Disappointed Ross ready for Meath test

ROSS MUNNELLY has been trying hard to re-focus his attention on to the National Football League, and, specifically, Laois' third round game against Meath in Navan on Sunday.

Up to last weekend he'd been preoccupied with DCU's preparations and participation in the Sigerson Cup competition. That turned out successfully for the Dublin college, but it wasn't quite so fulfilling for the popular young teacher.

The umbrella body for third-level games, Comhairle Ard Oideachais (CAO), decreed that under the rules Munnelly - along with Westmeath star Dessie Dolan - was not eligible to line out with the college team. He had started training with them back in September and stayed committed to the squad right up to the final, all the time hoping that he would be given a reprieve to play.

"It was a huge disappointment after putting in that much effort and getting to know the lads, especially because Micko (Dwyer) had given me the time to train with them," he said. "But, at the end of the day we're Sigerson Cup champions and that's all that counts.

"I did feel part of it. I was there at the start, hoping I would play, and trained up to the last day. I spent the whole weekend with the lads, went to the team meetings, the meals, the recovery after the matches and the preparation before them.

"It wasn't as good as playing, but it was the best I could hope for. And naturally I was delighted when the lads lifted the cup on Saturday night."

Having suffered a back injury against Wexford in the opening League game, he lasted just over half an hour against Galway. However, the break has enabled him to regain full fitness - "more or less" - and put himself back in the frame for the game in Pairc Tailteann.

Mick O'Dwyer has brought in trainer Gerry Loftus this year, following an approach from a number of the senior members of the Laois sides. Munnelly missed the pre-Christmas preparations, but he has found that the approach to training hasn't changed significantly.

"Gerry is interested in running too and, as everyone knows, Micko loves running laps. There are a lot of miles being clocked up!"

He knows from his DCU team-mates Brian and Kevin O'Reilly how committed Meath are under new manager Eamonn Barry, and how much of an effort they put into winning the O'Byrne Cup. And, he recognises that they're going to be a force "to be reckoned with."

"I suppose a lot of people would be looking at Meath and Offaly having gathered momentum so far this year. Both teams are going to want to compete at Leinster final level and win the championship. Meath are going to be looking at Laois having been in the last three Leinster finals and looking for a win to continue their run.

"We're under no illusions going to Navan that trying to grind out a result against a fancied team is going to be very tough. We realise that it's very much a rejuvenated Meath team, with a lot of good young players."

As far as Laois are concerned, they've learned a lot of lessons since winning Leinster two years ago. Last season ended abruptly when they ran up against a much stronger Armagh side in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

"Naturally we're hoping to benefit from last year's experience," says Munnelly. "It's important that we try and get as many points as possible. Like every other team in Division One, we'd hope that we would reach the semi-finals of the league.

"That would give us a good indicator for the championship."