MATHEW COSTELLO looks set to return to the Meath team for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final clash with Galway.
Attacker Costello missed the Leinster finalists’ landmark 1-22 to 0-16 win over Kerry earlier this month with a hamstring injury.
But Royals skipper Eoghan Frayne reckons the 2023 Tailteann Cup Player of the Year will be good to go next weekend.
The clash will be a repeat of the 2001 All-Ireland final which Galway won, thanks to ten points from current Galway manager Pádraic Joyce.
Speaking at the launch of RTÉ Sport’s summer coverage, Frayne reckons it is looking good for Dunshaughlin man Costello.
Frayne said: “Mat’s just about coming back and he should be all right to go.
“I think everyone else is either a long-term injury that you’d know about or is fit. I think we’re good enough.”
Boss Robbie Brennan already ruled attacker James Conlon out for the rest of the campaign with a hamstring injury.
But it remains to be seen if Ronan Jones or Jack Flynn are available to play any part around the middle third after spending several weeks out with hamstring injuries.
Galway have arguably got even bigger problems.
Damien Comer missed out on any game time again last weekend when the Connacht champions beat Down.
Shane Walsh went off with a shoulder injury after kicking 1-7 for the Tribesmen. But corner-forward Frayne shrugged when asked if Galway was a good draw.
He said: “We’re happy enough. It’s going to be a tough game and that’s fine.
“I don’t think there’s any easy games no matter what draw you get. We’re happy enough and it’s going to be a good test.
“But we haven’t been in an All-Ireland quarter-final in a good few years so we’re really looking forward to it.”
Meath have been installed on the longest odds of the eight teams left in the race for Sam.
The Leinster runners-up are 40-1 shots despite already beating Dublin and Kerry.
Frayne stopped short of guaranteeing a return to the glory years for Meath but revealed the group has big ambitions.
Asked what Meath’s ceiling is, Frayne replied: “I don’t know, hopefully winning All-Irelands.
“That has to be the aim, your goal can’t be to just beat Dublin in the Leinster Championship.
“You have to be looking further than that.
“Everyone wants to be winning All-Irelands and Leinster Championships, so hopefully we can get there.”
