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Tullamore, Sunday 22nd April, 1:15pm throw-in.
Seán Brennan
Seamus Lavin
Seán Rafferty
Brian O'Halloran
Donal Keogan
Seán Coffey
Ciarán Caulfield
Bryan Menton
Jack Flynn
Jack O'Connor
Ruairí Kinsella
Adam O'Neill
Jordan Morris
Eoghan Frayne
Aaron Lynch.
Subs: Billy Hogan, Killian Smyth, Ronan Ryan Cathal Hickey, Cian McBride, Charlie O'Connor, Oisín Martin, James Conlon, Jason Scully, Conor Duke, Keith Curtis.
So, despite the setback of Páirc Uí Rinn, we go into the last game of the league phase with destiny in our own hands. All we need is at least a draw against the worst team in the division and we're promoted and have a league final to look forward to. A position that we all hoped we'd be in at the start of the league.
Offaly are already down but they do seem to have improved and have a few players back that they were missing in the earlier games. They've also been able to cause other teams problems at times, without managing to turn it into a result (by the looks of it, they should have beaten Cavan last week). So it certainly won't be the case that we can just rock up and expect a handy win, we'll need to be professional. I'm sure Robbie has been drilling this into the team and any talk of promotion will have been parked until we get the result we need.
Offaly have the leakiest defence in the league (24 points is the fewest they've conceded in their 6 games). Given that we've been one of the highest scorers, we'd be expected to put up a big score. Also, in terms of the crowd, it'll basically be like a home game for us. Offaly supposedly had less than 300 supporters at their game last weekend. Given what's at stake for us, I'd expect there to be thousands of Meath fans at this. Weather looks dry with only a slight wind.
In the other games, Cork also need only a draw away to Tyrone to get promoted. If they lose, Derry are primed to take advantage due to their huge points difference, if they beat Cavan. Louth have an outside shot at promotion but need a number of results (including ours) to go their way.
Best of luck to the lads. I was sceptical about whether we'd have enough to be promoted this year and thought we threw away our chance last year. But, despite some hairy moments, we've gotten the results we needed to be in this position.
Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1464 - 20/03/2026 10:20:56
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Huge game. If we come out strongly and maintain our high standards we should do it. A slow start and suddenly things get nervy. Westmeath showed against Roscommon last year that an already relegated team can play with freedom and make things difficult . Albeit I think we're in a stronger position that Roscommon were at this stage, and Offaly in a weaker position.
Division 2 next year could have Dublin, Monaghan, Tyrone, Derry, Louth, Down next year. We could (hopefully) be getting out at just the right time!
MeathAbroad (Meath) - Posts: 179 - 20/03/2026 10:56:33
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On all known form, Offaly shouldn't get within 10 points of us, but that been said we know that nothing is a certainty in sport and Offaly will be keen to give a good account of themselves to close out the campaign. Given the attendance in Tullamore last week was about 600, we probably will massively outnumber them.
Hoping for good conditions, just would be typical for there to be a Gail force breeze and Offaly steam ahead early doors like last year in Navan and doubt to start creeping in. Would expect a couple of changes from the 26 names. Matt Costello could be back and wouldn't be surprised to see Ronan Jones back in the 26.
But glorious opportunity here, we've been the most consistent team in the division and played to our level in every game. Others have been up and down but we've been consistently good. It will be a deserved promotion should we get it done, and we can look forward to a good crack at Leinster.
My prediction for the game is it'll be tight enough for a bit, but we'll go through the gears and Offaly with nothing to play for will probably just pack it in. Going for a 2-25 to 1-14 win and a trip to Croke Park the following week where it's likely we meet Derry or Cork.
Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 123 - 20/03/2026 11:39:27
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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667: "On all known form, Offaly shouldn't get within 10 points of us, but that been said we know that nothing is a certainty in sport and Offaly will be keen to give a good account of themselves to close out the campaign. Given the attendance in Tullamore last week was about 600, we probably will massively outnumber them.
Hoping for good conditions, just would be typical for there to be a Gail force breeze and Offaly steam ahead early doors like last year in Navan and doubt to start creeping in. Would expect a couple of changes from the 26 names. Matt Costello could be back and wouldn't be surprised to see Ronan Jones back in the 26.
But glorious opportunity here, we've been the most consistent team in the division and played to our level in every game. Others have been up and down but we've been consistently good. It will be a deserved promotion should we get it done, and we can look forward to a good crack at Leinster.
My prediction for the game is it'll be tight enough for a bit, but we'll go through the gears and Offaly with nothing to play for will probably just pack it in. Going for a 2-25 to 1-14 win and a trip to Croke Park the following week where it's likely we meet Derry or Cork." I would be surprised if they took any risks with Costello although could see Jones in the 26. If the first half goes well, I'd like to see some of the subs get 20/25 minutes - they should be well able to see the game out.
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 116 - 20/03/2026 14:21:33
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