'We will be ready to give Newbridge a good rattle next Sunday'

Simon Deevy and North Meath are preparing for a title deciding clash with Newbridge next Sunday in the Leinster League Div 2B.

TOM GANNON

North Meath head coach and long-time stalwart of the club, Simon Deevy was pleased with his side's performance after they got the better of Portlaoise in Leinster League Div 2B on Sunday afternoon. After Sunday's contest, Tom Gannon spoke to Deevy to reflect on the performance and lookd ahead to that all importent clash with Newbridge.

The Kells-based outfit were a little bit sluggish out of the starting blocks but when they did settle into the game, they were dominant. As Deevy explained though, there may have been a few cobwebs still in the system after the festive break.

"It's our first game back after Christmas so there was always going to be a few errors and mistakes. The lads dug deep and credit to them it paid off. We got the bonus point as well so I am very pleased."

Less than 24 hours after lining out in goals for the Meath seniors in a challenge match against Kerry, Oisin McDermott produced a man-of-the-match performance. Playing at fly-half, McDermott's kicking from the hands was phenomenal and Deevy was keen to praise the young athlete for his fantastic all-round performance.

"Oisin is joint captain this year and his leadership is brilliant. The lads respect him a lot. He is an athlete and his kicking gets us out of a lot of holes. His passing around the pitch is fantastic and he was brilliant today."

North Meath were handed a golden opportunity midway through the second half after Portlaoise was temporarily reduced to 14 men following a yellow card decision. The men in black and amber did try to capitalise on this opportunity and they spent most of the 10-minute period in their opponent's territory. However, they failed to register a score. Deevy admitted that it is something that he will have to work on with his young squad of players.

"When they went down to 14 men, we were camped on their try line and inside their 22 but we didn't manage to get a score. We are a young squad, we just need to get that composure and strike when we are in the red zone."

Next up for North Meath is a top-of-the-table clash with Newbridge. North Meath remain the only undefeated team in the league however Newbridge still sit top due to the fact that the Kildare outfit have accumulated more bonus points. With only three games remaining, the fact that the two sides are so close at the top of the league effectively means that next week's contest could potentially be a title decider.

"We are still undefeated. Newbridge are still slightly ahead of us as a result of a few bonus points. We play them next Sunday and that will be a big test. They have been top all year so that will be a big game next week."

Deevy remains confident ahead of that massive game next Sunday. He believes his side can certainly give Newbridge a 'good rattle'.

"I'm confident ahead of that game against Newbridge. We beat them here the last day and we were a couple of points short of our best that day. We will work hard in training this week and we will be ready to give Newbridge a good rattle next Sunday. We will see what happens after that."