MEATH midfielder Jack Flynn is enjoying his second coming and is ‘hungry’ for action again.
The 2023 Tailteann Cup final man of the match has been lording it in the middle alongside Bryan Menton for new Royals boss Robbie Brennan.
Both players made high-profile comebacks for 2025, having not featured in last year’s Championship under Colm O’Rourke.
Former captain Menton returned after missing two seasons while Flynn surprisingly exited the panel last year after just two league games.
Ex-boss O’Rourke said at the time that a combination of his studies and poor form had convinced Flynn to step away.
The powerful duo have started all four of Meath’s Division 2 games, inspiring the Royals to joint top spot after three consecutive wins.
Asked if he needed the break, Ratoath man Flynn said: “I think so. I’ve been working hard and the hunger is definitely there.
“It’s paying off, all the tough training.
“We’re enjoying it. We’re all expressing ourselves, no one is afraid to make mistakes.”
Flynn and Menton both stand over six feet tall while Brennan has several man-mountain performers to call from the bench.
Meath have a big advantage around midfield which has become a battleground under the new rules, with most kick-outs going long.
Flynn added: “It’s basically like a three- or four-man midfield for us.
“The long kick-outs are really suiting us because we have three or four big men in there, and more on the bench to come in — the likes of Conor Gray and Daithí McGowan — so it’s really helping us.”
Meath will return to Division 1 for the first time since 2020 if they win the last three games.
They head to Mullingar to face rock-bottom Westmeath next Sunday and should have some key performers available again.
Mathew Costello is expected back, having not featured since hitting ten points against Cork in the first round.
Dunsany’s Eoin Harkin, another player recalled by Brennan after sitting out 2024, is set to return.
Former AFL player Cian McBride (hand) is also back from injury.
Flynn said: “It’s shaping up nicely.”
But Westmeath always give their neighbours a stern test.
Flynn added: “Hopefully we’ll get a good travelling crowd behind us.”
