Andy McEntee's Meath have claimed four wins in five Allianz Football League Division Two games in 2019.
By Cian O'Connell
“Everybody has to look at the big picture here,” Andy McEntee explains when asked about just how important a step it would be to reclaim Allianz Football League Division One status.
McEntee is completely aware that a couple of demanding matches against Clare and Fermanagh loom, but getting Meath back dining at the top table remains the brief.
“For us to encourage young people in Meath to be playing Gaelic Football we need to be playing at the highest level,” McEntee adds.
“You have options out there for guys that maybe weren't there in the past. So GAA has to compete with other sports for the attention of the younger people. We have to make sure that playing for Meath is an attractive proposition for young people. To do that we need to be playing at the highest level.”
Since taking the Meath managerial position McEntee has enjoyed some encouraging moments and endured harrowing losses. With four wins from five League games in 2019, though, hope and expectation is returning which is significant and McEntee accepts the past number of years important work is taking place in the underage grades.
“No, I think that is a fair comment,” McEntee replies. “We have a lot of good coaches and former players involved with all of the underage teams. We are starting to see a consistent level of preparation for all the underage teams.
“Ultimately that is what is going to give you a bigger pool of players coming up to senior level. I think when you see the likes of Ethan Devine and Darragh Campion coming through, young players like that it is a positive.
“They have come through a good system, they have done the work and preparation at underage with their coaches over the last number of years. I think that is hugely important.”
Meath are making progress under Andy McEntee in 2019.
Ultimately it is one of the chief reasons McEntee feels Meath’s panel is the strongest since his arrival. “I think it probably is, but lads have put in three years of continuous work,” McEntee states. “I think physically we are starting to show some of the benefits of that. I think we are able for the physicality and the pace of games at this level.
“That doesn't happen overnight so I think we probably are that little bit better equipped. I also think some of the younger players joining the panel have added strength and added a little bit of freshness to it so they have been very important for us this year.
“We are happy enough, we can't complain because we've had five good enough performances. So it puts us in a good position and we are in control of our own destiny. That is as much as you can ask for.”
There was plenty of character exhibited during the victory over Kildare at Pairc Tailteann, a last gasp goal from a Barry Dardis penalty earning the spoils.
Such resilience is impressing the Meath faithful, who are beginning to believe in McEntee’s charges. “I think there probably is a bit of that, but Meath supporters have always had a great love for their team,” McEntee remarks.
“They have always wanted this and they have always been crying out for a team to support, to show some values that they can associate with really.
“I think the performances to date have shown that no matter what happens these guys are willing to go out, to put in a really good effort, a really honest effort. I think our supporters in general can relate to that and they can accept if we put in a good effort and don't get a result like the night up in Donegal.
“There was a very positive reaction to the performance that night. So long as we do put in an honest effort I think our supporters in general would forgive us a lot of shortcomings.”
The impressive Darragh Campion is making an impact with Meath this year.
The manner in which Meath lost to Donegal was unfortunate, but the Royals' response has been to chalk up three triumphs in a row.
“It is a game we arguably played our best in,” McEntee recalls. “We got nothing out of it, but having said that that is the way these things go. We've had a bit of bad luck that night, but maybe we've had the rub of the green since then. Maybe these things even themselves out in the end.”
So with Meath generating momentum is there any specific reason why the Royals are motoring smoothly in 2019? “It is hard to pinpoint any one thing,” McEntee answers.
“I think last year was ultimately disappointing for everybody in the League and in the Championship. Maybe guys just have had enough of not winning these games and are putting in a little bit extra. The attitude has always been decent. I suppose the harder you work the luckier you are likely to get. The lads have put in a decent shift so far this year and so far it seems to be paying off.”
Clare, who are intent on avoiding relegation, and Fermanagh, still heavily involved in the promotion race, provide the opposition in Meath’s remaining tussles. Division Two continues to supply thrills and spills. “Every game is huge and it is funny the way it is turning out this year,” McEntee admits.
“Last year and for the last couple of years 10 points would guarantee you promotion, but 10 points won't guarantee you promotion this year. That is certainly my look on it, we have got to make sure we prepare properly for each game to make sure we get something out of both of them.
“Likewise the teams we are playing are in a similar boat. Everybody still has something to play for, whether it is promotion or to avoid relegation. I think that is what makes the League as good as it is really.”
Under McEntee Meath are doing their bit too and the rest of March promises to be revealing.
