Bryan Menton and Padraic Harnan ready to return to Meath and work under new boss Robbie Brennan

Meath’s new boss Robbie Brennan has got his reign off to a flying start by securing the return of Padraic Harnan and Bryan Menton.

Menton has missed the last two years but rejoins a panel eager to make a Leinster breakthrough after 14 years of hurt.

Eoin Harkin is also due to return to the squad once Dunsany’s Leinster club campaign ends, while Daithi McGowan is also involved in a Leinster hurling campaign with Ratoath.

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Brennan, who has replaced Colm O’Rourke as boss, also indicated that the door is open for another Ratoath hurler, Conor McGill: “I've yet to speak to Conor but if the hunger is there for these guys, absolutely yeah, you'd love to have them in.”

And confirmation was also provided that Cillian O’Sullivan has a future with the Royals, despite the harrowing medical strain he has endured in the last two years.

Somehow O’Sullivan managed to play senior football for Meath in 2024 even though he has MS.

Brennan said: “I've spoken with Cillian already. What an inspirational guy he is, an inspirational story to get back to where he currently is. He seems really eager to go so as soon as he's ready, you know, we'll manage it with Cillian but he knows his body better than we do.

“When he's able to go, he's able to go. And if he needs a rest, he needs a rest. Someone of his experience and ability, particularly if the new rules come on...like, I'm years watching him take on guys one on one. That kind of game would suit Cillian down to the ground I think. So all going well we'd be delighted to have him.

“Like, the story aside, Cillian getting back from his diagnosis, just what he has done with Meath down through the years, you can't buy that type of experience. So it would be very important to have him around the group.”

With so many young players emerging from their successful minor and Under 20 sides, Brennan is aiming to blend youth with experience.

However, one obstacle to his experimentation plans is the removal of the O’Byrne Cup from the GAA calendar.

And he is not a fan of the decision to scrap the pre-season tournament.

The former Kilmacud Crokes boss said: “As a new management in with a new group, it's hugely frustrating.

“Plus there are the new rules. The return date is December 7 or whatever it is so it's nearly nigh on impossible (to be up to speed for the league). And for some counties the league is maybe not so relevant because they might be guaranteed to be competing for Sam further down the road and to be involved in that series.

“For us it's hugely important and I'm sure there are a lot of counties in that regard. So the league isn't a flippant thing for us.

“It's a massive, massive thing for us and to have whatever it is, I think it's 20 possible training sessions, if you go from the start date to the first game on the 25th of January against Cork, and you'll have to fit a few challenge games in there.

“It is just very difficult. There's no point in playing the poor mouth already but it is tricky, particularly with the new rules.

“It would be brilliant if they changed their minds.

“Because everyone is going around ringing looking for as good a challenge game as you can possibly get. Everyone is trying to try stuff, and to not show stuff at the same time, while you're trying all this stuff.

“So the O'Byrne Cup would have been brilliant. Yeah, I'd absolutely appeal to them to bring that back in but I don't see it happening at this stage. That horse has surely bolted.”