TAKE FIVE - A quick reflection on Meath's NFL Div 1 loss to Tyrone

Fergal Lynch takes an in-depth look at some aspects of last Sunday's NFL Div 1 opener at Healy Park between Meath and Tyrone.

NEW RULES

For all the hysteria about the introduction of new rules in the weeks leading up to the start of the NFL there was little or no cause for concern at Omagh on Sunday. There was one defensive mark for Meath called and missed by Cavan referee Joe McQuillan while Colm Cavanagh claimed a couple of marks around midfield which  allowed Tyrone establish a foothold in that area.
However, there were no attacking marks taken and no instances of the many fears pundits and managers had been concerned about.
After the game Meath manager Andy McEntee revealed that he, and his players, had expected to be briefed on the new rules last week, but that briefing was cancelled because the person who was meant to give the briefing wasn't even clear on the rules.
It is that type of uncertainty that has raised concerns, but there were no issues during Sunday's game - so far the new rules are getting a pass.
 

NEW PLAYERS

With an injury list longer than an elephant's trunk Meath manager Andy McEntee was forced deep into his reserve pool.
Most of the players who started on Sunday had experienced NFL action before, although none of them had never played in Div 1.
From the team that started only goalkeeper Dominic Yorke and corner-back Robin Clarke had not played in the league before.
David Toner made a brief appearance against Down as a substitute back in 2017 while Brian Conlon also featured during McEntee's first year in charge.
Yorke's appearance on Sunday was unexpected with the originally selected goalkeeper Andy Colgan injuring his knee in the warm-up.
It was a tough environment to throw the Meath Hill 'keeper in for his first start and he struggled on the kick-out scenarios.
That is not a problem that is unique to Yorke as Colgan struggled on several occasions last year, while Yorke's half-time replacement, Barry Dardis, didn't do any better – although he has a good excuse, he's not a goalkeeper.
 

STEP UP

While Meath have faced Tyrone several times over the last few years including a couple of times in NFL Div 2 and once in a thrilling All-Ireland SFC qualifier that went the distance in 2018 it was clear that the 2018 All-Ireland SFC finalists and 2019 All-Ireland SFC semi-finalists are still several years further on in their development than the Royals.
Meath are expected to struggle in Div 1, the bookies had them at 2/5 for relegation before Sunday's loss to Tyrone and those odds have shortened further to 2/7.
Meath manager Andy McEntee needed his troops, all of his troops, operating close to 100 per cent championship pace just to hold their own in such exalted company, but with so many players injured and a few others struggling to hit their straps just yet Meath found the going too tough.
Mistakes that they might have got away with in Div 2 will be punished ruthlessly in Div 1.
Meath have to take 90-95 per cent of their chances, so squandering two outstanding goal opportunities in the early moments was a signal that it would not be Meath's day.
 

INJURY LIST

Why-oh-why are Meath struggling so badly with injuries? Misfortune? Wrong training? Poor technique? There is no one answer as to why Meath manager Andy McEntee is enduring the worst injury crisis in his term at the helm.
The injuries to Seamus Lavin, Padraic Harnan, Shane McEntee, Mickey Newman and Ethan Devine all necessitated surgery, most likely as a result of wear and tear and a lack of opportunity to recover during a hectic 2019.
Donal Lenihan hurt his ankle on his return to the panel in the O'Byrne Cup against Laois while Darragh Campion also picked up a knock in the close season.
Now Andy Colgan can be added to that list and as he left Healy Park on crutches.
McEntee now has something of a goalkeeper crisis on his hands. Efforts to name Mark Brennan as substitute goalkeeper were denied.
The one positive to take from Meath's crippling injury list is that panel players are now getting valuable game time at the very highest level and that can only make the squad stronger.
 

CHRONICLE CHOICE 

For 30 minutes there were several candidates with their hands up looking to be nominated as Meath's best player.
Meath controlled the first-half. They looked confident on the ball, sharp in their movement and dogged and determined in their defensive fortitude.
However, after the break Meath had no answer to Tyrone's shift back to a more patient, defensive game.
The fight in Meath remained, the spirit was able, but the bodies gave up.
Almost everything Meath tried to do in the third-quarter failed. Without the axis of Donal Keogan, Bryan Menton and James McEntee the outcome would most certainly have been much worse.
McEntee was Meath's best player when they were in command. He operated like an quarterback, dictating the pace and pulling the strings.
When Meath were forced onto the back foot, the Curraha man continued to try to play on the front foot, but most of his good work had to be applying pressure on rampaging Tyrone players.