Royal legend Trevor Giles says that the ‘Super 8s’ must be the target for Meath this summer.
After finally escaping Division Two this spring with an impressive run to promotion, there’s fresh optimism surrounding the team ahead of the Leinster Championship opener against Offaly on May 12.
With Dublin still casting a shadow over the province, claiming the Delaney Cup is probably beyond Meath just now, but reaching the last eight stage of the Championship is attainable.
“I think that has to be the goal, yeah, I think Super 8s has to be,” said Giles, star of the county’s 1996 and ‘99 All-Ireland successes.
“It wouldn't be easy. There's probably six or seven of those places locked up but in terms of the last two places Meath have to be in the conversation along with four or five other teams.
“I think in fairness, Andy [McEntee] getting Colm Nally in as coach this year, and I'm not close to the camp, but I think that has been an improvement this year.
“Maybe Andy has been able to step back a little bit. But I think Super 8s has to be the goal this year, yeah.”
Anthony Daly backs Rory O'Carroll to force his way into Jim Gavin's Championship plans
Giles, who was speaking at the launch of the Leinster GAA Beko Bua Programme at Croke Park, added that Meath’s struggles over the past decade or so was partly down to “not moving with the times”.
“Meath would have been very much kick it in long and the players should be there to win it. The game had changed and Meath were slow to adapt to that.
“A little bit even now if you see the lads passing it around in defence the patience among the supporters is wearing thin and they're shouting, 'Will ya kick it!'
“Other counties embraced change and modernised more than Meath. But there has been good strides the last number of years.
“Sean Kelly being involved, Seamus Kenny being involved, even this year they got the kids to bring the footballs to the league matches at half-time, stuff that other counties had been doing for a good while.
“For the round seven game against Fermanagh there was hardly any space left on the pitch with all the kids.”
Don’t miss this weekend’s GAA action – sign up to Sky Sports and get 6 months half price here , or try a NOW TV Sports Month Pass here , now just €20 a month – usually €50
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
