IN the days when Sean Boylan was struggling to rebuild a Meath team that could challenge Dublin's supremacy in Leinster, two positions stood out. The retirement of Mick Lyons and Liam Harnan left a huge gap down the centre of the defence.

Both were traditionalists. Lyons dominated the square, physically and in the air. Legions of full forwards - particularly in Dublin - were, intimidated by his very presence. Harnan was a fixture at centre back, uninterested in the opportunities offered by breaking up the field but the hard end wall of a cul de sac down which Meath always tried to direct opposing attacks.

The physical strength of the two was sorely missed. Martin O'Connell was tried at full back, but was uncomfortable in the position.

Darren Fay is the son of Jimmy Fay, who kept goal for Meath when they won the Centenary Cup in 1984, and a nephew of Mick, who was corner forward on the team that host the 1970 All Ireland final to Kerry.

Centre back on the minor team that reached the 1993 All Ireland final, the second generation Fay established himself at full back on the seniors during the last League campaign. Impressive in the early stages, this form dipped a little after.

Christmas, but there were never any real doubts that he would be the championship full back.

Mattie Kerrigan rated him highly to include him in this year's Railway Cup panel, but his family in the process of opening a pub, Fay didn't feel he could give the honour full commitment. Kerrigan understood and remains an admirer.

"At minor he showed enough potential to play anywhere from full back up to centre half forward. He was at midfield for his club at the of 17, against Summerhill and Mick Lyons, and he was the factor.

"He's tall and athletic, quick with his hands. If he has a fault, it's fetching in the square, but a full back doesn't get caught there that often nowadays. And the way he plays at full back, he doesn't seem to have to go up for the ball. Most full forwards at the moment tend to run around more."

That's certainly been Fay's experience to date. In Meath's last two matches, he has had the prospect of clashes with two archetypal modern full forwards, Peter Canavan and Jason Sherlock, well publicised.

In the Leinster final, it couldn't be said that his opponent received a good ball, but on the odd occasions. Sherlock arrived out to reasonable service, Fay was right behind him, mobile enough to track his man and strong enough to put in hefty challenges.

Confrontation with Canavan never materialised and Kevin McBride was sent on to the square instead. It was a curious decision as Fay is as big as McBride, as well as being able to match him in most other departments.

As he met Sherlock on a wet day and missed Canavan, Fay still has to be tested by an athletic full forward getting the turn and coming at him, but nothing in his play to date suggests that such a challenge is beyond him.

John Casey is the latest full forward sensation and Fay's afternoon in his company will go a long way to deciding this year's All Ireland.