Bernard Flynn exclusive on Meath qualifying to the Tailteann Cup final
Ex double All-Ireland Meath footballer Bernard Flynn gives his opinion on fellow player Colm O’ Rourke’s current tenure as Meath manager. “It has been tough for him a bigger challenge than he anticipated but if they could win the Tailteann Cup it would be a great way to build with a young team”. Meath set up a Tailteann Cup Semi-Final with Antrim after scoring 2-23 in their Quarter-Final win against Wexford. “Yeah it was needed as it gave them great confidence, Wexford were very poor but Meath moved the ball very well I liked what I seen that day all be it was against Wexford”.
Meath won their Tailteann Cup Semi-Final at Croke Park against Antrim by a score line of 2-16 to 2-14. “I think the way we beat Antrim particularly the last 15 minutes was a great leveller going into the final against Down”. The big pitch at Croke Park didn’t affect Meath forward Jordan Morris as he scored 1-4. “Jordan Morris will be one of the standout forwards in the Championship, he’s brillant and I love going to see him”.
The final of the Tailteann Cup is between Meath and Down and is scheduled for Saturday 15th of July 2023. “The final is going to be massive as the stakes are huge for both teams and it’s massive as the prize of playing top level football in the Championship next year awaits the winners”. Down will be favourites for the Tailteann Cup Final after scoring eight goals in their Semi-Final win against Laois. “Meath need to win it to build for next year”. This is Colm O’ Rourke’s first year as Meath manager and they have come a long way since losing to Offaly in the Leinster Championship. “If Colm wins it, were guaranteed football next year and it would be deemed a pretty good season by winning the Tailteann Cup with a lot of new players”.
The GAA came up with a new format this year with having a round robin series to decide who makes it to the All-Ireland Quarter-Final’s. “Why did they have three teams qualifying out of four in both the Tailteann Cup & the Championship and it has to be reduced down to two next year”. The first two Quarter-Final’s take place on Saturday 1st of July with Armagh playing Monaghan and Tyrone taking on Kerry. “I think the double headers this weekend will be absolutely brillant but the only big disappointment as it stands the games on Saturday are on GAA GO, I think it’s an absolute disgrace that it’s not free to air”.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin saying they should be free to air. “I didn’t really like the way it was done and I think there was not enough people brought into the equation”. It will cost you €79 to buy GAAGo which will cover you for 38 matches this season. “I’m not sure it will last”. The Summer months is all about sitting down to watch a GAA match and GAAGO are not making it accessible for everyone. “Something has to be done because it’s not right and I disagree with it”.
Dublin and Mayo have provided great matches in recent years especially the 2017 All-Ireland Football Final as Dublin won by one point. “They haven’t had any test but I believe that they have trained really hard and the one team that could get away without been tested is Dublin due to the experience they have in the locker”. Dublin will face Mayo in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final on Sunday 2nd of July at Croke Park. “I think Mayo can get a huge amount out of Dublin and I think Kevin McStay has done a great job overall”. Dublin are looking for revenge after losing to Mayo by three points in the 2021 All-Ireland Semi-Final. “I think Mayo will give the Dubs plenty of it, I think it’s going to be a great game and I think Dubs just to shade it”.
The All-Ireland Football Quarter-Final’s this weekend will give the public a clearer picture on who is destined for Sam Maguire in 2023. “I said Dublin or Kerry but I thought Tyrone found their mojo against Donegal”.
It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with former Meath footballer Bernard Flynn to chat all things GAA.