charge of the team as joint managers.

Both men were part of the backroom team put together by Neil when he took over as manager towards the end of last year after his predecessor Brendan Skehan stepped down. Moloney and Gary Cole were brought in as coaches/selectors and now they have to step up and take the reins.

Like Neil, Gary Cole also played for Rathmolyon, wearing the green and white for the best part of 20 years. He has won it all with Rathmolyon including two senior hurling championships, an intermediate hurling championship, a Div 1 league title and numerous under age honours. He will be long remembered as the man who scored a last minute match-winning goal in the 2006 SHC final against Dunboyne. He also managed Rathmolyon.

In more recent times he has been involved with Clann na nGael as a player while also tapping into his deep reservoir of experience to coach players. While he had a distinguished playing career with Rathmolyon back in the day he was still playing this year. He lined out in goals for Clann na nGael when they won the HL Div 5 title, defeating O'Mahonys in the final.

Moloney is someone clearly not afraid of taking on a challenge.

A resident of Monasterevin he is combining his role with the Meath camogie team with coaching the Roscommon senior hurling side who are managed by Clare man Kevin Sammon.

Meath have yet to taste defeat in their National Camogie League Div 2A campaign. They certainly looked in fine form in their opening fixture when they kick started their campaign, and season, with a resounding 1-13 to 0-4 victory over Cavan, Ciara Foley helping herself to 1-5. Talk about a good beginning - but wait.

Instead of getting too carried away with that win - and even the subsequent draw with Westmeath in round two - it should be remembered that Derry defeated Cavan by an even more resounding 3-20 to 1-2. The Ulster side have also defeated Carlow, 1-10 to 1-5, and they will be anxious to maintain their unbeaten run.

Meath are still in the process of building a new team after a number of players left at the end of last season. It's still a work in progress and while that draw with Westmeath, especially, was very encouraging taking on Derry is a big assignment indeed. It may well prove to be a bridge too far.