THERE is an old adage which insists that "success breeds success." If so, Meath provide proof in a Gaelic football context and, indeed, this particular team remind me in many ways of the Kerry team of 75 that revolutionised the game.
Back then, Brendan Lynch and myself were pretty much the odd men out as the 13 other players that year had just recently graduated from the under 21 ranks with a confirmed winning pedigree. Similarly, the Meath team in tomorrow's All Ireland Final have also experienced considerable success through the different age groups and, consequently, know exactly what it takes to win on the big day. There has been a lot of talk about the "physical nature" of Meath. Okay, there were a couple of nasty tackles in the semi final win over Tyrone; but I believe Meath, who are not a particularly big side, are just so totally committed to the challenge, and winning possession, that the physical element only occurs around attempts to actually win the ball.
Meath know what it takes to win and play with apparent abandon, with quick free flowing movement. Opposing teams find it hard to cope with such an approach. Meath know what it takes to win. Can Mayo's hunger compensate them? The likes of Liam McHale, Dermot Flanagan and Pat Holmes have experienced some trying times on the big day in a Mayo jersey and a great deal will depend on whether or not they have the mental capacity to surmount this hurdle.
If Mayo are to win, their marking off the ball will have to be so tight that Meath's normal rhythm is disrupted. All it will take is for one Mayo defender to be caught out or slip up on the job and Meath's forwards will capitalise on the space created. Meath are just so quick, their finishing so lethal.
Mayo's backline will need to be fit, quick and alert. Graham Geraghty and Tommy Dowd are especially adept at breaking though any defence which shows any signs of weakness. And the fact that Meath will again play with the same side that started the quest for the Sam Maguire against Carlow a full summer ago has to assist them. By now, the Meath forwards know almost instinctively what the others are thinking.
I expect Colm McMenamon to again adopt the roving commission which has proven so successful throughout Mayo's march to the final. He is vital to Mayo's cause. He has speed, stamina and also the skill to set up quality ball in to the forwards. I don't think Enda McManus has any option other than to mark man to man, which will undoubtedly create gaps in the Meath defence. Mobility wise McManus could also struggle to stay with him and the situation could ultimately put enormous pressure on the Meath full back line.
McHale is a player who, it seems, delivers more on the Connacht stage rather than the Croke Park stage. Tomorrow, he could prove me wrong.
Liam certainly has the ability to play low, quality ball in to his forwards; it appears to be a basketball trait, to play with the head up and be aware of the options.
Indeed, the midfield area will be crucial. A repeat of McHale's defensive work - certainly in the first half - against Kerry's Seamus Moynihan won't be acceptable tomorrow. However, I expect him to have improved on his fielding since then and both McHale and David Brady will need to perform herculean feats for the entire match. Jimmy McGuinness and John McDermott have been the most impressive midfield pairing throughout the championship and, aside from their fielding, possess superb mobility as well.
For my money, however, the unsung hero of Meath's displays this year has been Trevor Giles. He has unselfishly helped out his defence, winning some great possession in the process. Trevor thinks on his feet and is rarely found out by a marker. I anticipate another big contribution from him.
In Meath's semi final win over Tyrone, literally everything went right for them. Meath's defence was on top. They dominated midfield. And their forwards were lethal, particularly Graham Geraghty.
If Meath were to repeat that semi final performance, nobody would beat them. But I can't see all those factors slotting into place again. I believe this match will be quite close and, possibly, only decided in the last 10 minutes or so.
One thing worries me about Mayo, who dominated Kerry in every department in their semi final and, yet, only managed to finish the game very late on. Do they have the real killer instinct? It is a weakness which, I'm sure, has been worked on for much of the past month. Certainly, Mayo will require one or two scores from their midfielders and, also, will need their half forwards, particularly James Horan and Martin Sheridan, to become more involved as attackers and scorers.
There is a great football tradition in Mayo - and some of the big defeats they have experienced in recent years have hurt them badly. I expect them to be hungrier this time round, though. And I don't anticipate any capitulation on Mayo's part. John Maughan's influence will be a major factor in that, but also the hunger which appears to be evident throughout the county. It reminds me of the hype and euphoria evident in Wexford in the run up to the hurling final. I have no doubt the Mayo players will play like men inspired.
Overall, however, I expect Meath's forwards to sway things in their favour. They have an uncanny ability of keeping in touch in a game, even when playing badly. That is the hallmark of an exceptional team. Their superior pace and ability to mix short passing with a more direct game and, also the way they can soak up pressure when the occasion demands, convinces me that Meath have the ingredients necessary to deliver Sam.
