Matthew Costello admits Meath need better control in games
Michael Bolton
After a promising start to the season for Meath, their season ended in defeat to Mayo in the third round of the All-Ireland championship.
Having built up a commanding 13-point lead in Castlebar, Meath could not keep up their attacking performance as they were pegged back by Mayo.
It was a disappointing end to a season which showed a lot of promise for the Royal County, with Matthew Costello among the attacking players who have caught the eye of fans.
A first-round defeat to Cork also came from giving up a big lead, while weeks after winning Division Two, Meath suffered a shock defeat to Westmeath.
Speaking days after the loss, Costello explained how Meath losing momentum cost them the game.
"We played so well for so much of the game. Unfortunately, we just lost a bit of momentum in the end.
“The press that Mayo put on was just very good. Like I said, that little bit of momentum is so important in the game now. They just came out the right end of it.
“Probably throughout the year, we were letting big leads slip. That happened again at the weekend. I think just for ourselves, we need to learn a little bit more about how to control different parts of the game.
“Last year we were so often coming out the right side of these games and the way we were playing was working. I think we'll just have to adapt slightly.
“It doesn't take a massive push now to rein in an eight- or nine-point lead. I just think with the firepower out there that teams have and the press that they can put on kickouts, if they get momentum, no lead really seems too big to rein in.
“I think you've got to play really well for the full 70 minutes nowadays in the Championship games. There's no real slowing it down or running down the clock. It can't be done.”
Last season, Meath were the story of the championship, reaching the semi-finals.
Having ended Dublin's dominance of Leinster, Robbie Brennan's side also defeated Kerry and Galway, as Meath supporters enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in years.
A young squad, which will play Division One football next season, Costello is looking forward to starting the season against the best the country has to offer.
"2027 does feel a long way away at the minute, obviously a lot of football is still to be played this summer in the championship.
"I mean, a massive goal for us this year was to get promoted from Division Two. For the long-term success of Meath football, you'd want to be playing at the top levels for as long as you can.
“You're playing unbelievable teams week in, week out. They're so used to being in all-Ireland semi-finals and the likes and provincial finals and they're used to the big days.
"First and foremost, next year, you wouldn't be looking too far past the first game of the league. Hopefully, staying up will be the initial goal of the season, and hopefully, we'll see where that takes us."