Meath go for three-in-a-row
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will be returning to Croke Park following a narrow defeat (0-17 to 0-18) in the NFL Div 1 final against Dublin earlier this year to face a Meath team that will be going for a hat-trick of championship victories.
Saturday’s game will be the third championship clash between Meath and Tyrone.
The first was in the 1996 All-Ireland semi-final when Meath won by 2-15 to 0-12.
Meath won again in 2007 with a 1-13 to 2-8 victory in an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final.
Tyrone's last visit to Croke Park brought a defeat in that league decider against Dublin, but they showed some good form on the way to that decider and enjoyed a fine 2-15 to 2-11 semi-final victory over Kildare, a result they repeated last week in Newbridge in the qualifiers.
While the venue will not be a major problem for Tyrone’s players, the 7.0 starting time may not be attractive for Tyrone supporters who faced a long journey to Newbridge last Saturday.
This will be Tyrone’s fourth journey in the qualifiers after away games against Kildare last Saturday, Roscommon and Offaly.
2013 RESULTS
Leinster SFC
Quarter-final - Meath 1-17, Wicklow 1-12.
Semi-final - Meath 0-18, Wexford 0-13.
Leinster final - Dublin 2-15, Meath 0-14
Ulster SFC
Quarter-final - Donegal 2-10, Tyrone 0-10.
All-Ireland SFC
First round - Tyrone 1-27, Offaly 0-8.
Second round - Tyrone 0-12, Roscommon 1-7.
Third round - Tyrone 1-11, Kildare 0-12.
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Questionasked last week: Have we any chance against Tyrone next Saturday?
Allan Bennett called for the return of Joe Sheridan - he got that right
Allan Bennett: Put Sheridan in midfield or half-forwards, keep the same line up as in the first-half against Dublin and we are on the pigs back.
Richie Quigley: Had Monaghan a chance against Donegal? Had Galway a chance against Armagh? We have every chance of winning if we continue to improve game on game as we have done in this championship. Up the Royals
Ciarán Conlan: We have a good chance, Tyrone had a tough game against Kildare and will have a few knocks and niggles to get over. Play to the same level as against Dublin and it should see us home. The All-Ireland is wide open with no stand-out team this year, they all have problems. Up Meath
Conall Collier