Time to get the basics right

As a Meath U21 selector in 2009 and 2010 one of my briefs was to look at as many club championship matches as possible.

I found myself travelling to the Meath training centre of excellence in Dunganny on cold nights in October and November to see the future of the county football team. It was there the problems facing Meath first hit me.

My former playing colleague Ollie Murphy was over Carnaross and asked a sub to go in late in the games. The young fellow decided he wouldn’t bother as it was too cold and they were too far behind. Last year eight teams elected to take part in the U21 championship which is 15-a-side. My own club, Skryne received a walk-over into the semi-finals because St Colmcilles, with an area incorporating Bettystown and some of Drogheda, could not field a team. The other clubs took part in the 13-a-side U21 A or B competitions.