Taste of success drives Meath goalkeeper Sean Brennan on

Such is his presence that it feels like Sean Brennan has been manning the Meath goal for a long time now but he only made his debut in last year's Tailteann Cup clash with Tipperary.

The Dunderry player was a member of the successful 2018 county minor side that lost to Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

A grandson of former Meath All-Ireland medal winner and selector, Tony Brennan, he says the prospect of making his Leinster championship debut against Longford in Pearse Park on Sunday is hugely exciting.

"I’m like a kid on Christmas Eve to be honest," he says.

"There is not much that can beat it (championship football).

"Unlike a lot of teams, we had last week off so there was a chat, a lot of hard work and now it’s all about prepping mentally and physically.

"It’s not an easy place to be heading to."

Daunting as an away visit to Pearse Park is, Brennan is thoroughly enjoying life as Meath’s number one.

He knows he can’t rest either because there are two brilliant goalkeepers pushing him - brothers Billy and Harry Hogan – for the position.

But he loves the challenge that the inter-county game brings.

"Last year I said to my mother and father that I could see how lads would do this for 10 and 15 years.

"But it was great for me in my first year that we won a bit of silverware. Players like Donal Keogan had to wait a while for that so I got lucky and I know that."

There’s been a lot of work invested as well, however.

Former Ipswich Town and Dublin GAA goalkeeper Shane Supple has been coaching with Meath GAA goalkeepers in the past few years.

Supple was a brilliant goalkeeper and has worked with Brennan to great effect at under-20 and senior level.

Meanwhile, the guiding hand of Trevor Giles has helped shape Brennan’s growing influence