by Rory Houston
When Meath trailed by five points against Wicklow in Dr Cullen Park after just 14 minutes, Seamus McEnaney watched on and waited for his side to show the fight and togetherness that he claimed was in the panel.
It arrived, albeit against a fading Wicklow challenge, and the strenuous times as manager seemed worth it in the aftermath of that win. Finally there was something positive to talk about and move forward. There are harder challenges to come than this weekend’s meeting with Carlow
There are contrasting opinions on Meath football and where they are going wrong. The obvious explanation is the players are simply not good enough but that is an easy cop out and it will certainly be proven either way in a potential semi-final date with Kildare.
I don't fully buy it. Joe Sheridan, Graham Reilly, Stephen Bray, new boy Donncha Tobin, Cian Ward and Seamus Kenny are all potentially excellent Championship players on a given day.
Kenny's absence from defence is a concern but this is another game Meath should have the strength to come through. The assurance from putting a couple of wins together will give them a chance later in the year.
Carlow will try to press Meath from the first whistle in Dr Cullen Park and they have a dangerous-looking forward line in JJ Smith, Sean Gannon and Daniel St Ledger.
Brendan Murphy will be tasked with providing leadership and covering as much ground as possible, while Conor Lawlor and Darragh Foley start after progressing from the Under-21s.
As on most occasions with Carlow it is a case of trying to overcome the odds and they’ve done quite well under Luke Dempsey in the last couple of seasons.
The Royals should have enough composure to cope with anything Carlow throw at them though and their tumultuous season will rumble on for at least one more game in Leinster.
Verdict: Meath
