Defending Lidl League champions Meath were uncharacteristically poor in new manager Davy Nelson's first game in charge, according to former Donegal footballer Nadine Doherty.The Royals have rekindled their rivalry with neighbours Dublin recent years, overtaking the Metropolitans in the pecking order as they put back-to-back All-Ireland victories together.The first of those blocked the Dubs' drive for five, but Meath proved it was no fluke as they backed it up last year, claiming a first Division 1 NFL title along the way.Dublin though reminded the All-Ireland champions that they haven't gone away with an opening night league victory at DCU last Saturday, winning by six points.Speaking on RTÉ's Game On, Doherty, while acknowledging that it's still only January, suggested it was one of Meath's poorest performances of the last few years."It was a very difficult first outing for Davy Neslon," she began."He was approaching it without a lot of his big names.
Stacey Grimes kept them in touch with frees, but she also uncharacteristically missed a lot of frees in the first half. Had she nailed them it might have been closer."For Meath I felt they were really flat.
I know it's only the first game of the league but I just felt that there was a low energy about them."I felt their defence was so loose at times.
Dublin made unforced errors and lost possession, but they were able to gather it back without a Meath player intercepting."Meath were so poor in possession at times.