Coyle hoping Royal starlets can deliver against red-hot Tyrone

GIVEN their senior record, and the exceptional results of St Pats (Navan) at colleges level, it’s hard to believe that Meath have only three All-Ireland minor football titles to their credit — 1957, 1990 and 1992.

Team boss Pat Coyle put the disappointing underage results down to the lack of experienced people to do the work.

“The county needs qualified experience people who can bring players on from under age and colleges. There is a step up from schools and colleges to inter-county minor and not every player can make that step.

“I’ve been with the present squad of minors now since under 14 and got to know them pretty well.

“They are a very committed bunch who want to learn which is always an essential ingredient when it comes to winning.

“The county is going through a transition period at the moment and it was great to win out in Leinster at minor level. An All-Ireland would do nicely, but we are up against one of the best teams left in the championship in Tyrone.

“We played them in the Ulster minor league final which ended in a draw after extra time.

“The replay was played five days after we beat Dublin in the Leinster championship and they beat us by two points.

“They are regarded as the best team left in the championship but we don’t fear them.

“You could say we are relishing the opportunity for another crack off them and reversing that league final defeat.”

Meath easily accounted for Tipperary in the All-Ireland quarter-final and will be expected to put up strong resistance to the Ulster champions on Sunday, but may lack the necessary know how to win the game.

Tyrone assistant coach Cathal McAnenly is a little concerned complacency may set in with his team as this will be the third game between the counties this year.

“Familiarity breeds contempt they say and I would be concerned that we may take our eye off the ball so to speak,” said Cathal.

“Our injuries have cleared up, but team captain Ronan McNabb who has missed most of the season because of a hernia operation, is definitely out.

“From experience you never get anything easy off Meath. What has gone on between us this year will count for nothing come Sunday.

“It’s all about getting to the All-Ireland final, and we are expecting a battle royal from the Royal County.

“I expect there will only be a kick of a ball between the teams at the end of the game.”

Tyrone have six minor titles, the last one won off Kerry in the 2004 final which ended 0-12 to 0-10 for the Ulster side.

With the back of plenty of support Tyrone will be fancied, but they would be foolish to under-estimate the Meath lads.