A full strength Nobber just beat Ratoath on Thursday night in a game Ratoath should have won without 5 of there county players
There are other teams out there to worry about but Nobber did not overly impress in that game


cup and league games are different from championship,we will see what ratoath are made of later on in the year !!

thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1047 - 30/05/2015 13:12:27    1730209

This was the semi final of the cup so there was a lot at stake.

head4dblackspot (Meath) - Posts: 513 - 30/05/2015 16:02:39    1730253

head4dblackspot Nobber won by 6 points so how should ratoath have one. That being said I think they should win the championship pulling up with a full forward line of the wallaces and McMahon against dunderry, and they should be more prepared for the knock outs after failing in the last two years. Nobber are going well but you can't forget that they have such an easy group.

nmsmithy96 (Meath) - Posts: 108 - 30/05/2015 18:51:56    1730316

Nobber are motoring well and have experience of winning the Inter before so Id have them as slight favourites over Ratoath
We will be there or there abouts but I think the team that can beat Nobber is the team that will win

lagoreX (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 02/06/2015 17:29:24    1731558

A lot of surprises in round 3,Most teams still have a chance of making the knockout stages,big wins for longwood & ballivor who are back in the fight again.

Ratoath are still impressing me the most though,dudley seems to have Nobber sorted out,could be some big battles in the q/f"s.

thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1047 - 02/06/2015 18:26:08    1731601

I thought many of the matches in rd3 would be easy to predict but was wrong. It is the most unpredictable Championship for sure. Agree with Lutch that is still Ratoath's to lose but Nobber could really put it up to them.

seasiderblues (Meath) - Posts: 343 - 05/06/2015 08:52:07    1732621

Lutchie boy is playing down the bracks chance's,to me the bracks are even stronger than last year when they bet ratoath,I thought nobber wud go close but they won't get within 5 points of ratoath or bracks it's between these 2..

bullet11 (Meath) - Posts: 52 - 05/06/2015 12:51:25    1732761

Nobber and Ballinabrackey favourites for me, have seen Nobber a few times this year, they are physically strong throughout the field, working well as a unit and very lively/ accurate forwards! Ratoath, of what I have seen so far, are missing physicality and as a unit they dont seem to have a good balance throughout the pitch, alot going on with them but seem to be missing something.
Its early days all the same, come the business end of the championshiop things could change.

ngoggins (Meath) - Posts: 33 - 05/06/2015 15:17:28    1732884

I was just wondering, now that there has been 3 rounds of championship... what are people's predictions as to who will get out of each group?

overthehill72 (Meath) - Posts: 334 - 05/06/2015 15:59:22    1732913

was in Dunganny on thursday nightand was talking to a few unhappy parents one of them told me he heard ther were some minor players trying to get on to the panel who did not bother to go for trails and one of them came in after Meath played Leagues and first round of Champ this was not fare on the lads that went from other Clubs and then were let go .as one man said it could only happen in Meath . i dont think it is good for morale in the camp .

Rathcairn (Meath) - Posts: 39 - 06/06/2015 10:05:14    1733066

I'd be inclined to agree with what you say about Ratoath ngoggins. While each of our three games have looked comfortable on the scoreboard, in reality they were far from convincing performances. The Dunderry one especially could have been lost had Dunderry not missed a penalty to go in front in the second half (in which they played with 14 men). That seemed to cause their heads to drop.
Still haven't seen us produce anywhere close to the hunger and passion that the Bracks did in beating us in last years semi final (again with 14 men). They'd have to be up there as favourites despite their first round loss. Nobber and Colmcilles as well.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1362 - 06/06/2015 12:19:47    1733109

IFC
Kilmainham v Nobber.. Nobber to prove best as Brian Farrell shows he ahead of Newman still
Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Cortown.. Hard one for Cortown but they may nick it
Ballinabrackey v Drumbaragh... Bracks going well at the right time and should continue here
Sunday 9 August

IFC
St. Michaels v Clann Na nGael .. Clan gone way back Michaels to win
Castletown v Trim... I think the Corn na Boinne has took its toll on Castletown hard to take that loss but they can recover here but no Semi for the Daddies this year
St. Ultans v Dunderry.. Ultans need to win so do Dunderry Ultans might have better form
Ratoath v Ballivor... Ballivor bet Ratoath last year or was it 2013 hardly manage that feat again but you never know with the most unpredictable team in Meath
Longwood v St. Colmcilles.. Longwood looking at Junior Cilles dreaming of Senior only one winner here
Syddan v Oldcastle.. Two former power houses ploughing along but going nowhere Syddan might be better

glenny (Meath) - Posts: 1108 - 01/08/2015 14:14:58    1761996

IFC
Kilmainham v Nobber: Top of the table clash. Nobber in the top 3 for the c'ship are going well after winning the Corn na Boinne but conceded a lot in that final so it will be much more difficult for them against the likes of Mickey Newman. If they can handle Newman they should seal top spot in the group - NOBBER
Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Cortown: Tight one here, a win will ensure either team their status for next year. Cortown are an older and bigger side that may not be able to cope with Ashbourne's youth and pace. A draw isn't off the cards though - DONAGHMORE/ASHBOURNE
Ballinabrackey v Drumbaragh: Bracks going well after their Div 3 win and Drumbaragh are off the back of a solid Div 2 league campaign. After a slow start against St. Colmcille's the Bracks bounced back well. The wide Navan pitch will suit the Bracks as well and they should qualify for the knockouts here - BALLINABRACKEY
St. Michael's v Clann Na nGael: The Athboy/Rathcarn outfit look to be the favourites for the drop this year. St. Michael's so far haven't looked as if they'll threaten for the title this year but if they sneak into the quarter-finals anything is possible. They should win well here though - ST. MICHAEL'S
Castletown v Trim: The manner of the loss to rivals Nobber in the cup final would have hurt Castletown. Both teams have only 1 from 3 in the group of death and it looks like Trim could just swing this one in a tight game - TRIM
St. Ultan's v Dunderry: Both teams on 2 points in a very tight group. Both need to win. Dunderry are better on paper but more often than not they fail to impress. They'll be more focussed on the SHC tie with Kildalkey next week so the Bohermeen men for me - ST. ULTAN'S
Ratoath v Ballivor: This is the time of year when the hurling gets serious and ballivor fall away. There arn't much bigger tasks in this grade than to beat Ratoath and even though they managed it last year they won't get anywhere near the favourites - RATOATH
Longwood v St. Colmcille's: After Ratoath the Laytown men along with the Bracks and Nobber are the challengers and with Reilly back they should win easily against another club focussing more on hurling - ST. COLMCILLE'S
Syddan v Oldcastle: A must win game for Syddan who could be facing a relegation battle if they're not careful. The Rowe's are capable of swinging any game at this and they could do that against Oldcastle in Carlanstown - SYDDAN

nmsmithy96 (Meath) - Posts: 108 - 03/08/2015 15:18:17    1763140

Is Eamonn Wallace available for Ratoath? I heard he was away?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 03/08/2015 17:21:54    1763225

Kilmainham vs Nobber: The two unbeaten teams in this group go head to head in a match which will decide who finishes top of this group. Amazingly, both teams were involved in last year's relegation playoff where Kilmainham edged out Nobber in a thrilling encounter where Newman ran riot. Nobber surely won't be as naive this year and will be better equipped to deal with their talisman. I feel Nobber have a superior squad and with the Farrell brothers in good form, they should have enough. Nobber by 3

Cortown vs Don/Ash: This will be an interesting encounter with little to separate the sides. Both teams only championship victory this year is over a troubled Clann na Gael team. Very difficult to gauge where Don/Ash are at this year being a second team. Cortown turned in 3 decent performances at the tail end of the league campaign to give them some momentum going in to this tie. I feel Cortown's guile and metal will see them through and cement their intermediate status in their returning year. Cortown by 2

Drumbaragh vs Ballinabrackey: Ballinabrackey will go into this game with confidence following their recent Division 3 league success. After a slow start to the championship campaign, the Bracks have begun to reproduce some of the form that saw them reach the final last year. A very well drilled and disciplined team that Drumbaragh will need to be on top form to compete with. Drumbaragh have the ability to beat most teams on their day but a very convincing victory over Syddan was followed up with a bitterly lacklustre loss to Longwood. Their forwards can do damage but I feel the Bracks defensive system will nullify this. The Bracks by 4

St Michaels vs Clann na Gael: Clann na Gael's season has been one to forget so far which is surprising considering Shane Mac Anarney is with them this year. Three consecutive losses to pre-Championship relegation favourites Cortown, Don/Ash and Kilmainham have left them rock bottom with a measly 9 points per game scored (average). Unless there is a dramatic change in their fortunes, I fear they could be plying their trade in the Junior ranks next year. St. Michaels excellent league form petered out in the end but they will still have enough for the Athboy/Rathcairn men. St. Michaels by 4

Castletown vs Trim: Castletown and Nobber served up a truly pulsating battle in Páirc Tailteann recently and on that showing, they will be a handful for anyone. In Ross and Finnerty, they have 2 men capable of unlocking any defence with their electric pace. Ginnity's return also offers them that bit extra with his accurate kickouts. However this free flowing attack-minded football hasn't been produced this year in the heat of championship battle with the Daddies only averaging just under 10 points a game. Trim will fancy their chances but in this group nothing is guaranteed. 4 teams have 2 points and will fight it out for 3rd place behind Ratoath and Ballivor. I see Castletown stepping up and winning by the minimum.

johnnytitelips (Meath) - Posts: 62 - 03/08/2015 17:29:04    1763230

St Ultans vs Dunderry: After an impressive victory over Meath's Jekyll and Hyde team Ballivor, Dunderry have failed to kick on. I still fancy them to have enough for St. Ultans which would lead to a potential final round showdown with Castletown with winner taking the 3rd spot. St. Ultans held their own in Division 2 after promotion and playing senior opposition will stand to them but I feel that they will come up short in a tight local affair. Dunderry by 2

Ratoath vs Ballivor: Last year, Ballivor accounted for the perennial favourites, Ratoath, in the group stages which surprised many. When Ballivor are good they're brilliant and when they're bad, they're just awful. Mid table finish in division 4 of the league and still the only team in this group capable of beating the Ratoath Galacticos giving the perennial two fingers to forming league and championship comparisons. Ratoath's players are superior to the Intermediate standard. They have incredible talent at their disposal in the form of the Wallaces, Mc Mahon, Power, Mc Gill…etc. Their difficulty is that their young talent have similar attributes and lack that bit of steel and experience to carry them over the line in a war of attrition. They will gain revenge this year in the vast spaces of Trim. Ratoath by 6

Longwood vs St. Colmcilles: Longwood will make life difficult for the Seasiders but ultimately a lack of depth will cost them. They turned in a commanding display to halt Drumbaragh's progress but Colmcilles are a different breed. Unflappable in the group stages, Colmcilles' difficulties lie in the knock out stages but they will experience no real difficulty in blowing a determined Longwood side away. Longwood will struggle to pick up any more points but their determination, work ethic and system will mean they won't be swept aside easily. Colmcilles by 7

Syddan vs Oldcastle: Syddan have stuggled to rediscover their form from last year that so nearly lead them to the semi finals. The loss of the Dillons has been telling but they still have the potential to have a say in this group. Oldcastle have been battling hard in this ultra-competitive group since their return this year. A last minute snatch and grab against Drumbaragh settled them nicely back into this grade. If Syddan can score goals like the Bracks did, they will grab a crucial 2 points. If not, Oldcastle will scrape it. Oldcastle by 1

johnnytitelips (Meath) - Posts: 62 - 03/08/2015 17:30:59    1763234

longwood looked really bad today as did balivor
this proves poor quality teams at club level
who can push on now to win imc??cilles, ratoath, nobber, ballinabracky .......??

head4dblackspot (Meath) - Posts: 513 - 09/08/2015 21:16:02    1766806

I would love to see a Ratoath v Cilles final

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 10/08/2015 08:14:23    1766862

johnnytitelips

only a 50% hit rate on predictions
not great

head4dblackspot (Meath) - Posts: 513 - 10/08/2015 09:53:21    1766939

Great win for Trim.

Forwards especially Toher and Heffernan will cause problems for any teams in the division. Midfield with Douglas and Murphy were pretty effective with Burke allowing Douglas to do a more roving role.

Defence is still a worry with two late goals higlighting a tendency to leak goals. Brendan Murphy has been a huge loss this year.

That said they can beat Ballivor and progress.

Castletown just seemed too light at the back. Some pacey forwards but ultimately Trim looked like scoring most times they attacked.

trim1 (Meath) - Posts: 162 - 10/08/2015 10:09:47    1766958