Meath defeat 'a kick up the rear' for Kerry

Even though Kerry were short a number of key personnel in their All-Ireland series loss to Meath, the manner of the defeat will be concerning, says Peter Canavan.

The Royals ran out comfortable winners at Glenisk O'Connor Park, an outcome that leaves the Kingdom facing an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final clash next week.

Meath are straight through to a quarter-finals, with Canavan full of praise for their effort, when saying: "They are playing a brilliant brand of football and move the ball fast".

For Kerry, Sean O'Shea joined with Paudie Clifford, Paul Geaney, Diarmuid O'Connor, Barry Dan O’Sullivan and Brian Ó Beaglaoich on the treatment table.

Despite those absentees, Tyrone's two-time All-Ireland winner was critical of the attitude shown by Jack O'Connor's side.

"I suppose people will bemoan the fact that Kerry were missing a few key player - Paudie Clifford, Seanie O'Shea and Diarmuid O'Connor - but Meath were also missing a few key men in James Conlon and Matthew Costello," he said.

"If you take an opposition for granted and don't apply yourself with energy and aggression then teams can tear you apart. If you have footballers that can hit the ball over the bar from the two-point arc, very quickly you can be blown away.

"I've said before, it's Paudie Clifford that makes this team tick" - Peter Canavan analyses Kerry's performance in defeat to Meath #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/1tClZwVrQm — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 14, 2025

"From a Kerry perspective, that was most alarming. They sat off Meath and whether it was showing them a complete lack of respect or maybe they have come through a hard training spell, you don't know, but they took Meath for granted.

"It's a kick up the rear Kerry need at this stage."

Canavan singled out the return of one player as being key to Kerry's hopes going forward.

"They are still very much All-Ireland contenders and it's Paudie Clifford that makes this team tick. You put him back in with Diarmuid (O'Connor) and Seanie O'Shea and I do think they are a different animal."

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