ONE of the football season's most striking transformations has been Brendan Reilly's metamorphosis into a scoring full forward. He had been accepted over the years as a versatile defender, stepping into the breach in the National League and All-Ireland finals, against Down in 1990 and '91.
His career started a lot earlier than is generally appreciated. In 1988, only a year out of minor, he made his championship debut against Louth and was on the bench for that year's All-Ireland final. During the 1991-92 League season, he began to be used in attack, but it wasn't until this year that he nailed his claims to the full-forward position.
Mattie Kerrigan was in charge of Meath's under-21s when Reilly played in the grade and says there was originally scepticism about the move. "At the beginning of the year you would have found it hard to say that it was the right move, that Brendan Reilly would be the saviour of Meath. Certainly if you ask anyone in Meath, or even himself, they would say it's his ideal position. He was always a good footballer but more of a wing back. There was always a tendency in his play, even in defence, to want to go forward.
"He was picked to play on James McCartan (Down's corner forward who scored three points in the 1991 final) in '91, which was a mistake. He was always an attacking back who put attack before defence. In the '95 Leinster final, he went forward a bit and Paul Clarke (Dublin) got in behind him and caught him out.
"He's in the (Brian) Stafford mould in terms of temperament. He's not affected by missing the odd score. His contribution this year is a credit to Sean Boylan's patience. When great players moved on, like (Colm) O'Rourke and Stafford, he decided he needed an experienced player who wouldn't get frustrated. It was one his best decisions in 14 years and one of the big tactical strokes of the year.
The reference to Reilly's temperament can be easily supported. In the Leinster final he played on Dermot Deasy who had come out of retirement, nearly a year after the Dublin full back's previous competitive inter-county match. Despite winning a good deal of ball, Reilly's shooting was wayward and he ended the afternoon with four wides, but also two points which indicated the early lapses hadn't unhinged him.
Similarly, against Chris Lawn, the Tyrone full back, in the All-Ireland semi-final, Reilly started slowly and was beaten in the initial exchanges. Gradually, though, he got on top and ended the afternoon with five points.
Reilly is strong and quick to the ball and has created plenty of chances during the season. Fitness has improved over the summer and he now poses a formidable threat for any full back line.
How much of a threat is the question. Sceptics will point to his misses against Dublin and the fact that Tyrone's challenge disintegrated during the match, allowing Meath's attack the luxury of a lot of space.
Sunday's challenge should be more difficult. Mayo will be tighter and Kevin Cahill is a good example of a modern full back, physical but also quick and good on the ball.
He has improved over the year and his temperament is good," says Kerrigan. "Cahill is a fair operator and if Brendan doesn't get the freedom, a real test will come - and I can't see him having the same freedom as he got against Tyrone and Dublin. How he reacts could decide the All-Ireland."
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)