Reilly: We can match anyone
Reilly was the catalyst behind his side’s second-half display against Tyrone, kicking four points as they drew with the reigning Ulster champions, and believes the performance illustrated just how good Meath can be.
“I think we proved against Tyrone we’re going to turn it around,” heinsisted. “Tyrone are one of the best counties in the country, they’re up there with Cork, Kerry and Dublin.
“I think we proved we’re not far off them. We’re a top-six team when we can play. We still have Stephen Bray to come into the team and hopefully we can push on now.
“We’ve eight weeks before we play Kildare or Wicklow and we don’t want to rest on this. We were very lucky to stay in Division 2. We won’t be celebrating or anything.”
Reilly believes Tyrone should count themselves fortunate to take something from the game.
“That [Martin Penrose] goal was really hard to come back at but we dug in and at the end we should have won. We created enough chances to win.
“We gave Tyrone respect but we didn’t stand off them at all and we knew what we were up against. They’ve some of the best footballers in the country by far.
“We didn’t stand back and we just got at them and as was seen when that happens and our work-rate is there we’re as good as any of them in the country.”
Reilly admits he was bewildered by the scenes in the stand as it emerged Sligo had lost to Kildare and Meath had survived on the head-to-head rule.
“I was talking afterwards and I was very p***ed off because I thought we had gone down.
“When I looked into the crowd I thought a row or something had happened. It’s relief to still be in Division 2 but Division 2 is not where we want to be. We want to be pushing up to Division 1 and next year hopefully we will have a better league campaign.”
Even if Meath had been demoted to Division 3, Reilly insists he and his team-mates would have remained steadfast in their support for Seamus McEnaney.
“We would be behind Seamus and the management team because they are good at what they do. Every player respects Seamus and his backroom team. They’re bringing us in the right direction.”
What was even more remarkable about Reilly’s display was the fact he had undergone a groin operation performed by former Meath star Gerry McEntee five weeks ago.
“There was too much pain so I got it done and there’s no problem with it whatsoever. I can run like I did last summer so all’s going well now.”
“We have the club championship now, I’ll have a few more games under my belt and I’m sure I’ll be okay come championship.”
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