By Shaun Casey

WITH two games left to play in the National League, Monaghan find themselves in the perfect place for promotion and currently sit top of the pile in Division Two, although they are tied on points with Meath and Roscommon.

All three sides currently sit on eight points, having lost once in their five games. Monaghan lost to Roscommon, the Rossies fell at the hands of Meath, while the Royals have won four on the trot after a first-round defeat to Cork.

The scoring power of Gabriel Bannigan’s men sees them claim top spot thanks to score difference and they can take a huge leap towards a swift return to Division One football with a win.

Robbie Brennan’s Meath are eyeing up the same objective of course and the winner on Sunday afternoon will more or less have one foot in the Division Two league final and a day out in Croke Park.

Monaghan’s task is made that bit tougher given the fact that the game is to be played at Páirc Tailteann and the home Meath support will be hoping to cheer their side onto victory and to promotion.

The Farney men certainly won’t fear the Royals and in the case of a potential shootout, Monaghan will back their arsenal in attack. They have been scoring freely so far throughout the season and that’s been a major feature of their campaign.

The older heads of Jack McCarron, Darren Hughes and Kieran Duffy are slowly but surely finding their way back into the starting 15, while the younger lads on the panel have certainly stood up so far.

Rory Beggan has been his impressive self as well and is one of their main scoring threats, and how Monaghan deal with the new goalkeeper rule, where a player must replace him in defence if he goes forward, will be interesting.

Meath haven’t been shy on the scoreboard either and Monaghan will be well aware of their goal threat, with the Royals bagging eight goals in their last four games, including three the last day out against Westmeath.

The full-forward line of Jordan Morris, Shane Walsh and Eoghan Frayne have the potential to rack up big scores and Monaghan will have their hands full in that regard. If they can deal with the home ground, then Monaghan certainly have the talent to come out on top.

Check out this week’s podcast with Ronan O’Neill and Shaun Casey, looking ahead to this week’s action. The podcast is brought to you in association with Hastings Everglades Hotel