Canavan says Meath’s rise is powered by hunger for recognition after major wins go unnoticed

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by RTE, click this post to read the original article.

According to RTÉ pundit Peter Canavan, Meath may be driven by a sense of underappreciation as they head into the 2026 season. In 2025, they broke a 15-year losing streak against Dublin in the championship and advanced further in the All-Ireland series than any other Leinster team, reaching the semi-finals. Although they were defeated by Donegal by 10 points in that stage, their achievements were notable. However, Canavan believes they haven’t received enough recognition, with many National League previews overlooking their accomplishments.

You’d notice that Meath has often been left out of top-tier discussions, with pundits favoring teams like Tyrone and Derry as leading promotion candidates in Division Two. Despite this, Meath demonstrated strong form last season, playing quality football and proving they can compete at a high level. Canavan points out that they seem to be using that perceived lack of credit as motivation to push forward.

Their recent win over Derry at Croke Park is a testament to their progress. Although they had a shaky start and conceded a soft goal, they bounced back with a dominant performance. Meath showcased both physical strength and technical skill, with standout moments like Jordan Morris’s impressive two-pointer against the wind. Canavan highlighted that they have several potential match-winners and are building a solid foundation.

As a supporter or observer, you can see that Meath’s blend of talent and determination positions them well for the upcoming season. Their next key test comes in a local clash against Cavan on Sunday. If they continue to build on last year’s championship form, they could prove the doubters wrong and emerge as serious contenders.