One step at a time for Meath

Hope springs eternal for Meath, but since 2001 the quest for a return to a Leinster SFC final continues to falter. Next Sunday at Portlaoise the journey begins again, this time against Offaly. Three steps have to be negotiated on the way to the promised land of a provincial final and a guaranteed place in the last round of All-Ireland SFC qualifiers, at least, but individually each of those steps would represent a giant leap. The first major obstacle will be provided by the considerable threat of Offaly. The days of the Faithful's best may be far behind them, but Meath are hardly riding the crest of a wave after a humbling and sometimes humiliating league campaign. Offaly will take heart from the Royal County's awful NFL Div 2 performances against Tipperary, Down and Westmeath during spring and as the summer buds emerge they will be confident of blooming causing Meath to wilt. Tom Cribben's side will wear the underdogs tag, but only because of the contrasting fortunes of the two counties in 2009. Meath lost out at the first hurdle in Leinster to Dublin by just two points, 0-12 to 0-14 before embarking on an exciting run through the qualifiers to the All-Ireland semi-final. Offaly were humbled 1-10 to 1-16 by a Kildare side that had struggled up to that point and then in the qualifiers Cribben's men were edged out by a dreadful Wexford side (0-16 to 2-11) that lost to Roscommon after a replay in the following round. That form suggests an easy ride for Meath, but anything less that 100 per cent commitment, hunger, determination and effort will undoubtedly result in another early exit from the provincial race for the Royals. Offaly will rely heavily on their greatest asset, Niall McNamee. The outstandingly talented forward is one of the best in the business and if he is afforded time and space then he will do a lot of damage. Meath will need to be fully aware of his threat because if several of McNamee's colleagues can raise their game then Meath might be caught on the hop, just as they have been on one or two occasions in the not too distant past. Their 50/1 odds to win Leinster and 300/1 price for All-Ireland glory paint a clearer picture of Offaly's chances, but odds and formbooks count for nothing in the white heat of championship. Can Meath be realistically priced at 13/2 for Leinster, 33/1 for Sam? While last year's form can be used as a reflection of how the teams fared in the championship, Offaly's results were on the back of managerial upheaval and while it was also Eamonn O'Brien's first year in charge there wasn't the same turmoil. Offaly will be a strong proposition this year. They lost four of their seven NFL Div 3 games, but did manage to score a 1-9 to 1-8 victory over Antrim, who were promoted. There were also wins over Fermanagh and Roscommon, but it was the losses to Wexford (again), Sligo, Cavan and Louth that will cause concern and give Meath hope. On individual talent there can only be one outcome, a comfortable Meath victory. However, team games are not won by individuals nor are they won on paper and so it will be the side that plays with the greater unity and commitment that will succeed. Meath have been hampered by injuries. Niall McKeigue and David Bray were two certain starters that will miss the season. Jamie Queeney and Cormac McGuinness are others who could have reasonably been expected to feature, but are likely to miss out because of injury. Throw in doubts over the fitness of Ollie Lewis and a few others with niggling problems and manager O'Brien could has a limited hand. The return from injury of Kevin Reilly is a major boost, but he hasn't featured for the county team since a late cameo against Kerry in last year's All-Ireland SFC semi-final. His lack of match time may be a problem, but the O'Mahonys man is such an outstanding talent and athlete that he should be able to fit back in without missing a step. Despite the injuries, O'Brien and his selectors will have several good dilemmas to deal with. The form of Bryan Menton in recent challenges has thrown the cat amongst the defensive pigeons and he must be considered. Chris O'Connor, Davy Dalton, Eoghan Harrington and Shane McAnarney will battle for the two corner-back positions while Michael Burke, Anthony Moyles, Gary O'Brien, Caoimhin King, Graham Reilly, Seamus Kenny and James Macken can all be considered for the half-back line. The return from suspension of Brian Meade will give O'Brien a selection headache between the Rathkenny man, Summerhill's Conor Gillespie or the man most likely to get the nod to partner captain Nigel Crawford at midfield, Mark Ward. The utility of Reilly and Kenny gives O'Brien options to deploy one or both of them in the half-forward line either side of vice-captain Joe Sheridan, with Peadar Byrne also to be considered. With Niall Mooney doing well in recent games and Stephen Bray operating better when give a role on the '45,' O'Brien will again have plenty to think about. The full-forward line could pick itself with Shane O'Rourke likely to be flanked by Cian Ward and probably Brian Farrell, if Bray is utilised further out the field. Paddy O'Rourke will be the number one so it is clear that despite all the injury problems, O'Brien still has plenty of options. Having all those options open to him might be the key to victory for O'Brien. If things aren't going according to plan the manager knows he has strength on his bench. Momentum is key to Meath's year. If they can get a couple of wins under their belt then a Leinster SFC final appearance is a realistic ambition, but one small step at a time must be taken, if giant leaps are to be made. Probable team Paddy O'Rourke; Chris O'Connor, Kevin Reilly, Eoghan Harrington; Seamus Kenny, Michael Burke, Anthony Moyles; Mark Ward, Nigel Crawford; Graham Reilly, Joe Sheridan, Peadar Byrne, Cian Ward, Shane O'Rourke, Stephen Bray.