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What's the opinion now coming into the final round of games

Pintsandpoints (Meath) - Posts: 12 - 16/08/2023 16:07:17    2500841

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Replying To Pintsandpoints:  "What's the opinion now coming into the final round of games"
It's an open championship, lots of teams have a chance.

Group A was probably the group of death coming into it with 3 of the stronger teams on paper all in one group. I originally predicted Rathkenny and Oldcastle to progress but looks like Oldcastle threw it away with defeat to Drumbaragh. Don't have them beating Rathkenny in the final game so Rathkenny and NOM to prgoress. I don't think NOM are that good though, fortunate draw in the opener and 1 point to spare last time out. Bit different to last year when Dunshaughlin were clearly the best team, NOM will have to be perfect to win it.

Group B - I always had Duleek and Castletown progressing here, so big game to see who tops the group. On paper there doesn't look to be much between them, both had similar enough margain wins in the opening two rounds. I'm going to favour Castletown, think Duleek are capable of the odd stinker and no better time to have it than now.

Group C - Looks like Walterstown and Ballivor will progress, Nobber were resilient against Longwood as they looked to be maybe favs for relegation, but have given themselves an outside chance of progressing. Walterstown will probably be too strong, and I think Ballivor will get over Longwood.

Group D - Another fascinating group, St Pat's have sealed their path to the next round and it's winner takes all between Meath Hill and Bective. I think Meath Hill are a better team and the fact the game is in Drumcondrath might help them, but wouldn't be surprised if Bective nicked it. Dunderry look a bit all over the place

Group Winners:
NOM
Castletown
Walterstown
St Pat's

Runners up:
Rathkenny
Duleek/Bellewstown
Balivor
Meath Hill

To be relegated: Dunderry or Drumbaragh - I just feel like some of the other relegation candidates have shown a bit of something. Longwood have put a good score up twice, Nobber ground out a win last time, Drumbaragh shocked Oldcastle last week but I'm not sure they'll do it again, and Blackhall Gaels should a bit of fight in both of their games.

Dunderry hit 0-6 vs Meath Hill and 1-7 vs Bective. They seem to have nothing in the forward line and could be serious trouble.

hyperache (Meath) - Posts: 209 - 16/08/2023 17:52:24    2500868

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Replying To Pintsandpoints:  "What's the opinion now coming into the final round of games"
Nothing to suggest it will be anyone other than the 3 favourites, Navan, Rathkenny & Duleek.

Meathball (Meath) - Posts: 140 - 16/08/2023 21:08:13    2500884

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Was a the Navan v Rathkenny Game , Navan looked good in patches in the first half but a lot of unforced errors costed them , Rathkenny played very well and still came up short ,
Thought Duleek would of bet Blackhall by more

I think Oldcastle could cause a shock on the last day and beat Rathkenny , Rathkenny rely too much on Keith Curtis

Jpjohnny (Meath) - Posts: 11 - 17/08/2023 09:45:36    2500908

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St. Pats wont be far off in the intermediate

royler (Meath) - Posts: 259 - 17/08/2023 09:50:28    2500910

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Replying To hyperache:  "It's an open championship, lots of teams have a chance.

Group A was probably the group of death coming into it with 3 of the stronger teams on paper all in one group. I originally predicted Rathkenny and Oldcastle to progress but looks like Oldcastle threw it away with defeat to Drumbaragh. Don't have them beating Rathkenny in the final game so Rathkenny and NOM to prgoress. I don't think NOM are that good though, fortunate draw in the opener and 1 point to spare last time out. Bit different to last year when Dunshaughlin were clearly the best team, NOM will have to be perfect to win it.

Group B - I always had Duleek and Castletown progressing here, so big game to see who tops the group. On paper there doesn't look to be much between them, both had similar enough margain wins in the opening two rounds. I'm going to favour Castletown, think Duleek are capable of the odd stinker and no better time to have it than now.

Group C - Looks like Walterstown and Ballivor will progress, Nobber were resilient against Longwood as they looked to be maybe favs for relegation, but have given themselves an outside chance of progressing. Walterstown will probably be too strong, and I think Ballivor will get over Longwood.

Group D - Another fascinating group, St Pat's have sealed their path to the next round and it's winner takes all between Meath Hill and Bective. I think Meath Hill are a better team and the fact the game is in Drumcondrath might help them, but wouldn't be surprised if Bective nicked it. Dunderry look a bit all over the place

Group Winners:
NOM
Castletown
Walterstown
St Pat's

Runners up:
Rathkenny
Duleek/Bellewstown
Balivor
Meath Hill

To be relegated: Dunderry or Drumbaragh - I just feel like some of the other relegation candidates have shown a bit of something. Longwood have put a good score up twice, Nobber ground out a win last time, Drumbaragh shocked Oldcastle last week but I'm not sure they'll do it again, and Blackhall Gaels should a bit of fight in both of their games.

Dunderry hit 0-6 vs Meath Hill and 1-7 vs Bective. They seem to have nothing in the forward line and could be serious trouble."
Going by your logic here Drumbaragh cannot be relegated as you have Rathkenny to go through with NOM. Oldcastle must beat Rathkenny to avoid relegation trouble and in that case, they would go through ahead of Rathkenny if NOM beat Drumbaragh.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 515 - 17/08/2023 11:30:13    2500941

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Replying To winatallcost:  "
Replying To hyperache:  "It's an open championship, lots of teams have a chance.

Group A was probably the group of death coming into it with 3 of the stronger teams on paper all in one group. I originally predicted Rathkenny and Oldcastle to progress but looks like Oldcastle threw it away with defeat to Drumbaragh. Don't have them beating Rathkenny in the final game so Rathkenny and NOM to prgoress. I don't think NOM are that good though, fortunate draw in the opener and 1 point to spare last time out. Bit different to last year when Dunshaughlin were clearly the best team, NOM will have to be perfect to win it.

Group B - I always had Duleek and Castletown progressing here, so big game to see who tops the group. On paper there doesn't look to be much between them, both had similar enough margain wins in the opening two rounds. I'm going to favour Castletown, think Duleek are capable of the odd stinker and no better time to have it than now.

Group C - Looks like Walterstown and Ballivor will progress, Nobber were resilient against Longwood as they looked to be maybe favs for relegation, but have given themselves an outside chance of progressing. Walterstown will probably be too strong, and I think Ballivor will get over Longwood.

Group D - Another fascinating group, St Pat's have sealed their path to the next round and it's winner takes all between Meath Hill and Bective. I think Meath Hill are a better team and the fact the game is in Drumcondrath might help them, but wouldn't be surprised if Bective nicked it. Dunderry look a bit all over the place

Group Winners:
NOM
Castletown
Walterstown
St Pat's

Runners up:
Rathkenny
Duleek/Bellewstown
Balivor
Meath Hill

To be relegated: Dunderry or Drumbaragh - I just feel like some of the other relegation candidates have shown a bit of something. Longwood have put a good score up twice, Nobber ground out a win last time, Drumbaragh shocked Oldcastle last week but I'm not sure they'll do it again, and Blackhall Gaels should a bit of fight in both of their games.

Dunderry hit 0-6 vs Meath Hill and 1-7 vs Bective. They seem to have nothing in the forward line and could be serious trouble."
Going by your logic here Drumbaragh cannot be relegated as you have Rathkenny to go through with NOM. Oldcastle must beat Rathkenny to avoid relegation trouble and in that case, they would go through ahead of Rathkenny if NOM beat Drumbaragh."
How do you figure that can't happen? I have Rathkenny beating Oldcastle which will take them to 4 points in the group, and I have NOM beating Drumbaragh which will move them top the group with 5 points.

Drumbaragh with 2 points and Oldcastle with 1 both go into the relegation 1/4 final. I'm not explicitly saying this will happen, as there's been all sorts of twists and turns so far - but you're saying it can't happen which is false.

hyperache (Meath) - Posts: 209 - 17/08/2023 14:47:45    2501005

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Replying To hyperache:  "
Replying To winatallcost:  "[quote=hyperache:  "It's an open championship, lots of teams have a chance.

Group A was probably the group of death coming into it with 3 of the stronger teams on paper all in one group. I originally predicted Rathkenny and Oldcastle to progress but looks like Oldcastle threw it away with defeat to Drumbaragh. Don't have them beating Rathkenny in the final game so Rathkenny and NOM to prgoress. I don't think NOM are that good though, fortunate draw in the opener and 1 point to spare last time out. Bit different to last year when Dunshaughlin were clearly the best team, NOM will have to be perfect to win it.

Group B - I always had Duleek and Castletown progressing here, so big game to see who tops the group. On paper there doesn't look to be much between them, both had similar enough margain wins in the opening two rounds. I'm going to favour Castletown, think Duleek are capable of the odd stinker and no better time to have it than now.

Group C - Looks like Walterstown and Ballivor will progress, Nobber were resilient against Longwood as they looked to be maybe favs for relegation, but have given themselves an outside chance of progressing. Walterstown will probably be too strong, and I think Ballivor will get over Longwood.

Group D - Another fascinating group, St Pat's have sealed their path to the next round and it's winner takes all between Meath Hill and Bective. I think Meath Hill are a better team and the fact the game is in Drumcondrath might help them, but wouldn't be surprised if Bective nicked it. Dunderry look a bit all over the place

Group Winners:
NOM
Castletown
Walterstown
St Pat's

Runners up:
Rathkenny
Duleek/Bellewstown
Balivor
Meath Hill

To be relegated: Dunderry or Drumbaragh - I just feel like some of the other relegation candidates have shown a bit of something. Longwood have put a good score up twice, Nobber ground out a win last time, Drumbaragh shocked Oldcastle last week but I'm not sure they'll do it again, and Blackhall Gaels should a bit of fight in both of their games.

Dunderry hit 0-6 vs Meath Hill and 1-7 vs Bective. They seem to have nothing in the forward line and could be serious trouble."
Going by your logic here Drumbaragh cannot be relegated as you have Rathkenny to go through with NOM. Oldcastle must beat Rathkenny to avoid relegation trouble and in that case, they would go through ahead of Rathkenny if NOM beat Drumbaragh."
How do you figure that can't happen? I have Rathkenny beating Oldcastle which will take them to 4 points in the group, and I have NOM beating Drumbaragh which will move them top the group with 5 points.

Drumbaragh with 2 points and Oldcastle with 1 both go into the relegation 1/4 final. I'm not explicitly saying this will happen, as there's been all sorts of twists and turns so far - but you're saying it can't happen which is false."]Apologies you are right. I didn't consider for relegation quarter finals. To me this seems a bit much with teams potentially having to play 3 games to decide their fate.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 515 - 17/08/2023 20:36:30    2501079

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So with the 1/4s coming up this weekend who we looking at going through , anyone that might get a shock win

end2end (Meath) - Posts: 7 - 04/09/2023 13:17:02    2502987

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I think O'Mahony's beat Ballivor in a much tighter game than some might imagine. Ballivor are hardy, dogged and with their full compliment have quality all over the pitch. However, O'Mahony's topped the group of death and have to be favourites at this stage for me. I think they win by 4.

Rathkenny - Walterstown is definitely the pick of the ties for me with 2 contenders going head to head. I would say Rathkenny having survived a scare against Oldcastle to advance are slight favourites but it could go either way. I'll say Rathkenny by 2.

Duleek/Bellewstown should account for Meath Hill in my opinion. Meath Hill have had a very good year playing consistent, fast paced football but Duleek have more up front and I think that will be the winning of the game. D/B by 5.

St. Pats are 1 of the form teams in this championship while Castletown will be over the moon to qualify for a 1/4 final having come up last year and despite the adamant claims that they are among the weakest in the grade by posters on this earlier in the year. As with the game above, Pats have quality up front that should see them over the line here by 4.

TigerKing (Meath) - Posts: 33 - 04/09/2023 17:39:16    2503055

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NOM vs Ballivor - I agree that this will be closer than some think..Ballivor have a real chance here and they have the quality. That said, I'll back Navan but in a 1 score game.

Rathkenny vs Walterstown - this is an exciting one! Rathkenny came out of that tough group but walterstown are flying right now. I'll back Rathkenny to come through a tight game..also just a score between them!

Duleek vs Mhill - I'm going to go against the grain here and go for a Meath Hill win. They beat Duleek last year in the group stage and have come on an awful lot since then. Like all the QFs, this will be a tight finish either way!

Pats vs Castletown - Castletown are riding high but I think this is where their luck runs out. Pats are flying this year and have already won a league and cup. Will be tight for most of the game but I expect Pats to pull away near the finish and win comfortably by 6 points or so.

Won't be one bit surprised if all these predictions are wrong though!

trueblue1995 (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 05/09/2023 16:15:46    2503190

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It's very open, and there's a case to be made for any of the 8 teams to go through.

NOM Vs Ballivor: I don't think NOM are that good, certainly not as far above the grade as Dunshaughlin were last year. They've been ticking a long nicely though and came out of probably the strongest group on paper. They will have a bit too much for Ballivor. NOM by 5

Rathkenny v Walterstown: I think this one is much closer than some people think, Rathkenny have the potential to push forward and win the competition outright, but they're certainly beatable. Walterstown has a good group stage campaign, but it was very weak group. Nobber and Longwood are so so poor. Rathkenny to edge it by 2

St Pat's v Castletown: Both sides contested the relegation play off final 3 years ago but since then both teams have turned it around at the future looks bright. Good campaign so far for both sides, St Pat's look a really good side, and Castletown a good up and coming side with a lot of young players. I think it's probably come a year or two too soon for Castletown but they'll give a good account for themselves and are more than capable. St Pat's by 3

Duleek/Bellewstown v Meath Hill: Tough one to call, I think if both teams play to their potential, Duleek will be just a bit too strong but Meath Hill looked really impressive at times in the group stage. Again a very capable team and they will be eyeing up St Pat's or Castletown in the semis as a winnable fixture. But I think Duleek just have the knowhow and might edge it. They looked really good in the 2nd half against Castletown last time out, and will have the firepower to hurt Meath Hilll. D/B by 2

hyperache (Meath) - Posts: 209 - 06/09/2023 16:20:10    2503345

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I see Drumbaragh survive again!! When is North Meath going to wake up and smell the coffee. Home of relegation and junior teams. Pride has to be swallowed and amalgamations have to start. Or else likes of Drumbaragh, Gael Colmcille, Oldcastle, Ultans, Bectives, St Bridgits etc etc will be forever also rans, jersey fillers, clubs restricting good players. One senior team in North Meath GC (for now), if you count Tones there's two!!

Meathooooo (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 07/09/2023 23:16:23    2503475

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Replying To Meathooooo:  "I see Drumbaragh survive again!! When is North Meath going to wake up and smell the coffee. Home of relegation and junior teams. Pride has to be swallowed and amalgamations have to start. Or else likes of Drumbaragh, Gael Colmcille, Oldcastle, Ultans, Bectives, St Bridgits etc etc will be forever also rans, jersey fillers, clubs restricting good players. One senior team in North Meath GC (for now), if you count Tones there's two!!"
Good work being done in so many of those clubs. Kells will stay up and find their feet again and Oldcastle are a strong intermediate team with strong underage. I think that's a harsh possibly loaded comment

TigerKing (Meath) - Posts: 33 - 08/09/2023 13:46:33    2503526

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Replying To TigerKing:  "Good work being done in so many of those clubs. Kells will stay up and find their feet again and Oldcastle are a strong intermediate team with strong underage. I think that's a harsh possibly loaded comment"
Maybe it was a loaded comment
But it is hard to argue that he right

Awaywin (Meath) - Posts: 102 - 08/09/2023 15:24:33    2503535

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Replying To TigerKing:  "Good work being done in so many of those clubs. Kells will stay up and find their feet again and Oldcastle are a strong intermediate team with strong underage. I think that's a harsh possibly loaded comment"
Not loaded or harsh. Akin to Dublin/Population/Success argument. And I've absolutely no doubt massive work being done in all clubs every which way. But simple fact is NM has the weakest standard of football.

Will GC stay up, maybe, maybe not. Still does not get around the fact there is(depending on boundaries) one senior club in NM. Thats a serious indictment.

Better players playing together makes better club teams, better club teams make better County teams. This a very reasonable point.
Oldcastle Bridgits Moylagh Ballinglough all with stones throw of each other! Amalgamated at under age.

Kilmainham Drumbaragh Gael Colmcille in one parish!
Amalgamated at under age.

Cortown Ultans looking over a field at each other! Amalgamatied at underage

Moynalty Carnaross St Michael's draw a 3mile radius around them, amalgamated under age.

List goes on. It's nuts. Absolutely nuts. Adult amalgamations or Kerry approach (real regional competition)

Look at sucessful amalgamations (can stand corrected on this)
Cilles and Donaghmore Ashbourne huge numbers, great success underage. Competitive year in year out. Good coaching structures, great facilities.

For longevity and continued success, something has to give. Or else we can look forward to listening to very noisy neighbours for a very long time.

I'm not anti any one, I'm not down on small clubs, I am simply saying our club structure is the cause of our County woes.

Meathooooo (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 08/09/2023 16:06:05    2503542

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Replying To Meathooooo:  "Not loaded or harsh. Akin to Dublin/Population/Success argument. And I've absolutely no doubt massive work being done in all clubs every which way. But simple fact is NM has the weakest standard of football.

Will GC stay up, maybe, maybe not. Still does not get around the fact there is(depending on boundaries) one senior club in NM. Thats a serious indictment.

Better players playing together makes better club teams, better club teams make better County teams. This a very reasonable point.
Oldcastle Bridgits Moylagh Ballinglough all with stones throw of each other! Amalgamated at under age.

Kilmainham Drumbaragh Gael Colmcille in one parish!
Amalgamated at under age.

Cortown Ultans looking over a field at each other! Amalgamatied at underage

Moynalty Carnaross St Michael's draw a 3mile radius around them, amalgamated under age.

List goes on. It's nuts. Absolutely nuts. Adult amalgamations or Kerry approach (real regional competition)

Look at sucessful amalgamations (can stand corrected on this)
Cilles and Donaghmore Ashbourne huge numbers, great success underage. Competitive year in year out. Good coaching structures, great facilities.

For longevity and continued success, something has to give. Or else we can look forward to listening to very noisy neighbours for a very long time.

I'm not anti any one, I'm not down on small clubs, I am simply saying our club structure is the cause of our County woes."
Don't see too many ashbourne or cilles lads on meath senior team. Alot more north meath men on it.
You have it wrong way around where the problems are

Harnan6 (Meath) - Posts: 32 - 09/09/2023 09:55:04    2503574

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Replying To Harnan6:  "Don't see too many ashbourne or cilles lads on meath senior team. Alot more north meath men on it.
You have it wrong way around where the problems are"
NM had three lads on panel. Maybe four if you count Wolf Tones Adam ONeill.

Rest were made up from larger clubs.

OK no cilles fair point. But a very small portion of team is NM. Do a analysis number of clubs by region (NM) vs number of senior panelists. That will demonstrate the issue.

I still stand by my original point too many small clubs. Club structure root cause of our County issues. A real regional competition or amalgamations will help. And I actually think some smaller teams will have no choice to amalgamate or they will become teams in name only.

Meaths trumpeted 60th club has dome nothing more then dilute tye pool further.

Meathooooo (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 09/09/2023 21:04:19    2503615

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Replying To Meathooooo:  "NM had three lads on panel. Maybe four if you count Wolf Tones Adam ONeill.

Rest were made up from larger clubs.

OK no cilles fair point. But a very small portion of team is NM. Do a analysis number of clubs by region (NM) vs number of senior panelists. That will demonstrate the issue.

I still stand by my original point too many small clubs. Club structure root cause of our County issues. A real regional competition or amalgamations will help. And I actually think some smaller teams will have no choice to amalgamate or they will become teams in name only.

Meaths trumpeted 60th club has dome nothing more then dilute tye pool further."
see below for panel from tailtean cup final, take the 3/4 NM out and you still left with alot of small clubs,
In you opinion where are all the large clubs on that list.
What players would be called up if they in amalgamated clubs.
Cilles and AShbourne prob have half the population in meath yet have no one...
by the way Ballinlough are on their own at underage and so are Gaeil Colmcille.


Sean Brennan - Dunderry (5 Championship Apps.)
Adam O'Neill - Wolfe Tones (5 Championship Apps.)
Ronan Ryan - Summerhill (15 Championship Apps.)
Harry O'Higgins - Drumbaragh Emmets (6 Championship Apps.)
Donal Keogan (Captain) - Rathkenny (48 Championship Apps.)
Padraic Harnan - Moynalvey (33 Championship Apps.)
Sean Coffey - Ballinabrackey (6 Championship Apps.)
Ronan Jones - St. Peter's Dunboyne (15 Championship Apps.)
Conor Gray - Dunshaughlin (5 Championship Apps.)
Daithí McGowan - Ratoath (7 Championship Apps.)
James McEntee - Curraha (22 Championship Apps.)
Jack O'Connor - Curraha (9 Championship Apps.)
Jordan Morris - Kingscourt Stars (14 Championship Apps.)
Mathew Costello - Dunshaughlin (14 Championship Apps.)
Aaron Lynch - Trim (5 Championship Apps.)
Harry Hogan - Longwood (5 Championship Apps.)
Ciaran Caulfield - Trim (3 Championship Apps.)
Cillian O'Sullivan - Moynalvey (31 Championship Apps.)
Cathal Hickey - Seneschalstown (14 Championship Apps.)
Jack Flynn - Ratoath (7 Championship Apps.)
Eoghan Frayne - Summerhill (2 Championship App.)
Michael Flood - St. Brigid's (3 Championship Apps.)
Donal Lenihan - St. Peter's Dunboyne (16 Championship Apps.)
Diarmuid Moriarty - Curraha (1 Championship App.)
Keith Curtis - Rathkenny (2 Championship Appearances)
Ben Wyer - Ratoath (0 Championship Apps.)

Islander21 (Meath) - Posts: 12 - 10/09/2023 23:19:44    2503691

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Replying To Islander21:  "see below for panel from tailtean cup final, take the 3/4 NM out and you still left with alot of small clubs,
In you opinion where are all the large clubs on that list.
What players would be called up if they in amalgamated clubs.
Cilles and AShbourne prob have half the population in meath yet have no one...
by the way Ballinlough are on their own at underage and so are Gaeil Colmcille.


Sean Brennan - Dunderry (5 Championship Apps.)
Adam O'Neill - Wolfe Tones (5 Championship Apps.)
Ronan Ryan - Summerhill (15 Championship Apps.)
Harry O'Higgins - Drumbaragh Emmets (6 Championship Apps.)
Donal Keogan (Captain) - Rathkenny (48 Championship Apps.)
Padraic Harnan - Moynalvey (33 Championship Apps.)
Sean Coffey - Ballinabrackey (6 Championship Apps.)
Ronan Jones - St. Peter's Dunboyne (15 Championship Apps.)
Conor Gray - Dunshaughlin (5 Championship Apps.)
Daithí McGowan - Ratoath (7 Championship Apps.)
James McEntee - Curraha (22 Championship Apps.)
Jack O'Connor - Curraha (9 Championship Apps.)
Jordan Morris - Kingscourt Stars (14 Championship Apps.)
Mathew Costello - Dunshaughlin (14 Championship Apps.)
Aaron Lynch - Trim (5 Championship Apps.)
Harry Hogan - Longwood (5 Championship Apps.)
Ciaran Caulfield - Trim (3 Championship Apps.)
Cillian O'Sullivan - Moynalvey (31 Championship Apps.)
Cathal Hickey - Seneschalstown (14 Championship Apps.)
Jack Flynn - Ratoath (7 Championship Apps.)
Eoghan Frayne - Summerhill (2 Championship App.)
Michael Flood - St. Brigid's (3 Championship Apps.)
Donal Lenihan - St. Peter's Dunboyne (16 Championship Apps.)
Diarmuid Moriarty - Curraha (1 Championship App.)
Keith Curtis - Rathkenny (2 Championship Appearances)
Ben Wyer - Ratoath (0 Championship Apps.)"
19 come from senior clubs. Mostly South of county.
2 from NM.

Once again my point is better players playing with better players, make for better teams. Too many clubs in NM is diluting the standard. That panel above demonstrates that.

Meathooooo (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 11/09/2023 10:49:35    2503736

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