Meath's momentum might make it possible

ALL-IRELAND SFC SEMI-FINAL: GAVIN CUMMISKEYlistens as Meath manager Eamonn O'Brien and forward Stephen Bray contemplate how to deal with Kerry

IT HAS HAPPENED so many times down through the history of sport. A team, or an individual, produces a performance that strikes fear to the very core of the poor unfortunate souls that are next on the chopping block.

But Meath footballers should know their own history.

In 2001 they emptied Kerry in an All-Ireland semi-final.

It was a close relation to what the Kingdom did to Dublin on the Bank Holiday Monday, but it meant nothing when they were comfortably beaten that September by Galway.

France produced performances of unerring magnificence and resilience to beat the All Blacks in the 1999 World Cup semi-final and again in the 2007 quarter-final, only to be beaten by Australia in the '99 final in Cardiff and then an aging England side two years ago in Paris.

Particularly in sport, impossible is nothing. Well, Meath need to believe as much.

There wasn't a hint of mind games when Eamonn O'Brien and Stephen Bray stalled beside the team coach on Sunday afternoon to discuss what comes next.

Before answering questions candidly, O'Brien turned to a player to ask, "Well, are we hitting the road or staying to watch the hurling?"

A sense of a team is immediately apparent with Meath. Just like the way it used to be when they too took turns torturing the Dubs into submission.

"Coming through the qualifiers we've got belief and confidence in ourselves," said the first-year manager (a rookie by name but O'Brien seems like a man well overdue a job of this magnitude).

"There is a lot of difference between us now and us three months ago. "I don't think we believed we could beat Dublin and that's a factor when you go out with that frame of mind. You can say it but really believe it is a different matter."

The manager is asked how far off he thinks this growing Meath team are from the top tier of Kerry, Tyrone and arguably Cork.

"We are improving gradually. Whether we can reach that in the time that is available to us is another matter. There is no doubt Kerry have quality. Like, what I saw last Monday was top-class football. I don't know how to answer the question you've asked. We're going to go out and give it our best shot against Kerry.

"Whatever happens happens and that's the way we'll approach the game. We'll look at Kerry and see how good they are. We don't need to do that in one way. From what I saw last week there is no weaknesses on the Kerry team."

Bray echoed his manager's comments with gushing and again genuine admiration of Kerry's epic destruction of the startled earwigs.

The captain, remember, was forced to sit through last Sunday's victory over Mayo after a questionable straight red card against Limerick ensured an automatic one-match ban.

"Anyone looking at that game would be saying Mayo wouldn't be in the same league as Kerry. Look, it is something we will look at.

"Kerry, all through the years, have always been a great footballing team. We'll look forward and relish the task but it is not going to be easy. They played Brazil-like football against Dublin. Just 15 guys on top of their game and everything they did was top drawer.

"You'd be a little bit fearful but, look, an All-Ireland semi-final and we're delighted to get a second chance of that because two years ago we didn't play up to scratch (against Cork)."

Ah, motivation. Meath have something to prove to themselves. Never mind the watching masses. In 2007 they portrayed themselves as genuine rivals for Dublin again looking primed to rejoin the elite. The next year was an unmitigated disaster with an unforgivable collapse against Wexford promptly followed by defeat to Limerick. Graham Geraghty and Darren Fay made inglorious exits from the intercounty scene. Men of their stature didn't deserve that end but sport rarely provides a rose-petal road into retirement.

"Last year was very tough because the Wexford game and the Limerick game hit us hard. You really didn't want to see a football for a while. But as a footballer you have to pick it up and go again."

As O'Brien admitted they lost the belief to challenge Dublin earlier this summer. Now the conquerors of Dublin are coming but at the very least these poor little Meath men know the size of the task ahead.

Any hope against Kerry?

"Ah, I don't know," says Bray. "We've played Kerry in a few challenges over the last couple of years and at times they would scare you. The quality they have. They just have a serious strength in depth. They live and die for football down there and I suppose it is going to be a tough task. I do respect them. All very natural footballers. We are well aware of the task ahead of us but, as they say, it is a two-horse race. There can only be one winner and one loser."

Bray has taken a prudent position by simplifying matters. But don't they live and die for football in the Royal County as well?

"I was as shocked as Dublin people with how convincing they were," he continued. "It was unbelievable football. There passing and movement off the ball. I guess we are going to have to deal with that."

Belief can conquer any human foe. Even a Goliath. Does O'Brien's Meath players believe they can reach an All-Ireland final?

"Well, I hope they do and I think with the momentum we have maybe it's possible."

Cautious steps but, remember, these men are from Meath.