“They’re playing like a team that didn’t quite – or feel as if they didn’t – get the credit that they deserved for their performances and for some of their victories last year.”
Peter Canavan (Image: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane)
Peter Canavan thinks Meath could be underestimated again this year.
The Royals were the surprise package of last year’s Football Championship. Robbie Brennan’s side ended Dublin’s Leinster dominance, and while they came up short against Louth in the provincial decider, they kicked on again to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals.
And after watching Meath start their Division Two campaign with a win over Derry at Croke Park, Canavan thinks they will be keen to show they were not a flash in the pan.
The former Tyrone great told the RTÉ GAA Podcast: “They’re playing like a team that didn’t quite – or feel as if they didn’t – get the credit that they deserved for their performances and for some of their victories last year.
“A lot of people are saying they’ll struggle. Even before the start of the league, the Division Two contenders for promotion, in a lot of people’s estimation, were Tyrone and Derry.
“That’s despite the fact that Meath got to an All-Ireland semi-final last year playing really good football.”
Meath’s Jack Flynn and Conor Glass of Derry(Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher)
Meath were one of the best exponents of the two-point arc last season, often backing themselves from long range.
But Canavan thinks that the Royals have many strings to their bow and could emerge as contenders for the Sam Maguire Cup.
He added: “They were slow to get settled, they gave away a very careless goal to Derry, but after that it was a really dominant performance.
“We expect physicality from Meath, and it was there in abundance, but there’s quality to their play, as well.
“[Jordan] Morris in particular up front, the score that he got with the outside of his boot against the breeze for a two-pointer in the second half was unbelievable.
“They have players who are capable, potential match winners, so they appear to be in a very good position.
“They need to back up last year’s good championship, absolutely, but they appear to be on course to do that.”