Saturday, 19 April 2008

League game may signal change in Leinster

Tomorrow's game between Dublin and Meath could be much more important than just a routine National League game, leaving aside the fact that both sides still have the opportunity to contest the Divisional final.
After all who cares about who wins Division 2 of the league, most of us have trouble remembering even the winners of the National League by the time the championship comes around.
However, I think this game could be the signal of a change in the fortunes of Leinster's big two.
The Dubs have dominated the province for the last three seasons without ever looking like potential All-Ireland champions, unless you live in the city where the media always get carried away by any championship run by the Blues.
Meath on the other hand slipped right off the radar after winning four All-Irelands between 1987 and 1999, clocking up eight Leinsters between 1986 and 2001.
The Royals never really recovered after being absolutely blown away in the All-Ireland final of 2001 by Galway when they were hot favourites after humiliating Kerry.
It must have been tough in Meath watching minnows like Westmeath and Laois enjoying provincial success before the Dubs resumed business as usual.
However, Meath's star is once again on the rise, and their full forward line last season of Shane O'Rourke,Stephen Bray and Brian Farrell promised much with the veteran Graham Geraghty still full of pace, intelligent running and passing.
I think the Dubs are slightly on the slide, they may need another manager other than Paul Caffrey who has been honest and hard working to take them to another level, and if Meath can even edge them tomorrow we could be in for another change in the Leinster pecking order.
And one thing a Meath side would take into the All-Ireland series is the physicality Leinster sides have lacked in recent seasons.

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