Four years ago, Seamus Lavin thought his Meath career might be over, now he's a key player

Lavin missed Colm O'Rourke's time as Meath manager but, after some time spent travelling, was recalled by new boss Robbie Brennan at the start of this season.

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025 - 07:10

Paul Keane

Seamus Lavin feared he might never play for Meath again when he left the group after the 2021 Leinster semi-final loss to Dublin.

A six-point defeat at the time to the six-in-a-row All-Ireland champions was a creditable result though Lavin had mixed emotions leaving Croke Park.

"I knew I was going to travel at that time," said Lavin, who maxed out a two-year visa to work in Canada after that, only returning home at the start of 2024. "A part of me did wonder was that going to be my last game for Meath. Thankfully it didn't pan out that way."

Now 30, the corner-back was thrown an opportunity to resurrect his senior county career when Robbie Brennan got the Meath job this year.

Lavin may have been recalled anyhow but it helped that Brennan is a neighbour in Dunboyne and that they know each other well.

Still, after four years out of the county game, starting all five of Meath's Division 2 league games so far, and excelling, wasn't anticipated.

Lavin looks set to be a key player again on Sunday when the Royals host Monaghan in what is shaping up as a promotion decider in Navan.

"I didn't think it was something I could necessarily jump straight back into," said the chartered accountant of first team duty with Meath.

"Even with the club, I did a pre-season with the club last year and felt I wasn't at the pitch of it straight away. It took time to build up that conditioning. A good pre-season was definitely needed this year with Meath. But I felt I really used that to give myself a platform to get a Meath jersey."

The dressing-room looks a lot different these days. Lavin missed the entire Colm O'Rourke era when a new generation of players were blooded, yielding a Tailteann Cup triumph in 2023.

Meath also played Division 1 football when Lavin was previously there, in 2020.

"I actually got injured that year, I did my MCL on my knee unfortunately," he said.

"So the only game I got to play in that whole Division 1 campaign was, funnily enough, against Monaghan in the last round. I think we were already relegated at that stage. So I don't think I got to experience the full Division 1 thing. It would be great to get another chance at that."

Lavin isn't the only comeback king in Meath this year. Midfielder Bryan Menton is also back after missing the O'Rourke era and has started every game while Jack Flynn and Eoin Harkin, not involved last year, are thriving again too.

The new rules may be helping Meath who, it could be argued, never fully got to grips with defensive, counter-attacking football.

"Possibly, possibly," said Lavin. "I think in years gone by we did struggle to maybe break down some of the more defensive teams. I think that showed in our record against Ulster teams in particular, it was quite poor.

"I just think some of the forwards we have are great shooters. And they probably thrive in that little bit more space that they have now. And obviously we've got some guys in midfield who have that bit of height as well. So maybe that's all lending itself to better performances."