Despite the negatives Meath can produce a positive

It has been a long time since fear and trepidation were the over-riding emotions ahead of a Meath first round Leinster SFC encounter, but Sunday's clash against Wicklow at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, 3.30, fits into that slot. Not since the 1980s has confidence been so low. But Meath supporters should not be so pessimistic, the team has been in this position before. The reaction to relegation has been over-the-top. Meath has operated at that level in the past and from such a lowly perch made a significant impression on the All-Ireland series. The reasons to be fearful cannot be ignored and low confidence could count against Meath when they tackle NFL Div 4 champions Wicklow at the scene of Meath's greatest capitulation in recent years. Back in 2008, Meath travelled to Sunday's venue to take on Wexford in the Leinster SFC. Much was expected of Colm Coyle's side after they had reached the All-Ireland SFC semi-finals the previous year. All was going to plan when they led by 10 points early in the second-half, then disaster struck. After Joe Sheridan had a 'goal' disallowed everything seemed to go against Meath as they stumbled to a horrific defeat. Seven weeks later they were humiliated by Limerick in what proved to be Coyle's last game in charge. Add in the abysmal league form that saw Meath relegated from NFL Div 2 and it is easy to see why the supporters will make the journey more in hope than expectation. The start of the NFL Div 2 campaign promised so much with Monaghan shooting themselves in the foot by kicking so many wides as Meath impressed in their first outing. That was followed by a demolition job on an under-strength Westmeath team and then a week later the best performance of the lot ended with a narrow loss to Kildare. That heartbreaking defeat to the Lilies was the turning point. In an instant Meath went from being cocks of the walk to hen pecked stragglers. Everything that had previously turned to gold quickly sludged to mud and the downward spiral of form and confidence continued with defeats by Galway, Derry, Tyrone and ultimately Louth which led to relegation. All the ifs, ands, buts and maybes can be offered as reasons for failure, but ultimately Meath found themselves in a corner and couldn't fight their way out of it. If Shane McAnarney's point attempt had sailed over the bar instead of striking the upright, or if he had been awarded a free after being fouled as he kicked for the score then Meath, most probably, would have beaten Kildare. Instead McAnarney's effort rebounded off the woodwork, Kildare broke and Ollie Lyons fisted the winning point. Instead of celebrating what would likely have been inevitable promotion, Meath now find themselves at an all-time low and in the debacle that followed the defeat to Louth and subsequent relegation they became the laughing stock of the country. The Co Board tried, and failed, to remove Seamus McEnaney as manager and replace him with Sean Boylan. That whole sorry episode left a sour taste. Now, that storm cloud has blown over, Meath are on a mission and McEnaney is determined to restore his reputation. The Monaghan man has freshened up his back room team by bringing in former Tipperary manager and Kerry native John Evans as coach and he has also called on Trevor Giles to assist with his forwards who now number Joe Sheridan and Peadar Byrne. Following a three-week break for club championship games the players have returned rejuvenated. They have bought into the plan being implemented by Evans and the outlook is a lot brighter. The loss of Mark Ward to injury and the continued absence of Shane O'Rourke has weakened the Meath pack, but McEnaney and his management team believe they have the quality to make a serious impression in this year's championship, starting with Wicklow next Sunday. Kevin Reilly's clean bill of health has been a major boost and with Bryan Menton settling into inter-county football very well, Meath have a solid backbone with Mickey Burke, Caoimhin King, Gary O'Brien, Shane McAnarney and Chris O'Connor also supplementing the defence. Ward's injury has opened the door for Conor Gillespie, Tom Walsh and Byrne to stake a claim for the midfield spot along with Brian Meade, but it is in attack where Meath have the flair to trouble anyone. On their top form Stephen Bray, Cian Ward and Graham Reilly would make it onto any team in the country. Paddy Gilsenan continues to grow in stature and is a valuable ball-winning asset and a potent threat. Throw in the hard working exploits of Seamus Kenny and Donncha Tobin and Meath have every reason to believe they will succeed. Wicklow will bring their own threats. Despite only managing a draw with London in a challenge match last weekend, manager Harry Murphy knows his side are capable of upsetting the odds in Carlow. With players like Leighton Glynn, James Stafford and Seanie Furlong they have major attacking threats. After losing to Waterford and Fermanagh in the league campaign Murphy's charges still managed to finish second in the division with wins over Kilkenny (3-25 to 1-1), Limerick (2-13 to 0-14), Carlow (1-9 to 0-10), Leitrim (2-13 to 1-10), London (1-16 to 0-12) and Clare (1-15 to 1-12) to book their place in the final against Peter Canavan's Fermanagh. After losing by two points in Brewster Park in March, Wicklow reversed those fortunes with devastating effect to lift the NFL Div 4 crown with a 2-16 to 1-11 win in Croke Park. The confidence achieved by that win will be massive, but they will have to counter a good Meath team that are bouncing back. Evans has adopted a faster, move-the-ball style of play and that seems to suit the traditional style of Meath football. One thing is for certain is that Meath won't lack heart or commitment when it comes to the fight and even with low confidence and a dip in form that spirit should be enough to get Meath through what promises to be a tough battle. For full three-page preview of Sunday's big match see this week's Meath Chronicle, on sale now!