FOOTBALL ANALYST: IT IS a difficult to argue a case supporting a Meath victory in tomorrow's All Ireland semi-final against Kerry based strictly on their performances in this season's championship. What would concern me most is their penchant for starting slowly in a couple of the bigger games, namely the matches against Dublin and their most recent outing, the victory over Mayo.

If they fall into that pattern again tomorrow then it could be a long day for Meath, with serious repercussions for their hopes. If Kerry hit the ground running and establish an early advantage on the scoreboard, they are not the type of team that comes back to their pursuers; if anything they have demonstrated a ruthless focus in quickly making the margin insurmountable.

Meath will point to the fact they easily accounted for a Limerick side that pushed Cork to the brink in the Munster final, an achievement given additional lustre by the Leesiders’ recent dethroning of All-Ireland champions, Tyrone.

Kerry manager Jack O’Connor’s team selection reflects the successful template for their facile victory over Dublin. The tactic of hoofing the ball into the twin towers of Kieran Donaghy (when he was fit) and Tommy Walsh (dropped to the bench) has been replaced by a slicker appreciation and application of the talent available in the forward line.

Kerry’s attacking options are now underpinned by mobility, intelligent distribution and interchanging of positions and a very high skills set. The commitment to playing the game at pace and running at defenders paid huge dividends the last day and Kerry are unlikely to deviate from that script. They have the facility to rack up a big score from play.

If Meath are to spring a surprise then the first item on the agenda will be to grab Kerry coat-tails in the opening 10 or 15 minutes and not let go.

They’ll have to go man-for-man in defence and also diligently track the Kerry half-back line when they surge forward.

It was Mike McCarthy who provided the scoring pass for Colm Cooper’s goal against the Dubs and Tomás Ó Sé and Killian Young were no less effective in providing extra legs in attack.

Meath will have to concentrate hard from the throw-in and every single player will need to work their socks off – with and without the ball – just for the team to be competitive.

If the Kerry team replicates the brio and dash that was so striking against Dublin tomorrow then I don’t think the Meath backs will be able to contain their men. I would expect the latter to employ an extra defender.

There will be a huge onus on Nigel Crawford and Brian Meade to try and shade the midfield battle, something which the Meath duo is capable of against Darragh Ó Sé and Séamus Scanlon.

Kerry are likely to pitch Paul Galvin into this area of the pitch in an effort to snaffle breaking ball, something at which he is very good. Meath need to work an edge here because it would allow them to dominate the kick-out and also shift the emphasis to the Kerry defence.

If the Kingdom get parity or better here then Colm Cooper, Declan O’Sullivan et al will be impossible to contain.

For the past couple of years I have been very impressed with some of Meath’s forward play. They possess some real quality footballers in the Brays, Stephen and David, Brian Farrell, Cian Ward and Joe Sheridan, who all share a similar trait of having a natural flair.

Meath will very their approach but one gambit will be the long ball into Sheridan, who is capable of dominating in the air and bringing those around him into the game. He is in excellent form and could prove a key player in terms of his team’s ambition.

Tom O’Sullivan might have the edge on Sheridan for pace but the aerial route to the Meath man could provide a lucrative return. There is an honesty to the way Meath apply themselves in matches that goes back generations, manifest in a latent pride.

There aren’t many household names yet in this team but there is that collective work ethic; the players are prepared to work hard for each other and that goes a long way towards winning games.

It would be wrong to claim that Kerry’s victory over Dublin offered a panacea for their previous travails in the championship.

Dublin were flat and listless from the outset and Kerry were pretty much allowed to do as they pleased.

Were Kerry good or was it a case of the Dubs not turning up? Whatever the answer, Meath will present a more genuine test of Kerry’s footballing health. There will be no fear factor amongst the underdogs.

Questions linger with regard to the Kerry midfield and also to their defence. If Tomás Ó Sé, Young and McCarthy are as conspicuous going forward as they are attending to their defensive duties then Meath will be in trouble. The Royals have to keep that line occupied down one end of the pitch.

Meath have reached this stage of the tournament without fanfare and will be considered rank outsiders in this two-horse race, considerations peripheral to what will matter, namely the quality of their performance.

I expect them to produce a decent performance but really can not look beyond a Kerry victory.

Confidence has been restored and their experience and love of playing in Croke Park are other factors that should allow Kerry to ease to a reasonably comfortable win.