GREAT TO SEE POSITIVE MEADIA.1000 SUPPORTERS WANTED ..PRESS LIKE TO SUPPORT OUR HURLERS.The Meath Chronicle is urging all Meath GAA supporters to get behind the Meath team for the forthcoming Christy Ring Cup semi-final against Kildare at Trim on this Saturday 31st May, 2.30. Contrast Meath’s forunes to that of the 2013 champions Down, the Mournemen will be involved in a relegation play-off with Armagh for the right to play in the Christy Ring Cup in 2015. When the Meath players run out on to the pitch at Trim on Saturday week, it would be a tremendous boost for all involved with the team, if there is a big crowd of flag-waving supporters to welcome them on to the pitch and who are also willing to get behind the team for the duration of the game. Imagine if there was 1,000 Meath supporters at the game - that would be fairly intimidating for the opposition, especially if it is a tight game going into the closing stages. Imagine the opposition taking a sideline only two yards away from the fanatical Meath supporters - okay you need to let your imagination work a bit of overtime for that one! But it’s something that could become a reality if enough GAA men and women in Meath make an effort to get to Trim on Saturday 31st May. The facilities in Trim are good with an excellent clubhouse and easy access to refreshments on the day. And a large turn-out of support would significantly boost the prospects of a Royal County victory. Unfortunately, the reality for a quintet of Leinster hurling counties - Meath, Louth, Longford, Wicklow and Kildare is somehwat different to the other high-profile counties - Kilkenny, Wexford, Dublin, Offaly, Laois, Carlow and Westmeath. The low-profile quintet don’t count in the hierarchy of hurling, probably safe to suggest also that Laois, Carlow and Westmeath aren’t too important in the overall scheme either. The unfamous five’ don’t even play in the Leinster SHC while Antrim, London and Galway do. The Christy Ring Cup semi-final is an excellent opportunity for the stalwart GAA supporters in Meath to give the county hurling team a boost. And a big crowd and a few green and gold flags is all it takes. And those of you who have not attended a Meath inter-county hurling game will be pleasantly surprised. The standard of hurling outside of the elite circle is good, it is competitive and it is entertaining. For starters, all the hurling clubs need to make certain that they get a group of supporters to the game. Then the football clubs need to do the same. A combined effort will turn Trim into a green and gold fortress for the day - surely it’s worth an effort, even as a once-off, to boost the team in what will be Meath’s last home game of the year. It’s a high-profile game, a championship game with a place in the final at Croke Park a week later as the prize. The stalwarts will be there - people like Brian Flynn and John Heavey from Kildalkey, Michael Dempsey from Trim, Patsy McGovern from Kilmessan and a few other stalwarts from clubs like Boardsmill, Rathmolyon, Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Kiltale, plus a few others. A few weeks ago the Meath minor hurlers gave a battling performance in the Leinster MHC second round against Wexford at Pairc Táilteann - they were narrowly beaten. The players would probably have benefited from better support? Saturday week is an opportunity to make amends. This year can still be successful for the hurlers - they have already won the Kehoe Cup by defeating Kildare in the decider at Newbridge last February. Meath missed out on promotion from the NHL Div 2B after making a poor start with a disappointing defeat against Wicklow, but they dethroned the 2013 champions (Down) in the first round of the Christy Ring Cup and are now only one game away from that Croke Park decider on Saturday 7th June. All this progress was achieved against a background of disrupted preparations. There was a furore over a number of issues between the players and the Co Board in the days before the game against Down. Travel expenses was one issue. The non-availability of Mickey Burke was another. The trip to Mayo for the quarter-final saw the players travel in cars to Castlebar. At the last Co Board meeting it was stated - the problems with the hurlers are resolved or will be resolved at a meeting this week.” Time to stand up for the green and gold! Do you agree?
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 15:27:14 +0000