Leinster final in the past: O'Brien
LOUTH supporters might feel that Meath have everything to prove after being robbed of Leinster glory by Joe Sheridan's controversial last-gasp goal, but Royals boss Eamonn O'Brien says that's all the in past. While the Wee County finally bowed out of the Championship at the hands of a strong Dublin side last Saturday, their neighbours are looking forward to an All-Ireland quarter-final against Kildare in Croke Park next Sunday (4pm).
And as far as O'Brien is concerned, a line was drawn under the whole sorry episode of two weeks before when the eight teams still standing went into the hat last weekend.
'There's no point looking at things in the past. We have to make sure we are focused on the job in hand.
'I think the only thing we have to prove is that we're good enough to beat Kildare on the day,' he said this week.
Meath have twice stumbled in Leinster, only to come through the qualifiers and reach All-Ireland semi-finals in recent seasons, and the Lilywhites have taken the same route this year, quietly building up a head of steam.
They were impressive in disposing of Monaghan in the last round, and given that Meath could also have been paired with Cork, Dublin or Down, it's clear that the draw could have been worse – not that O'Brien would say that!
'It gets to that stage in the championship when all the teams left are very strong and Kildare are certainly that,' he insisted.
- Marcus CAVAROLI
