MEATH boss Robbie Brennan remembers Dublin great Rory O’Carroll’s mantra when players get injured — simply that the next man steps up.
The Royals will play their first All-Ireland SFC semi-final since 2009 against Donegal on Sunday week but are without Ronan Jones, James Conlon, Jack Kinlough and Jack Flynn, who will all be sidelined for the rest of the season.
But former Kilmacud Crokes chief Brennan points out that the show must go, saying; “We have certainly said all year, next man up. The great Rory O’Carroll in Kilmacud taught me that lesson early on in my days in Crokes.
“It’s just about the next man up and that’s what we’ve installed and luckily we have some really good players there and still more that haven’t even been used yet. So we’d be quite happy with the squad we have.”
Brennan, who led Crokes to All-Ireland club glory in 2023, took the Meath reins this season.
And they have had a remarkable year despite Jones and Conlon (both hamstring), Kinlough (ACL) and Flynn (pec) all undergoing surgery.
Their most recent win came in Sunday’s Croke Park quarter-final against Galway as Brennan had to sweat over players again.
He said: “Seán Rafferty had a cramp and a slight little ankle sprain but nothing to worry about.
“I’d say it was the humidity and the heat. Bryan Menton had a cramp and Ruairí Kinsella had a sprain in his ankle but they have trained since.”
Meath watched the semi-final draw over pizza in Dunboyne after Sunday’s pulsating win.
And Brennan hopes for another slice of success against Jim McGuinness’ men as the Royals chase their first All-Ireland final appearance since 2001.
He smiled: “It was funny . . . the lads probably didn’t really care at this stage who we got and we were the same.
“So as it came out, the lads just glanced at it and went back to the pizza.
“No matter who you get now, it’s got to be a good side — they’re a phenomenal team. Their running game is exceptional, the loops they run, and the forwards attack.
“So plenty to have to work on, but look, we’ve been able to start looking at it already.”
