Meath boss Colm O’Rourke says his side must improve if they are to challenge Dublin at Croke Park in six days’ time.

The Royals booked their Leinster SFC quarter-final berth against the All-Ireland champions thanks to a 3-19 to 3-12 victory over Longford yesterday at Pearse Park, where the visitors conceded a couple of late goals after having coasted for most of the game.

Speaking to Sean Perry of RTE Sport afterwards, O’Rourke said the same kind of defending against the Midlanders late on would see them shut out by the Dubs at headquarters this Sunday.

"For the last 20 years we've been going to Croke Park and getting hammered by Dublin, not just beaten. We've been like a barking dog with them and not landing any blows. You Sean, as a classical scholar, would know Lupus Non Timet Canem Latrantem (A wolf is not afraid of a barking dog) so you could and translate that and you'll know how I feel about Dublin

"On our side we've been doing a lot of barking but no biting when it came to Dublin for a long, long time, so I'm hoping we'll do a bit better this time.

"If we defend like we did near the end, they'll have three goals in the first 10 minutes. But I'm confident the team is developing and we will be better. I'm looking forward to it and we'll certainly not be putting out the white flag."

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