Allianz National Football League Division Two

Meath v Monaghan, Saturday, 7.00, Navan

Monaghan begin their Allianz National Football League campaign on Saturday evening with a highly-anticipated game away to Meath. In a very competitive division, every point will be crucial, so both teams will be determined to get an early win in the bag.

Monaghan go into the league somewhat under the radar despite being unfortunate to be relegated from Division One last year and that may be no harm to Eamon McEneaney’s side. A mixed Dr. McKenna Cup brought a win over St. Mary’s and defeats against Down and Armagh, but Monaghan have a number of panellists to come back into contention, including seven college players and last year’s captain Dick Clerkin, who has returned from honeymoon. Meath barely clung on to Division Two status in 2011 by virtue of their superior head-to-head record versus Sligo, but they will be expected to fare much better this year, with the management team more established. Former Monaghan manager Séamus McEnaney is now with Meath and he knows all about his native county, but on the other hand, Eamonn O’Brien is now involved with Monaghan and the ex-Meath boss is equally familiar with the Royal County’s players. Meath enjoyed wins over Wexford and Louth in the O’Byrne Cup, but their run came to an abrupt halt with an eight-point defeat against DCU at the semi-final stage. Neither county made much impact in the championship last year, as Monaghan lost to Tyrone and Offaly, while Meath were beaten twice by Kildare.

Paul Finlay has started 2012 in fine scoring form and Monaghan will need another big performance from him, as well as the likes of Dick Clerkin, Darren and Kieran Hughes, Owen Duffy and Vincent Corey. Graham Reilly, Stephen Bray, Cian Ward, Kevin Reilly and Shane O’Rourke are among the main men for a physically imposing Meath side.

An intriguing game is in prospect and Monaghan have the ability and motivation to upset the bookies odds and take the points, although a repeat of their last trip to Navan in 2009 which finished in a draw cannot be ruled out.

The game throws in at 7pm on Saturday at Páirc Tailteann and following on from the successful tweeting of updates from Monaghan’s Dr. McKenna Cup games last month; the Official Monaghan GAA twitter page will carry updates from a league match for the first time. Players from both teams will wear blue or pink gloves in the match in support of cancer awareness.