Championship 2014: Meath

Manager: Mick O’Dowd (2nd year).Titles: 21 Leinster (2010); 7 All-Ireland (1999).2014 league: Lost just two matches to finish third in Division Two.Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 33/1; Leinster 9/1.What the bookies say: Another Leinster final and qualifier fourth round.What the bookies said in 2013: Leinster final and qualifier fourth round.2013 championship: Lost Leinster final to Dublin 0-14 to 2-15 and qualifier fourth round to Tyrone 2-9 to 0-17.First outing: v Carlow, Dr Cullen Park, 15th June.

Meath’s Michael Burke with Aaron Findon of Armagh
Meath’s Michael Burke with Aaron Findon of Armagh

League campaign began erratically but ended strongly, as Mick O'Dowd's team aims to kick on from an encouraging championship last year. The loss of Eamon Wallace is a big setback but there has been steady improvement. Defence has settled down and the forwards have quality.

Last good day: Two years ago they turned over favourites Kildare in the Leinster semi-finals.