I'm the same, I'm looking forward to sunday, the start of a new season is always exciting and I have to say I liked Keogan's comment about the Dubs = "there's no reason why we can't beat them".

Now he said a bit more than that obviously and of course we may not even play them in 2015 but I like to see players say those things, I don't like players showing too much respect to other teams (I know Keogan praised Dublin but he did finish with the above comment) because I think it's unhealthy, I like a bit of healthy arrogance, for me there's nothing worse than Meath not being hated!

So my wish list for 2015 is simple = win big stuff and return to being the country's most despised county :-)

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 30/12/2014 16:59:37    1680109

Not a meath man myself but living in meath a while now and have a good knowledge of meath football. I wouldnt put meath in the top 10 in ireland at the moment. In my eyes there is a lot wrong starting at underage and until that is put right meath football is not going to improve at county level. Very little success at underage in the past number of years never mind that not even getting to leinster finals at minor or U21 is criminal for a county like meath.
Also the standard of club football is dire.

Realistic hopes for meath this year should be survival in divison 2 and at least a quarter final in the championship.

CFC (Australia) - Posts: 25 - 02/01/2015 12:15:08    1680158

Of course Keogan to right to say that there's no reason for Meath to believe that Dublin cannot be beaten but i think most people on this are getting a bit ahead of themselves. Dublin are in the top 3 in the country without doubt and will be for the next 5-10 years I would imagine. Meath need to focus on establishing themselves in the chasing pack behind the likes of Kerry, Dublin, Mayo etc.

The likes of the top 3 or 4 are streets ahead in terms of preparation, fitness and strength in depth. As a guy who knows about club football in Meath, I just can't see the talent coming through underage unlike in the top 3 counties.

AB13 (Dublin) - Posts: 100 - 02/01/2015 13:24:32    1680168

Guys fair enough,but Meath did get to the All-Ireland minor final 3 years ago and the U21's were close to Dublin in the Leinster Final last year,despite missing Wallace and C O'Sullivan,so surely some improvements have been made at underage level?

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 02/01/2015 17:26:59    1680197

Looking forward to the match but to be honest I don't think it will be much of a challenge for. Meath they should easily beat WestMeath hopefully their will be sings off improvement over the next few weeks good to see Mick O Dowd is trying out a whole new team.

NavanGirl (Meath) - Posts: 121 - 02/01/2015 18:12:34    1680201

Htaem indeed you are spot on. As for Sunday? Wouldn't write off wm , living and coaching there they not as bad as some might think, but i still expect us to prevail. It was great to read keoghans remarks, a little bit of confidence and a hint of arrogance, just as it should be.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 02/01/2015 18:51:23    1680204

You never know how games go in the O'Byrne Cup,also we do not know what kind of team Westmeath will put out..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 02/01/2015 20:15:26    1680213

I'd like to see less arrogance and us showing other teams a bit more respect.

Since the crowd jeering every pass of the ball against Kerry in 2001 nothing has gone right for Meath. Maybe its karma.

Anyway I think Meath DO have the players to give anybody a good run.

Will paddy start roaming outfield more like Manuel neuyer?

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1792 - 02/01/2015 20:29:52    1680216

I think every team in the country does the jeering bert, so there must be a hell of a lot of karma in the pipeline, but anyway look it's not ultimately down to arrogance or respect for other teams, the most important ingredient is very simple = having enough talented footballers. At the minute we don't have enough talent to challenge for Sam but considering we keep getting to Leinster finals and not really competing (2013 being an exception) I think our players are showing far too much respect to Dublin, particularly last year (2014) and I don't think that's a healthy thing for a team, that's all really.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 03/01/2015 09:47:45    1680225

Htaem- I think the talent is there, but unfortunately we don't have enough good coaches to get the best out of the players.

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1792 - 03/01/2015 11:40:55    1680235

I totally agree with you Hteam Meath are capable of winning games but only reaching a Leinster each year seems to show a lack of confidence. They need to drive that talent forward to beat the likes off Dublin.

NavanGirl (Meath) - Posts: 121 - 03/01/2015 11:46:31    1680236

I totally agree with you Hteam Meath are capable of winning games but only reaching a Leinster each year seems to show a lack of confidence. They need to drive that talent forward to beat the likes off Dublin.

NavanGirl (Meath) - Posts: 121 - 03/01/2015 11:46:53    1680237

I think some need to give Micko a little credit,a lot here were saying he should try this player and that player,a fair few players that people were calling for to be given a chance,will line-out against Westmeath..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 03/01/2015 15:43:44    1680263

Ziggy yes he has picked plenty of what people were saying myself i am delighted to see judge get his chance . So first step is good, now he needs to train them as a unit where 1 to 30 knows exactly what is needed, proper game plan, and plan b and c if needed. And showing less respect to teams and a bit more of you have to beat us. And everyone will be happy.
Hon the royal.
If we get beat today i may put the house up for sale :).

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 04/01/2015 08:59:01    1680325

Royaldunne you only sell your house if Westmeath beat Meath in the championship. Anyway if your thinking of moving come over to the wonderful wee county. You would love Carlingford. Lovely views and you would feel at home as the local gaa team Cooley colours are green and gold.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 04/01/2015 11:23:04    1680330

very much an experimental team today,not sure how Westmeath will approach it in that regard,hope they play a fairly strong line-up as it will be a better test for our newer players..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 04/01/2015 11:45:38    1680332

Game delayed 10 mins due to crowd

royalpainter (Meath) - Posts: 874 - 04/01/2015 13:57:44    1680348

Westmeath starting 7 first team players for this one,including Ger Egan,Martin and Glennon

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 04/01/2015 14:16:58    1680350

Decent enough effort here, lets hope Graham Reilly keeps this type of form up the whole year.....

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 04/01/2015 15:30:46    1680359

Anyone have a list of scorers? From the match tracker it seems at least 1-9 of the 1-13 was scored by Menton, Bray, Reilly and Carroll, did any of the newcomers score/impress?

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1648 - 04/01/2015 15:42:33    1680363