MEATH currently find themselves in the strange position of being almost disregarded in the Bank of Ireland Leinster football championship race. With their All Ireland winning team of the late 1980s disintegrating, the county has to cope with Dublin as national champions for the first time in over a decade and more immediately with the challenge of Laois in tomorrow's provincial semi final at Croke Park.

For the last five years great store has been set by the county's success at under age but by now, expectations of delivery have climbed and sunk into depression as the lack of physical presence particularly in central positions has convinced supporters that the team is unlikely to offer much competition to Dublin's newfound status.

One of the most senior graduates from recently successful under age teams is Trevor Giles. The Skryne player has progressed from being a protected corner forward, in the 1992 All Ireland minor final, to a position of seniority with the county team and, earlier this year, a key performer in UCD's first Sigerson Cup win since 1985.

During the Sigerson weekend in the University of Limerick, Giles was notable not just for his influential play at centre back but also for the physical development that enabled him to dominate the centre.

"He always seems to avoid serious injury by the minimum of margins," according to Jim Ryan, UCD's delegate to the Comhairle Ard Oideachais. Presumably, this physical groundwork has had a beneficial spin off in inter county exchanges.

"I suppose I've grown a little bit and developed a certain amount of strength at county level," says Giles. "When I started, I used to get pushed out of the way."

Awarded the first football scholarship to UCD, Giles is following a strong tradition as both Gerry McEntee and Colm O'Rourke, who played for the college in the 1970s, have maintained strong links with their alma mater.

"To see such a high profile player at training and on the field," says Ryan, "really lifts fellas. His character is important too in the college he's not a prima donna and he behaves himself. I'd say he's very good for the scheme in general."

Amongst those who have seen him play further back than the half forward line, there is a school of thought that says Giles is better suited to deeper lying roles. During last season's League, he lined out on occasion at midfield, but doesn't feel that his longterm role is there.

"Well, I did (play there) because of a couple of injuries to midfielders but it was never a long term thing. I prefer centre back like in the Sigerson. I would like to be in the half backs if I had my choice but there's not enough good forwards in the county."

Faced with the need to rebuild a team, Sean Boylan and his selectors have concentrated much of the team's talent into the half forward line Giles is on the right wing, Graham Geraghty on the left switched from the half backs and Tommy Dowd, after a couple of seasons at full forward, leads the attack.

"It's hard to tell how successful it would be," says Giles. "Tommy's used to being dragged around (in the full forwards) but this gives him more freedom."

The Leinster campaign this year takes place in the shadow of Dublin's 10 point win in last summer's Leinster final. To what extent do Meath believe recovery is feasible Giles is cautious.

"We would have had a far better team last year. At the start of the year, there wasn't much confidence about playing Dublin. Maybe there is now but I don't think we're in a position to compete with them. Dublin haven't peaked or got going yet. They know they probably peaked too early last year."

Did the defeat undermine the younger players?

"It was such a long time ago, wouldn't say it's an issue now. The mood is good and the young players socialise together. We played in under 21 teams and under age teams that have won before and probably will again."

Giles's progress to senior level began two years ago and went smoothly while the county won the 1994 National League. It wasn't until that year's Leinster final that the world caught up with Giles, although he denies that the occasion had anything to do with his problems.

"Sometimes the ball doesn't bounce right for you. In any game, it can go wrong. The main thing about that game was the frees missed and there were only two. A lot of people were coming up to you as if you've missed 10."

In the light of comparatively recent, successful memories, Meath people aren't that patient with the long term.

"They're not talking about the future," says Giles. "There were people that genuinely thought we wouldn't beat Carlow. Everyone seemed to want (Colm) O'Rourke and (Brian) Stafford back. They didn't think much of us and you could tell that by the crowds at our matches and even at training, because there used to be good crowds there.

"But we've five under 21s and four of them will be under 21 next year. It's a very young team. We'll have a chance in three years time, when we're strong enough to dominate a match, which we can't do at the moment."

In days gone by, Meath would have been wary of Laois but confident. Tomorrow, it's not even as clear cut as that.