Was at the Ratoath match - seemed to start with the attitude that they would win easily. Woke up in the second half and fought their way back into it. Won pulling up in extra time. Plenty of talent all over the field and fitness levels very high. Also most of what is on their bench would probably start on nearly any other Intermediate team in Meath, they brought on a big full forward who scored 2-3 from play! Whilst the Bracks bet Ballivor, this has to be looked at as a bit of a freak result given the performance of the Bracks year to date. The extra time will stand to Ratoath and with the firepower they have upfront and their fitness levels they will account for the Bracks easily particularly with Wallace back next Sunday. My money is on Ratoath to be senior next year and they could easily go all the way given the panel they have.
The game between Castletown and Ballinlough is very hard to call - both are in a rich vein of form and I certainly wont be putting any of the family silver on this one - will give Ballinlough a cautious nod. Either way I cant see either of them beating Ratoath in the final.

Shatter (Dublin) - Posts: 13 - 15/09/2014 13:31:59    1652176

Very good game in Pairc Tailteann on Saturday between Syddan and Ratoath. Although never really being on top Syddan led 10-2 with 15 mins to go. Ratoath made a couple of switch, Gav McGowan from the Meath minors and a big Full Forward. Changed the game!
I think Ratoath scored 2-10 in the last 15 minutes. The two subs being central, Bobby O'Brien and Bryan McMahon were also impressive.

Not sure why Joe Wallace wasn't playing, was he injured? He was sorely missed up until those substitutions

Also, anyone know where Eamonn Barry is gone? I thought he was the Ratoath manager, but there seems to be no reference to him any more? Did he resign or what? strange time of year for that

dubsout (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 15/09/2014 13:36:05    1652178

Joey Wallace was ill on Saturday which is why he wasn't playing. Wish I shared people's confidence about the semi final. Ballinabrackey will win easily if anything close to that performance is replicated next weekend.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1362 - 15/09/2014 13:52:13    1652188

Ziggy - yes Rowe played. Has some future. Joey was in the stands.

seasiderblues (Meath) - Posts: 343 - 15/09/2014 14:17:50    1652197

seasiders

Don't be surprised to see Rowe on the Meath panel next year..

Wallace should be back next week I gather to help Ratoath,but it will a very interesting match.The Bracks will ahve to perform again,but if they do,they can beat Ratoath

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 15/09/2014 15:18:37    1652236

Ballinabrackey can definitely beat Ratoath if Ratoath start like they did against Sydan but if they play the way they finished the game and the way they have played for most of the championship with joey wallace back they should account for the bracks but there are no guarantees

head4dblackspot (Meath) - Posts: 513 - 15/09/2014 16:16:41    1652275

Ratoath to win against bracks, they are extremely fit and are very good on the game plan, syddan couldnt stick with them they were on their feet after 40 mins

royalking2011 (Meath) - Posts: 10 - 15/09/2014 16:33:52    1652285

Ratoath not only have a very good starting 15 but also their subs are just as good ! Young Gavin McGowan would easily start on any other Inter team. Sydan a young team that lacked the fitness and experience to punish Ratoath. I'd expect Ratoath to learn from this match and push on now. Was impressed with Jack Reid and Mark Fedigan from Sydan, Semi Finals very tough to call but with Joey Wallace back I'd expect Ratoath to be in the mix on final day

CMacT (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 15/09/2014 20:10:13    1652391

Bracks will take beating Carroll and O'Connor are a fine mid field paring..only worry for the bracks is a very weak bench

blind ref (Meath) - Posts: 204 - 15/09/2014 21:12:02    1652430

What did I say in my last post that you wont put it up?? All I said was Ballinabracky should be favourites for the Semi final after destroying the team who had beaten Ratoath

lagoreX (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 16/09/2014 09:08:47    1652481

Word is that Ballinabrackey/Ratoath Semi moved from Sat Night as Ratoath have 7's on that Day. Understand they prefer to not take away from their tournament Day. But when Alternative was to take away from All-Ireland Day it seemed like an error was made by their spokesmen. If this can be reversed Players wanting to go to Croke Park could go, Supporters could go to Semi on sat. night and Croke park on Sunday & if they want also spend all Day Sat. at the 7's.

Ashrules (Dublin) - Posts: 518 - 16/09/2014 09:53:08    1652513

Couldn't agree with your analysis LagoreX. Bracks performed well and probably caught Ballivor on the hop, but Ballivor aren't as bad nor the Bracks as good as the scoreline would suggest. All you have to do is look at the proliferation of county experience across Ratoath's panel and their results to date and compare that with the Bracks, there can only be one logical conclusion and that is that Ratoath will cruise into the final. This conclusion is further reinforced by the fact that Wallace didn't play against either Ballivor or Syddan and his inclusion next week will further strengthen a very potent and effective Ratoath forward line.

Shatter (Dublin) - Posts: 13 - 16/09/2014 11:42:47    1652585

I've been saying for awhile that the biggest mistake mod made was dropping O'Connor from panel. Heard that it had more to do with not wanting two players from a club that for years faced snobbery from the more traditional area of Meath, those of us of a certain vintage can recall the innuendo about bracks actually in offaly or Westmeath.
I have no idea if it had anything to do with O'Connor been dropped and certainly hope not, but he was a work horse and I'd say would still contribute to the panel, not a starter but certainly on panel v

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 16/09/2014 11:56:02    1652590

Shatter Im not saying Ballinabracky will walk it, I twill be a very close match but I think Bracks will be favourites, I can imagine it being very similar to last years match , where after a quick start Ratoath, Bracks seemed to get to grip with the Ratoath attack and we were hanging on by the very end and trying to repel attack after attack.Ratoath will have to play at the top of their game and cant be asleep like the Syddan game

lagoreX (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 16/09/2014 12:03:26    1652594

I have to be honest,with the young talent Ratoath have(remember Eamonn Wallace is out all year too),I really hope they make the Senior grade this year.

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 16/09/2014 12:30:29    1652620

RD

Chris O'Connor had a few decent years in the Meath shirt,but he won't improve the fortunes of the Royals.

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 16/09/2014 12:31:57    1652622

RD

I would give MOD more credit than to suggest that theory as the reason for leaving O'Connor off the panel.

kingofclubs (Meath) - Posts: 321 - 16/09/2014 13:23:23    1652642

RD,

Your opinion is paranoid to say the least. Are you really suggesting that meath management refused to pick certain players based on geography?

Hank_Scorpio (Meath) - Posts: 60 - 16/09/2014 13:43:21    1652657

kingofclubs

I wouldn't even entertain that reasoning..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 16/09/2014 13:47:52    1652662

Of course you wouldn't entertain it Ziggy. But talk to anyone from the bridge of kinnegad to the bridge in castlejirdon and they'll say it to you. Now I wouldn't personally blame mod, as I said it was a snobbery more from establishment going way back towards that side of the county. Tell me why is Flanagan the first player from clonard to ever play for any Meath senior team, when they have had underage all Ireland winners? How was Neville Brazil not on Meath panel a few years back? Why has neither danny Quinnor nNicky judge not at least been tried during O'Byrne cup?
There is a old view that players from that part of county ain't good enough, that has been there for many a year and for anyone to say otherwise doesn't know the situation. Theluch am I right????

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 16/09/2014 14:26:20    1652678