Meath Forum

The Andy Mc Factor - Tailteann Cup

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Shows how bad Wexford were. We haven't really resolved the defensive problems we have had all year I still don't know why hogan isn't getting a start I have a feeling he's been hung out a bit, but a gk is only as good as what is in front of him. I've no issues with Brennan he's a good keeper but for me hogan is no 1. The sideline today made some very odd calls, was it a case of thinking game over ? Or just making mistakes. ? I don't know. As I said it was exciting at times and I enjoyed been back in croker but this team and the way we set up, I have a feeling we just paper over the cracks by facing very poor teams throughout this competition (Down and surprisingly Antrim ) been the exceptions. We can say we have 12/13 debuts or whatever but from my view that holds its own problems 1, you need to blend in new players easy and not throw in a bunch in the one year (mod did that and it cost us big time) are we making the same mistakes again ? Is it a skryne thing ? I jest but for me it's too much , now I know the likes of lynch McGowan coffee etc we're all on the panel last year but only played this so wouldn't exactly call them new to ic set up but new to playing. Also this auld tactic of naming dud teams is getting boring, Jones was in no way fit to play today and looked it when he came on, McGowan must be getting mighty annoyed at constantly been named and dropped. And caulfield isn't ready yet imo and should be allowed to develop a bit more. I see us as having a pretty settled ff line hf line still looks a bit uneasy, midfield is doing ok against poor opposition, hb line is still a worry and our weakest link is definitely the fb line. Which unless changes are made for next year I can't see how we won't avoid this competition again . That's why the final is so important we won't avoid it by league and loosing our seeding in Leinster could really destroy us. So we need to beat Down no matter what"
Brennan was really good today catching two high balls brilliantly in the air. As other posters have referred to, I thought that was Matthew costello's best game in a meath shirt and stood up in the final stages. Management team made a really necessary switch at half time which led us to a brilliant 3rd quarter but after that it was a bit disappointing. If we do stand of Down like we did to antrim today we will get punished and punished badly. Brilliant to get to a final and it would be brilliant to see Donal Keoghan climb steps to lift the trophy.

contributingtoamelee (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 26/06/2023 00:04:13    2489348

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Replying To Royal.Legend:  "I disagree royaldunne, if meath win I can see huge crowds in navan for the homecoming, big meath crowd there today in croke Park which is good to see."
Yes big crowd. But I think a homecoming would be a mute affair. Could be wrong and if I am fair play. . I was there in 87 88 90 91 96 99 01. But I can't see myself attending for a TC homecoming. Now who knows if the occasion takes me over I might just head down. But at the moment I'd say no.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 26/06/2023 06:51:34    2489353

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Baffling to me why Eoghan Frayne isn't starting for one and secondly isn't coming off the bench, all of our subs struggled hugely yesterday. Frayne's class and composure is exactly what the game needed.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 147 - 26/06/2023 08:04:29    2489361

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Shows how bad Wexford were. We haven't really resolved the defensive problems we have had all year I still don't know why hogan isn't getting a start I have a feeling he's been hung out a bit, but a gk is only as good as what is in front of him. I've no issues with Brennan he's a good keeper but for me hogan is no 1. The sideline today made some very odd calls, was it a case of thinking game over ? Or just making mistakes. ? I don't know. As I said it was exciting at times and I enjoyed been back in croker but this team and the way we set up, I have a feeling we just paper over the cracks by facing very poor teams throughout this competition (Down and surprisingly Antrim ) been the exceptions. We can say we have 12/13 debuts or whatever but from my view that holds its own problems 1, you need to blend in new players easy and not throw in a bunch in the one year (mod did that and it cost us big time) are we making the same mistakes again ? Is it a skryne thing ? I jest but for me it's too much , now I know the likes of lynch McGowan coffee etc we're all on the panel last year but only played this so wouldn't exactly call them new to ic set up but new to playing. Also this auld tactic of naming dud teams is getting boring, Jones was in no way fit to play today and looked it when he came on, McGowan must be getting mighty annoyed at constantly been named and dropped. And caulfield isn't ready yet imo and should be allowed to develop a bit more. I see us as having a pretty settled ff line hf line still looks a bit uneasy, midfield is doing ok against poor opposition, hb line is still a worry and our weakest link is definitely the fb line. Which unless changes are made for next year I can't see how we won't avoid this competition again . That's why the final is so important we won't avoid it by league and loosing our seeding in Leinster could really destroy us. So we need to beat Down no matter what"
Lynch was 100% not on the panel last year.

Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 632 - 26/06/2023 12:37:40    2489504

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Baffling to me why Eoghan Frayne isn't starting for one and secondly isn't coming off the bench, all of our subs struggled hugely yesterday. Frayne's class and composure is exactly what the game needed."
is he match fit enough?

Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 632 - 26/06/2023 12:42:56    2489509

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Baffling to me why Eoghan Frayne isn't starting for one and secondly isn't coming off the bench, all of our subs struggled hugely yesterday. Frayne's class and composure is exactly what the game needed."
It is only one game but saw frayne in a league game a few weeks back...did not stand out even remotely..very disappointing but as I said that's only one game

Ed2010 (Meath) - Posts: 93 - 26/06/2023 14:40:01    2489607

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Replying To Irish_downunder:  "is he match fit enough?"
Starting??? behave yourself. Sure he didn't stand out all in this years u20 championship so no idea how you could justify saying he should start ahead of Lynch Costello and Morris. Who would you drop for him?? Whatever about coming off the bench. The management seeing him 2 or 3 times a week and obviously don't feel he is doing enough or ready yet.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 872 - 26/06/2023 15:08:03    2489629

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Replying To Blackspot09:  "Starting??? behave yourself. Sure he didn't stand out all in this years u20 championship so no idea how you could justify saying he should start ahead of Lynch Costello and Morris. Who would you drop for him?? Whatever about coming off the bench. The management seeing him 2 or 3 times a week and obviously don't feel he is doing enough or ready yet."
He stood out more than Conor Gray for the 20s did this year and look how Conor Gray is getting on with the seniors??

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 147 - 26/06/2023 18:32:46    2489758

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Replying To Ed2010:  "It is only one game but saw frayne in a league game a few weeks back...did not stand out even remotely..very disappointing but as I said that's only one game"
what game was that? i went to most league games where he was head and shoulders standing apart from the rest. Championship he struggled a little but apparently was carrying a shoulder injury.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 147 - 26/06/2023 18:40:28    2489762

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "He stood out more than Conor Gray for the 20s did this year and look how Conor Gray is getting on with the seniors??"
He absolutely didn't stand out more than Gray. He was quite disappointing in the 20s this year going by what I had seen of him in the previous years. Gray had a decent first half v Dublin in Navan. Frayne was absolutely anonymous in that game from minute 1.

Plus midfield for the Seniors is a problem position for us with injury and also nobody nailing down a slot bar Jones when fit. You didn't answer my question if you were starting him who would you drop for him?

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 872 - 27/06/2023 08:29:22    2489839

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Replying To Blackspot09:  "He absolutely didn't stand out more than Gray. He was quite disappointing in the 20s this year going by what I had seen of him in the previous years. Gray had a decent first half v Dublin in Navan. Frayne was absolutely anonymous in that game from minute 1.

Plus midfield for the Seniors is a problem position for us with injury and also nobody nailing down a slot bar Jones when fit. You didn't answer my question if you were starting him who would you drop for him?"
Im happy with midfield and think we have the emergence of possibly the best midfield pairing since McDermott/McGuiness.

Early days but really happy with progress in this area of the field.

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1792 - 27/06/2023 11:53:37    2489958

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Replying To bert09:  "Im happy with midfield and think we have the emergence of possibly the best midfield pairing since McDermott/McGuiness.

Early days but really happy with progress in this area of the field."
I agree. Gray Jones Flynn are 3 good options

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 872 - 27/06/2023 12:03:34    2489966

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Baffling to me why Eoghan Frayne isn't starting for one and secondly isn't coming off the bench, all of our subs struggled hugely yesterday. Frayne's class and composure is exactly what the game needed."
Think the front 3 are playing very well and no reason to change them. They hit something like 2-10 on Sunday between them, most of that from play - and something similar against Wexford (1-12ish I think?)

It's good go have competition and Frayne is young, certainly looks good at club level but definitely didn't do enough with the 20s this year, and Shane Walsh has to come back too - so plenty of competition around the team which is good to see.

hyperache (Meath) - Posts: 209 - 27/06/2023 12:30:48    2489998

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Replying To Blackspot09:  "He absolutely didn't stand out more than Gray. He was quite disappointing in the 20s this year going by what I had seen of him in the previous years. Gray had a decent first half v Dublin in Navan. Frayne was absolutely anonymous in that game from minute 1.

Plus midfield for the Seniors is a problem position for us with injury and also nobody nailing down a slot bar Jones when fit. You didn't answer my question if you were starting him who would you drop for him?"
Aaron lynch or James mcentee he's better than both, remember this thread once Frayne gets a few games into him. He's one of the best prospects ive seen meath in a long time, he had a much better underage career than Conor Gray who I'm a massive fan of, I was mocked on one of these forums a few months ago for saying Conor Gray should be starting (this was after the 20s campaign) FYI Frayne played the Dublin championship game with a banged up shoulder, he should never have played. The fact that caulfield is getting more minutes than Frayne is laughable.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 147 - 27/06/2023 18:16:15    2490218

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Aaron lynch or James mcentee he's better than both, remember this thread once Frayne gets a few games into him. He's one of the best prospects ive seen meath in a long time, he had a much better underage career than Conor Gray who I'm a massive fan of, I was mocked on one of these forums a few months ago for saying Conor Gray should be starting (this was after the 20s campaign) FYI Frayne played the Dublin championship game with a banged up shoulder, he should never have played. The fact that caulfield is getting more minutes than Frayne is laughable."
My god.

He may turn out to be better than both long term (although i have my doubts) but to say he should be starting ahead kd them now if ridiculous.

As far as having a banged up shoulder v Dublin in the 20s. I was at all the 20s games this year and he was between a 6/10 to 7.5/10 at best in all those games . Wasn't poor but certainly wasn't standing out as being outstanding.

Plenty of time next year for him to prove he is up to it but he is obviously not showing enough on training to convince management he is ready to go and they can't just put him in because he was a good minor and does ok at club level.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 872 - 28/06/2023 09:23:26    2490321

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I've said it before and I'll stand by it - Frayne will be a very good club footballer, but regarding senior intercounty - he will not get his game at all. He does not have the pace to play intercounty. He'd be lost in Croke Park at senior level.

Tinchy1 (Meath) - Posts: 60 - 28/06/2023 10:12:05    2490332

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Replying To Tinchy1:  "I've said it before and I'll stand by it - Frayne will be a very good club footballer, but regarding senior intercounty - he will not get his game at all. He does not have the pace to play intercounty. He'd be lost in Croke Park at senior level."
To say that a young lad will never make it at Senior county level, particularly one who has stood out at every level he has played is a very brave statement!

I have been following Meath under age league football for many years - In my opinion, Eoin has more about him than a lot of the other lads who get talked up! I don't think he is ready for Senior just yet but I think he's not far off!!

Interestingly, Jordan Morris, Aaron Lynch, Matt Costello were all stand out players with their clubs at juvenile level and each one of them have had games with the county that would leave you thinking they weren't up to the standard - however, they have all had games recently where you could think they were going to be massive stars!!

I also look at Gray - and laugh when some people talk about our midfield and experience! jack Flynn is only 21 and Daithi McGowan is only 23 - still young for inter county midfielders!!

Time will tell with these guys!!

Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 482 - 29/06/2023 13:52:48    2490631

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Replying To Royalblufill:  "To say that a young lad will never make it at Senior county level, particularly one who has stood out at every level he has played is a very brave statement!

I have been following Meath under age league football for many years - In my opinion, Eoin has more about him than a lot of the other lads who get talked up! I don't think he is ready for Senior just yet but I think he's not far off!!

Interestingly, Jordan Morris, Aaron Lynch, Matt Costello were all stand out players with their clubs at juvenile level and each one of them have had games with the county that would leave you thinking they weren't up to the standard - however, they have all had games recently where you could think they were going to be massive stars!!

I also look at Gray - and laugh when some people talk about our midfield and experience! jack Flynn is only 21 and Daithi McGowan is only 23 - still young for inter county midfielders!!

Time will tell with these guys!!"
Something else that is maybe hardly appropriate here is where a player is described as being treated unfairly because he is not on the team. Surely the selectors and management team see them in training ,and are best placed to select a player. it is understandable that our " favourite " may not be selected and generate negative comments against management,but hardly fair. Where a player is deselected because of loss of form or attitude areas . The primary responsibility is with that player to bridge the gap that caused de selection .If he is not prepared to do that thats his choice .full stop.Why should somebody else be held accountable?
My point being it can be easy to contribute to a negative attitude without real justification.
When all is said and done these vibes and even agendas are unhelpful. We have every right to give objective opinion that might be constructive otherwise any forum could continue to lose posters and interest.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1228 - 29/06/2023 21:08:30    2490741

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Aaron lynch or James mcentee he's better than both, remember this thread once Frayne gets a few games into him. He's one of the best prospects ive seen meath in a long time, he had a much better underage career than Conor Gray who I'm a massive fan of, I was mocked on one of these forums a few months ago for saying Conor Gray should be starting (this was after the 20s campaign) FYI Frayne played the Dublin championship game with a banged up shoulder, he should never have played. The fact that caulfield is getting more minutes than Frayne is laughable."
As you said here - Frayne is a fine prospect. Lynch and McEntee were good prospects in the past and are now more experienced and more likely to be more effective at the moent. O'Rourke is one of the best forward of all time and I am confident that he is making the best call on this. Hopefully, Frayne's chance will come with injuries, loss of form of players etc and lets hope that he takes it.

The comparison with Caulfield is strange - they are both playing different positions and Caulfield came on as a wing back vs Antrim so not comparable.

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 224 - 30/06/2023 10:15:26    2490789

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I have to say that while I thought Meath lost championship games due to Andy Mc Entee selections , He has certainly impressed with Antrim. Most of Antrim is bitterly opposed to GAA at a nasty level that is off the scale. Then the nationalist people opt for soccer. The GAA section is mainly hurling. Yet he nearly turned Colm over in the Semi. The expression when giving the mandatory 'winners' handshake showed a bit of annoyance at been shown up.
Well done. Just shows a change can invigorate

Ashrules (Dublin) - Posts: 519 - 01/07/2023 13:39:02    2491012

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