Meath manager Robbie Brennan encouraged about connections forged
Meath senior football team manager Robbie Brennan. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
"It is hugely important and really relevant," Meath manager Robbie Brennan remarks about the momentum and belief generated in 2025.
A stirring summer concluded following wins over Dublin, Kerry, and Galway as the Royals eventually lost an All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final against Donegal at Croke Park.
"Where we sit currently in our development as a group that is still a big, big part of trying to push on and having that self belief," Brennan adds. "It is something we're constantly mentioning in the group."
The fact that significant experience has been acquired by emerging players bodes well according to Brennan. "It does, and something that is lost is a lot of underage guys have come through successful times through the great work by John McCarthy and Cathal Ó Bric, down through the years," Brennan says.
"They're used to winning and have experience in Croke Park, and we're feeling the bounce of that as a senior group now. It is great to have them at the level they got to last year."
Ultimately, it means that hope and expectation is attached to Meath ahead of Saturday's Allianz Football League Division Two opener against Derry at Croke Park. "It's a funny thing because as I said to a few people, this time last year we were favourites to be relegated and you know half a decent season and now everyone's saying we should be in Division One," Brennan responds.
Robbie Brennan following Meath's 2025 All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Final win over Galway at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
"It's a bit of a tricky one and I think probably the balance is somewhere in between. People get sick of me saying it, but we'll just be looking to training and trying to improve there and wherever that leads us to, it'll lead us to in the end."
The fact that the team has reconnected with Meath supporters is crucial. "Yeah, that’s massive, I suppose that's what we grew up on in Meath and going to those big days in Croke Park," Brennan replies.
"There's been a few great things up on social media, just highlighting those days before and some of the connections of that last year.
"Again, when we came in, it was probably something we actively went after to try to get that connection back within the county and get the team playing to a certain standard that it made people want to come out to support, and watch the lads. Thankfully they did that on some days last year."
Brennan is delighted with the addition of Aaron Kernan as a coach in the Meath set-up. "He has been very good," Brennan says. "Obviously, Aaron is well known and a brilliant pedigree - through the family through the Dad and all the brothers and the Cross history with Armagh, but he has fitted in really well.
"We just felt it was important, the coaches were happy to add another layer to what we do, and Aaron fits the bill with that. We're delighted to have him, he's a really good guy."
