Meehan's Dreams of September Glory

Just as the Championship started in 2009- Gaelic Stars Louise Glass Caught up with the mighty Michael Meehan.  A great player, and quite a nice chap as well!  Thanks Michael.  Francis

By Louise Glasss

HIS penalty against London in the first game of this year’s Connacht Senior Football Championship helped put a better gloss on the scoreline, but Michael Meehan admits that Galway must step things up if they are to be in contention come September.

A high-rated footballer who has combined skill and power to become a lethal full-forward, it’s hard to believe that Meehan is still only 24 and that this is his sixth season in the maroon and white.

He may be young, but on the field, Michael oozes the assurance and self-belief of a seasoned campaigner.

Like the rest of his team mates he was disappointed that Galway faltered in the closing stretch of this year’s National League but it has only served to stiffen the team’s resolve heading into the summer.

“Overall we had a reasonable league campaign this year,” said the Caltra clubman.  “We started very well but unfortunately lost points in the last few group games, which cost us a place in the final.

“We were very disappointed we didn’t make it [the final] considering the position we held going into the last three group games. Our draw with Derry left the door open for them to beat us to it.

“Our aim at the moment is to prepare well and reach the Connacht final. If we can be successful in Connacht, it would set us up nicely for a crack at the All-Ireland series.”

Galway’s target for 2009 is straightforward enough, to be the last team standing come September.

Michael has yet to play in an All-Ireland semi-final for his county, but there’s no denying his success at under-age level and with his beloved club.

The youngest son in a football mad family, Michael remains passionately committed to the game.

“I think it’s [the love for the football] something inside that stemmed from when I was young and trying to emulate the likes of Maurice Fitzgerald and Mickey Linden,” he said.

“Playing alongside Padraig [Joyce], he’s a super player.  His ability and experience has a positive effect on everyone at training and in matches.  He has been a hugely successful player to date and he has plenty left in the tank, which is good for Galway football.”

Michael was on the 2004 Caltra team that won the All-Ireland Senior Club Championship alongside four of his older brothers, Declan, Tomás, Noel and captain Enda, while another one, Seamus, was a sub that day.

He won a Hogan Cup medal with St Patrick’s Tuam in 2002, the year he also captained the team, as well as a Minor Football Championship medal with Galway in the same year.

Since his senior inter-county debut in 2003 against Roscommon, he’s won three provincial medals and while he might have two All-Ireland Under 21 medals at home, the big one is still missing.

Two of his brothers, Declan and Tomás have won All-Ireland medals for Galway, in 1998 and 2001. For Michael, just like a lot of the other fellas on the Galway team, it’s the one everyone wants.

“It is a big thing, but it’s also missing from about 27 other lads on the current Galway panel Declan and Tomás are very lucky to have medals from ’98 and ’01 and it would be great to add one of my own to theirs,” he said.

Tomás has retired from inter-county football but Declan is still involved, making every county game a family occasion.

“It was very special to have a few brothers playing on the same county team.  It was a big honour for our family and club. It was also very handy with lifts too and from training,” added Michael.

“They’ve been a massive influence on me. To have people so close to you playing inter-county football and winning All-Irelands serves as huge motivation.”

Getting back to business on the field and Meehan knows Galway can’t take anything for granted if they are to retain their Connacht title, even though they are firm favourites for the provincial crown.

Standing in the way at the minute is Sligo at Markiewicz Park at the end of June.

“More often that not when you take situations like that for granted you get turned over. We don’t want that to happen against Sligo,” he said.

“We are going to have to play very well to get a result against Sligo up there. Kevin Walsh seems to be doing a very good job as manager. He knows Galway football inside out so that will give them an advantage.

“The London game was a funny game.  At stages we could and should have pulled away but we missed some easy goal chances.  London, to their credit, played well and stuck in it until the end.  They have a strong team and will only get stronger over the next few years.

“Liam (Sammon) has brought on Galway football a long way since his took over the job at the end of 2007.  He has reintroduced some of the more traditional values into our style of play, which have proven to suit us.”

Not looking past Connacht, shows that the provincial competitions are still highly regarded despite the presence of the ‘back door system’.

“The back door does take the importance off the provincial championship to a small extent,” added Michael.

“I think all counties go out to win their provincial championship. Depending on the counties involved, All Ireland’s can often be the priority over provincial titles so to have a second chance can be crucial.”

Away Galway and Connacht, Michael, who is a financial advisor sees Tyrone coming out of Ulster, Kerry out of Munster and Dublin out of Leinster, although he’s not necessarily advising anyone to put money on it.

As for destination of Sam Maguire, well that’s anyone’s call but we know Galway and Michael Meehan have set their sights on being around in late September.