Could have won did well to be only 7 down after playing into wind got ahead with 15 to go but Longford finshed better.... back to the drawing board

glenny (Meath) - Posts: 1108 - 22/02/2014 20:19:07    1550098

We were missing a number of regulars and Longford were decent. Nothing to be too concerned about. Hopefully the lads stick their heads down as the real work starts now!

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 23/02/2014 08:38:28    1550150

Longford have a good team this year they will be better than they normally are

shrek95 (Meath) - Posts: 77 - 23/02/2014 10:16:29    1550157

Hard luck lads. The few facile wins would have helped nobody either. As previous poster says, the hard work starts now

seasiderblues (Meath) - Posts: 343 - 23/02/2014 12:21:59    1550190

longford have been improving in recent years. No shame in losing - put it behind us for next day

DeRoyals (Meath) - Posts: 27 - 24/02/2014 11:31:06    1550573

Unfortunately, missing 2 of their best midfielders did not help the Meath cause. That lad Dixon would have made a difference. Would be concerned at the half forwards & half backs. Longford dominated there, got very little breaking ball and went missing for most of the game.Nuetral observers noted them to be lightweight & could not stop Longford coming through. Hopefully O' Carroll has some serious reserves in these areas. The fortunate win against a second string Dublin side and the two following easy wins did not prepare the team for a good mobile Longford side. Slow starts also did not help in either the Dublin nor Longford games. Did not arrive until 15 minutes in so did not see it as thye were down by 4 points at that stage. Maybe the time for a big mobile full forward, if he has one with that lad Rowe to play off. Agree the hard work starts now.. Back to the drawing board. Dissapointing but O' Carroll will make the changes necessary.

meathblue (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 24/02/2014 11:33:35    1550575

Ah lads come on this was a great chance for Meath Minors to win something abet a Mickey Mouse Leinster League especially with Kildare and Dublin and for that matter Cork all out. Missing a few lads like Bird, Dixon and McGowan Meath still should have been able for it. Bigging up Longford come on now. At least we have handy game we Wicklow and it looks like we be hoping for a handy draw in Quarter Finals and doing a few novena's

glenny (Meath) - Posts: 1108 - 24/02/2014 20:06:19    1550893

Anyone know when the panel is going to be cut for the championship????

meathblue (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 26/02/2014 09:09:14    1551447

Would have to feel some sympathy for those lads cut last weekend from the Minor Championship panel, especially when some players were brought into the panel late on after the first cut. Would imagine the parents of the lads in the first cut will feel even more aggrieved after all the training & committment shown so far this year - for other players to be "parachuted" in. Apparently the first time one player met the squad was when he was handed his first start in a recent league match, never having trained with the panel this year??? A lot of grumbling from parents to their club management about unfairness and lack of loyalty from the Mentors is going on. Apparently, there are some shocks, both in terms of who is left in and who was left out. Recent string of bad results in challenge matches has not helped and rumblings about club cliques and not playing as a team are rife. Sticking with some players not performing and being played out of position has been also cited. One wonders if this is a knee jerk reaction by Mentors to bad results when some players have served the Meath jersey so well in the past. At least the injuries will hopefully be cleared up for the first match and any team that has Daire Rowe & Kyle Dixon has a chance. What about a big mobile full forward though? Wish them luck - they might need it.

meathblue (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 11/03/2014 17:35:46    1558401

MeathBlue--- I would 100% agree with you its unfair on the lads who got cut after putting that effort in whats wrong with having a "B" panel even or and extra 10 lads training and pic a panel for a match from that if anything its bringing meath football on. Also you mention a big mobile full forward why nor resort to days of old and throw a big hardy lad in full forward who will contest each ball so you can lump high balls in in top of him, I would say maybe the likes of charlie bird, Iarla hughes, or Kyle Dixon. Like these three lads have a good physical size and all play hurling. If they can catch a Sliotar I am sure they could have no bother catching a football. its just an idea but yeah best of luck to them they WILL need it..

butterfly (Meath) - Posts: 112 - 13/03/2014 10:02:47    1559086

It appears the word is the Meath Minors will need a good slice of luck by all accounts

glenny (Meath) - Posts: 1108 - 13/03/2014 18:12:56    1559351

What are people's views on the duel players on the squad ?? Bird, the Ryan twins, Hughes?? Should the be given a chance with both ??

Onlymyopinion (Dublin) - Posts: 9 - 13/03/2014 18:54:35    1559366

Dropping lads might be hard to take for the lads involved. But every organisation on earth, whether it be a team, an army or a business will have to reject those they reckon arent good enough or dont fit with their plans.

It makes little sense to have a bloated panel just to spare a few lads feelings being hurt, it'd cost a fortune to train,transport, feed and give gear to.

I also seriously don't hope they resort to junior D tactics of loafing the ball into a big full forward and hoping for the best. There's a reason it's called the old fashioned way;it doesnt work in the modern game, and if it does work, it will work once, and then the opposition will snuff it out.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1646 - 13/03/2014 19:08:05    1559373

I personally feel that dual players should be given the go ahead. If its possible in a county like Dublin surely its ok in Meath. Its good to see both minor managers communicating with each other over this matter. once lads aren't expected to train every singe night.

butterfly (Meath) - Posts: 112 - 13/03/2014 21:45:47    1559450

Looks like they will need these dual players who have played well by the way.Bird is a very good full back. CASTLEBRAVO......from my sources, and if you have seen them play, the plan (and it sems only plan) is to play quick ball into the forwards but not much ball is sticking. Thats why I was sayin a big "MOBILE" full forward, who can win ball and play off to the likes of Rowe. Seems thay had one or two like this but these were cut. Agree about being cut goes on in all walks of life - just the manner in which it was done appeared unfair. Why should someone walk into a team when did not go to squad sessions & hasnt trained with them all year??????? A lot of parents are very miffed at this??? Also interesting to see some of the names in the squad and look at the family comnnections???

meathblue (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 14/03/2014 10:02:01    1559496

I feel the minor hurlers will need the dual players more so.

butterfly (Meath) - Posts: 112 - 14/03/2014 16:47:14    1559732

Interesting from the match reports on the site to see which players not on the panel are currently scoring for fun and doin really well back with their clubs. What is worrying however is how many injuries are stacking up for the current Minor Panel, at training the other night there seemed to be a lot of walking wounded, much more than usual. Wonder if there will be any additional call ups, particularly with upcoming challenge matches?? Could do with some additional options on the half backs & half forwards? Seems like they are a bit short. Hope that lad Dixon is back quickly, that lad Bird is now fit enough and that the lad Rowe shakes off his niggles? Will they make the first match of the Championship???? Lets hope they do???

meathblue (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 18/03/2014 11:50:46    1561409

Another bad result / loss the other night. Was a bit painful to see. Need some half backs & half forwards definitely - defense very exposed and half forwards ineffective. Maybe a time for fresh additions to the squad????? With not a lot of time left until start of championship - maybe drastic measures needed?????

meathblue (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 20/03/2014 09:32:08    1562334

I'm sure that the manager by now will know every player that's worth knowing, maybe their just not up to it. I have to say the standard in division 1 of the minor league is of a very poor quality and the lower divisions is at bog standard. I am not saying there are not good players in the divisions but the overall standard is so poor it makes a half alright player look like a superstar, it's only when you come up against the Dublin's of this world it dawns on you how bad things really are. I have a feeling and it's one that results in another baron year for our minors. I HOPE I'M WRONG

parneller (Meath) - Posts: 32 - 20/03/2014 11:33:05    1562417

Good point Parneller standard is very variable...however should it not make sense to play players who are at least on form????? All fine & well picking Div. 1 players but they have not been doin the business. Another defeat last week. Very disjointed.

meathblue (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 24/03/2014 16:21:22    1564304