Farrell insists Royals are making progress

THE margin was 10 points against Cork two years ago.

It was only four yesterday but the feeling persists that Meath are that few percent short of what it takes to make the final step from being a good team to one capable of claiming an All-Ireland title.

They aren’t alone. Mayo and Dublin are counties that inhabit the same universe, better than the vast majority, inferior to the crucial minority. It was an inflammatory theory with which to approach any Meath player just half an hour after this latest disappointment and Brian Farrell wasn’t long in shooting it down.