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    2661885

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    2661894

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    2661903

gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 117 - 20/03/2026 14:21:33    2661937

Looking forward to the trip to Tullamore and hopefully a big Meath crowd travel to get the lads over the line.

While it's opposite ends of the table clashing, Offaly still have their pride to play for in a local derby and wouldn't want us coming to their home turf and getting promotion with an easy victory. I would expect them go all out to spoil the party.

Our lads just need to do as they have been doing all league, next game, and play their own way. That will be enough.

Personally, I would hope the game be killed off as early as possible with a strong scoring blitz and that lads get a run out but won't be surprised if it's a battling performance.

Royalio11 (Meath) - Posts: 825 - 21/03/2026 11:23:24    2662044

The first thing Frayne mentioned in his interview last week was we lost last time we were down here, so I can't see any complacency creeping in. They also gave us right scare last year being up 10 points at half time. That being said Meath by 20+ if we can tighten up at the back a bit, our Forward play is just way too much for a team like offaly to handle. This is a division 1 team against a division 3 team.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 307 - 21/03/2026 12:20:59    2662053

Another derby to finish up the league.

I can see a lot of complacency in the county and the media at large around this one to be honest, but I think the team and management are too savvy to follow that line of thinking.

Wouldn't be surprised if Offaly turn up in a big way considering theyre relegated and have nothing to play for but pride, which they always have in spades. Meath will need to match that and start hard and fast. Hopefully a big crowd travels.

As always with any of our neighbours, this is a banana skin. I wouldn't be taking any risks - go guns blazing once more into the breach and we're into the big leagues.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 623 - 21/03/2026 12:29:17    2662055

Well done playees and management great to be back at the top table. The major objective for this year achieved and still only March.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2243 - 22/03/2026 15:30:38    2662225

Great achievement by all involved. Some really close games that we came out on top on which will also bring the team on

SheridansTry (Meath) - Posts: 182 - 22/03/2026 18:47:14    2662309

Come on ! It's great to be heading back up!

I reckon we were the 2nd highest scorers across all the divisions and we were around average with score conceded and we easily could have been top scorers with the amount even just Morris left behind him today.

I was a little disappointed to not see gray get game time considering he was promoted to a sub spot in oneills absence.delighted for duke to feature he needs a confidence boost. Morris just could not hold the ball today, I would say he didn't play well and still came away with 1-3 or 4 but we do need him to sharpen up with his efficiency.
Kinsella and keoghan just a class above today. Keoghan is so important for us for short kickouts options.

I felt sorry for our neighbors with how poorly they were supported hopefully they can steady the ship, we genuinely out numbered them, which is a first for me anyway at an away meath game.

We have bigger fish to fry and I can't wait to see these lads in top of the ground championship football. Leinster has me anxious nothing between us, Dublin and louth.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 56 - 22/03/2026 18:58:13    2662314

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 945 - 22/03/2026 19:41:34    2662334

Royalio11 (Meath) - Posts: 825 - 22/03/2026 20:52:22    2662360