i do know that a certain player knew he was playing v kildare the day before and was sworn to secrecy.so make of it what you will. im getting more confident now ,we have more croke park experience than Armagh ,no matter what head games mc geeney trys on his own . it was stefan campell who destroyed us in Navan and wasnt picked up.Mod has had plenty of time to figure this out ,we must win in order to have progressed .

royalpainter (Meath) - Posts: 874 - 01/08/2014 16:50:49    1629530

Supposedly flannagan is tipped to start at mid. Find it very strange that MOD thinks he's one of our best mid fielders at senior level at the present time. I dont know if croke park will suit him.

Royalz14 (Meath) - Posts: 5 - 01/08/2014 18:54:54    1629570

Royalstpat

According to the Sunday game the q/f are already decided.

Donegal v meath or armagh
Dublin v monaghan or kildare

Sat 9th in croker, double header

No draw required either way.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6344 - 01/08/2014 19:49:46    1629589

lets hope the lads lift their intensity and performance tomorrow,I am not going to judge this team on the Dublin performace yet,good teams come back from defeats,so tomorrow we will know the calibre of this team!

WhyTheLongFace (Meath) - Posts: 876 - 01/08/2014 20:20:23    1629603

Forecast very bad for tomorrow, could have impact on game, but too be fair same for both teams. How did the news of McKeevers injury get out, thought Armagh had media blackout?

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2151 - 01/08/2014 20:31:45    1629607

Weather is AWFUL today,now normally I would say it is the same for both teams,but this will really suit Armaghs style,it will be more difficult to move the ball well and quickly against a blanket defence,

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 02/08/2014 08:29:40    1629657

Weather is horrible,I think this makes it tougher for Meath,a dry day would mean we can move it quicker and more more accurate without slipping and dropping ball etc,yes I know it is the same for both teams,but with Armaghs style it will make it easier for their blanket defence.

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 02/08/2014 08:44:43    1629659

Weather is not nice for us the spectators!! Same for both teams so makes no difference there. How meath approach this match is the decider. Attidude will go a long way in any weather!! Mistakes through slipping and sliding will be forgiven. Lack of effort CERTAINLY NOT. This comment does not apply to all players. We all know the players who wont be found wanting in terms of effort.
To day tells us one way or another where we are at,and if we have made PROGRESS in last 2 years. Hoping we have ,and will only believe it when all players give it everything. Management team make changes immeadiately when necessary. Tough assignment ,MOD will be doing his best on that score with the limited resourses. Meath to show a real sting in the tail with a typical spirited performance and win by at least 2 points..NO EXCUSES ACCEPTED!!

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1228 - 02/08/2014 10:24:47    1629686

nobull

Well that is the MOST important thing later,some players have to step up and be ready for a battle,I would go as far to say that one or two of the older Meath players are playing for their futures.

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 02/08/2014 10:50:41    1629698

The weather (if it is still raining by then), is no big deal ... it will probably just mean a lower scoring game. We have to make sure we make Armagh work every bit as hard for their scores as no doubt they will for ours.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 02/08/2014 11:03:15    1629708

I think Flanagan is an outstanding prospect and physically looks able for this level. No reason why he can't oust Biggy or Tormey from a starting place.

Armagh like to go long with the football, not unlike ourselves with two full-forwards who can win ball in the air or out in front but conditions will probably work against us a little. We've been kicking the ball into the corner for Bray to run onto so we can get him in one-on-one situations but that kind of ball won't stick today on a greasy surface - we'll need Bray and Newman to dominate in the air to get something from this game and they'll be up against Donaghy who's maybe the best full-back in the country.

Armagh are a better drilled side than us. We look very amatuerish in our build-up play - struggled to get the ball out of our own half in the O'Byrne cup final, six months later - same deal in a Leinster final. Disappointed with the lack of progress but I like the kind of team that O'Dowd is building and yeah, he probably deserves another two years to bring these lads on but we've got to get them into Division 1 or they'll never wise up.

HighKing81 (Meath) - Posts: 129 - 02/08/2014 11:22:29    1629716

Remember the Laois game in Tullamore at this exact stage two years ago. We couldn't get scores from play second half in poor weather conditions despite having most of the possession. Why, because we kept running into a blanket of trouble. We got most of our scores from frees as a result of cynical fouling. Even allowing for the extra space and possibility of black cards today, Armagh will be harder to break down. We need several guys other than the FF line to chip in with 2-3 points each from play. So take scores when the opportunity arises and not over-elaborate.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 02/08/2014 11:27:17    1629721

Today's weather forecast could have a big impact on the game it will make a bit difficult playing with a wet ball. Croke Park just might suit Meath. Here's hoping they don't let Armagh run away with the game to early.

NavanGirl (Meath) - Posts: 121 - 02/08/2014 11:29:41    1629724

Come on lads, let's see a reaction today, sadly I'd imagine only a small Meath crowd will turn up but nevermind that, hopefully the lads can do it for those of us who will be there and of course do it for their own self respect, C'MON THE ROYALS!

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 02/08/2014 11:33:18    1629726

GLAS

That is true,but we were not up for that game,hopefully we are today..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 02/08/2014 12:13:20    1629742

Ziggy, that may be the case but I'm making the comparison more on the approach we took that day to try and break down McNulty's Laois side. It didn't work then and it is unlikely to work today either. Today is about kicking intelligent quick ball to forwards on the counter-attack, otherwise if there is slow build up play, we will have to take longer range points with a blanket defense in front of us. If I see them play too much of a running game or kick 50/50 hopeful balls to the inside forwards or over-elaborate when points are on from the forty, I'll go mad.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 02/08/2014 12:46:29    1629759

GLAS Areed NO over elaboration ! Especially with a wet ball. Seems basic stuff...shoot from long range ,and even a wide means you had a go ,rather than trying to look flashy! Direct committed football from the start,and lets see what happens!! Review at half time !!

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1228 - 02/08/2014 13:17:22    1629782

Ya will be hard to play like that on a wet day,we have plenty of players capable of kicking from long range.It is important that Tormey,SOR,Reilly get into positions were they can fire from range.

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 02/08/2014 13:55:36    1629813

On the way to croker I must be mad after the shambles the last day . I think we will win today , Mckeever is a big loss to Armagh if this is to believed . Very disappointed that MOD hasn't named the team a sign of a manager that doesn't know his best team . Weekend accum . Meath , Kildare , Mayo and Kerry paying 12.5/1

mmc (Meath) - Posts: 268 - 02/08/2014 13:55:47    1629814

My league hat will get a championship outing in this weather for a change.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 02/08/2014 14:08:51    1629828