MEATH hurling boss Nick Fitzgerald hopes the recruitment of Kilkenny greats Michael Kavanagh and Martin Comerford will help nurture a winning mentality among the Royals as they open their Joe McDonagh Cup account against Antrim in Navan tomorrow afternoon.
Fitzgerald replaced Martin Ennis as Meath manager at the end of last season and was quick to add Kavanagh and Comerford to his backroom team.
“People get carried away with these two names,” said the new Meath boss.
“They’ve been in our county for a number of months and have been constantly referred to as two Kilkenny greats.
"But these are two normal guys who are cutting their teeth in coaching and management. I’ve known Martin for a number of years and I’ve known Michael for some time as well.
“I didn’t bring them in because of their high-profile names – I brought them for what they can potentially bring to Meath hurling. They’ve been in the winners' enclosure a number of times, so when it comes to Championship and the tight corners they can maybe help us.”
Kavanagh won 10 All-Ireland medals with the Cats while Comerford claimed six during their illustrious playing days.
Meath edged out Antrim in a Walsh Cup opener earlier this year but Fitzgerald wasn’t reading anything into that result in pre-season, especially with the Ulstermen having a Division 1B campaign under their belts.
Meath’s Division 2A campaign was mixed, winning their opening two games against Kildare and London before losing by a point to Westmeath.
They suffered a heavy loss to Kerry before succumbing to eventual 2A champions Carlow in their final game.
“Antrim will be looking at us as one of the two games that they have to win to stay in the competition, first and foremost,” Fitzgerald said.
“Antrim will be like ourselves – they’ll be wanting to stay in the Joe McDonagh, and once you secure that you’re looking at trying to get to a final. The first round in any competition is key.”
Free-taker James Toher will miss tomorrow’s home game against Antrim due to a back injury.
Following the club-only month of April, Fitzgerald bemoaned the lack of preparation for the Joe McDonagh Cup but thinks it is a “fabulous” competition.
“The teams in the Joe McDonagh now have a target, something that you can win and make progress because then you can have a crack at one of the third-placed teams in Munster or Leinster if you reach the Joe McDonagh final. And if you win the Joe McDonagh final you have 12 months to prepare for Leinster the following year.”
