Séamus Lavin of Meath poses for a portrait before a media conference at Bective Stud in Balgill, Navan, Meath, ahead of the upcoming Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Meath and Monaghan on Sunday, March 16th. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington
It’s a testament to Seamus Lavin’s latent ability that since returning to the Meath senior football team after a four-year absence he’s looked like he’s never been away at all.
That’s a considerable achievement, particularly as he’s now 30 and as a corner-back his job-spec is more challenging than ever due to the new FRC rules.
No longer are players in his position as protected by blanket defences as they once were.
Now corner-backs find themselves in one-on-one situation much more frequently than they once did, so they must be comfortable defending in make or break situations.
Lavin is, and the opportunity to play under these new rules is one of the reasons why he has returned to the Royal County fold after returning from a stint working in Canada.
“I don't know if unfinished business is the way to describe it but yeah, I think there was a part of me that missed it,” he says.
“I guess the freshness of the new rules and new set up and stuff like that was a little bit more enticing think it's a little bit more exciting as well.
“It really does highlight the art of defending. It's a lot more one-on-one situations and it's you against your markers.
“There still is an emphasis on defensive shape and that kind of team defending, but you've got to be able to win your own battle.
“I think it's probably one of the strengths in my game is that one-on-one defending, getting the hand in. I don't know if everyone is going to be that way, but as someone who plays in a full back line, I think that's what I like.”
As the weather improves and pitches start to firm up, the life of a corner-back is likely to get even more challenging as the pace of the game increases and it’s easier to kick the ball longer and earlier into your inside forwards.
Matches are likely to be won and lost by the millisecond decision-making of defenders playing by the seat of their pants, but Lavin isn’t fazed by that prospect.
Eoin Harkin, left, and Seamus Lavin of Meath celebrate after their side's victory in the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Westmeath and Meath at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar, Westmeath. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile.
"I think that kind of comes with the territory," he says. "I think if you're diving in or I guess you're going to make a wrong move, that could potentially be a goal or a point or whatever it may be. So yeah, look, there's probably a little bit more of the line or maybe a bit more jeopardy. But again, that lends itself to more exciting games and more exciting spectacles.
“It's part and parcel playing in the full back line. I think you're not going to have a perfect game. Your man is going to score. You need to have a kind of mentality of, OK, it's next ball and kind of have that mental fortitude or resilience, whatever you want to call it.
“You have to kind of wipe that clean and then go for the next ball. And, yeah, look, it's a battle.
“I'm not going to win every ball and the forward isn't going to score every time, hopefully. And that's the way it goes. It lends itself to a good game. People want to see those battles.”
So far at least it looks like the new FRC rule enhancements suit the way Meath play the game.
They’ve won four matches from five in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League and scored an average of 24 points per match.
In recent years Meath seemed to struggle to keep pace with the tactical evolution of Gaelic football and were left behind.
Is there a chance the game that’s now emerging suits their skill set that bit better?
“Possibly,” says Lavin. “I think in years gone by. we did struggle to maybe break down some of the more defensive teams. I think that showed in our record against Ulster teams in particular, which was quite poor.
“And they would be, I guess, teams who would probably be a little bit stronger in that defensive kind of set-up. So, yeah, maybe that's an area you could point to.
“Some of the forwards we have are great shooters. They probably thrive in that little bit more space. And obviously we've got some guys in midfield who have that bit of height as well. So maybe that's lending itself to better performances.
“I think it's whoever kind of adapts to the rules is going to play best and we've had some good coaches who've come in and have done a lot of good work already and I think a lot of that is coming to fruition now.
“It's probably a combination of a lot of things. But, perhaps, yeah, I think Meath would have been more adaptable in terms of the new rules.”
Seamus Lavin of Meath is tackled by Ultan Harney of Roscommon during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Meath and Roscommon at Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Meath. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile.
Sunday’s match against Monaghan at Páirc Tailteann is very significant in terms of the promotion picture in Division 2.
Both teams are on eight points after five matches, so whoever comes out on top will be in with a very good chance of qualifying for the Division 2 Final.
“Yeah, look, make no bones about it, we're all aware of how big the game is and we're certainly under kind of no illusions of how difficult the test is,” says Lavin.
“Like, Monaghan are just a well-seasoned team that have got some really, really good footballers. Micheál Bannigan,obviously, and Jack McCarron and Conor McCarthy and so on and so forth.
“So, yeah, it's going to be a huge test. A really good gauge as well in terms of where we're at and whether we are actually ready to make that step up to Division 1.
“These are the days and the games you want to be playing in excitement and a bit of nerves. But I think definitely the overriding feeling is excitement.”
