Brian Barry
GAA Editor @BrianGBarry
Royal revival, and more takeaways from the GAA weekend
Last Updated: 26/02/19 6:55am
After a full round of Allianz League action in both hurling and Gaelic football, we examine what was learned from the weekend.
Royal revival
Meath are flying high in Division 2, and are now odds on to return to the top tier.
Andy McEntee outlined promotion as one of the goals for the year at the start of the season, and so far the Leinster county are on course to do just that. Wins over Tipperary, Armagh and Cork see them sit at the top of Division 2, with the one blemish on their record so far coming in the defeat to Donegal in Ballybofey.
The Royals have been closing out tight games, having frequently ended up on the wrong side of narrow margins in recent years. The round-five clash at home to third-placed Kildare could be crucial.
Dublin enjoy home comforts
With so much debate about Dublin's advantage of playing at Croke Park following GAA Congress on Saturday, Jim Gavin's side went out and did their talking on the field, easing past a disappointing Mayo team.
The Sky Blues have started the Allianz League campaign with two wins and two losses. With their defeats coming on the road in Clones and Tralee, it was business as usual for the Dubs at Croker as they swatted aside the challenges of Galway and Mayo.
With HQ nominated as their home venue for the league, they are delivering the results at the Jones' Road stadium.
Fermanagh flying high
Last year's Ulser finalists were backed by many to be sent straight back down after last year's promotion, but Rory Gallagher's charges have exceeded expectations with an unbeaten start in Division 2. This is all the more remarkable in light of Tomas Corrigan's absence, and Seamus Quigley not being part of the setup this year.
Conceding just 3-26 across four games, an average of under nine points per match, means they remain virtually watertight at the back.
Two wins and two draws ought to ensure their safety, and the Ernesiders can now begin to dream of more than just survival in the second tier.
Dub hurlers get their first big win of the Mattie Kenny era
After so many narrow misses in the last year, the Dublin hurlers finally got over the line against a top hurling county on Sunday afternoon. Their two-point win over Waterford at Parnell Park will give the side real belief that they can make a breakthrough this summer.
As the back-line appears settled with Eoghan O'Donnell and Sean Moran forming its spine, it was the forwards who shone against the Deise. Danny Sutcliffe's return to top form is a major boost, as Oisín O'Rorke and John Hetherton have raised their games to add to the attacking unit.
Dublin are well and truly moving in the right direction, and will be aiming to progress from the Leinster Championship this summer.
Tipp pipped at the post
Liam Sheedy will rue his side's missed opportunities as they left a golden opportunity to beat arch rivals Kilkenny slip away in Thurles. The Premier led by three points in the second half, but were unable to see out the result as they fell to yet another dispiriting loss to Brian Cody's charges.
Sheedy will consider handing free-taking responsibilities to Jason Forde after Seamus Callanan's patchy performance on placed balls, but perhaps the biggest task on the new manager's hands is to instil a winning mentality once again, as the Premier failed to see out the result.
