ROYALS LEAVE FINAL GRIEVING FIRMLY IN PAST

MEATH boss Robbie Brennan says the Royals went through "a bit of a grieving process" after the pain of their Leinster final defeat by Louth.

- BY KARL O'KANE

They responded in style in their All-Ireland opener at Pairc Tailteann at the weekend, defeating Cork by four points to win their first ever game in the new format, after losing all three games last year - their debut season in the new structure.

With an away trip to Roscommon to come next weekend and a meeting with Kerry at a neutral venue in the final round, it was vital that Meath exploited home advantage.

"You are never sure, coming off a defeat, the occasion and Croke Park," said Brennan. "Apart from the result, it (Leinster final) was a brilliant experience.