The players showed support for Banty after the Louth league match which relegated them to D3; before the 2012 championship season. They certainly didn't play for him in the league up to then and got complacent against Carlow afterwards. They had good performances in the replay and games against Kildare and Dublin, before exiting to a physical Laois side playing blanket defense in the qualifiers. Our league performances may have improved since then under MOD, but our championship season disappoints year after year. The two teams promoted in D2 are out of the championship, yet the two teams relegated are still in it for now. Westmeath or Fermanagh will make the last eight this year and good luck to them.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 13/07/2015 13:06:00    1752480

Richie

I think that could be the problem.The players have really like MOD as a person,but its clear he isn't up to the job after 3 years.He has the right idea on what he has done in a lot of aspects,but I don't think he is good enough in many aspects of management.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 13:06:29    1752482

ya without doubt.I think the players have become too comfortable under MOD.I reckon training is easier under him too,which is not a good thing..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 13:09:33    1752485

Interesting comparison between ourselves and Westmeath and Fermanagh there. One of them will make the last 8 this year. There is no evidence to suggest we will make it past a round 1 or round 2 qualifier next year and we are due a tough side of the leinster draw as well. We could quickly become one of the minnows of gaelic football with the likes of Longford and Carlow having realistic ambitions of beating us on any given day. Food for thought was Mc Hugh's patronizing comments on the Sunday game last night where he says we need a strong Meath team dining at the top table.

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 13/07/2015 13:30:43    1752506

Look at the difference in Fermanagh since Pete McGrath came in.We have better players in Meath and MOD wants more time after 3 years..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 13:42:25    1752514

Ziggy and about 4-5 time more players to pick from -which we appear not to utilize as we continue to switch forwards to backs and so on (a bit like chess). Jimini10, I do not agree with criticizing the captain-what do you expect him to say? -run down the manager, I think not. Looking through the panel there is no one there any better placed to be captain.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 13/07/2015 14:08:13    1752537

Mick O'Dowd "My goal has been to get Meath into the top eight and we haven't achieved it, but I think that's an achievable goal."

Jim McGuinness "He outlined his intentions: to be in the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final after four years "

Mick O'Dowd is happy with top eight ...Jim McGuinness wanted a All-Ireland !

Just reading everybody comments,the people who want change of management are making some valid and very good points,Also the people who want to keep Mick O'Dowd at the helm are also making good and valid points!

it will be a interesting couple of months ahead.

WhyTheLongFace (Meath) - Posts: 876 - 13/07/2015 14:48:10    1752582

exactly and in 3 years he cannot achieve top 8!

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 14:53:50    1752588

Looking at the draw we would be playing fermanagh in round 4 if we'd have beaten westmeath with a quarter final vs kerry / Cork likely.

Or if we beat Tyrone we'd be at home to tipperary in round 3 with the winner playing the loser of the ulster or connaught finals.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 13/07/2015 15:15:29    1752617

It will be down to clubs to decide what happens from here. We don't WANT a NICE manager.We NEED a manager who might happen to be nice as well. That manager will push players out of their comfort zone when needed. This probably will happen in training ,and in trying to get players to peak fitness which is a first requirement. That manager will need to be assertive with the CB by insisting on having resources available at all times when required.The sole objective being to maximise the potential for each player ,and the team as a unit. He will need plenty of help. He is fully entitled to have a shopping list of his own. On the other hand CB and the 3 wise men are fully justified in setting clear measurable objectives for the manager.I see the 3 wise men with a major role here!! I would see CB as being supportive AND challenging as well. Challenging is a definite support . There is an awful lot of work to be done to get us back to where we belong..THE TOP TABLE! 3 Years was agreed for MOD..To me his greatest shortcoming was his apparent inability to learn from mistakes.He is too nice to his players it seems. Tactically he is too slow in reading the game. I do believe he gave it his best shot. It will take a new face to take from here as more of the same is a non runner. Stability of course is highly desirable,but only if you believe it will improve matters.It will be interesting times ahead also on a broader level to see how the work of the 3 wise men develop structures,coaching and all that is required along the way to feed players through to senior inter county level.I cannot think of 3 better men to tackle the job !

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1227 - 13/07/2015 15:29:12    1752631

I notice 2 of our players have gone all holidays abroad this morning,they are working lads so I presume they thought we would lose Saturday?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 16:17:18    1752670

What does that tell you about our mental preparation and our lack of CAN DO mentality ? .....beaten before we even start!

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1227 - 13/07/2015 16:30:32    1752685

No they only booked that holiday yesterday believe it or not!

Meathmaster (Meath) - Posts: 251 - 13/07/2015 16:32:03    1752686

Ziggy it is a bit presumptious to suggest that these lads booked a holiday prior to the Tyrone game. They most likely picked up last minute deals and managed to get time off work (if they have jobs).
In general the posts on this site are very negative towards both players and management. These lads who put their lives on hold to do their best for Meath football. It is not their fault that football in Meath has been mismanaged for the past 15 years in terms of coaching, proper competitions etc.

subzero (Meath) - Posts: 69 - 13/07/2015 16:42:56    1752695

Meathmaster

Really?? So they were off work anyway? They must have had some idea in their heads that they may book the holiday??

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 16:53:25    1752704

I have nothing against lads going on holiday etc,but the timing is a bit odd.Booked a holiday the following day after a champ defeat?.They must have had some idea "Well if we lose here,we can book a holiday".There is a definate softness in the players,and that stems from the manager.I doubt training is hard enough or the players are even pushed.Its obvious when you see them on the field,whenever the going gets tough they are gone,or,they run out of legs.You can also tell by comments from the players.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 17:10:03    1752720

The amount of rumour and conjecture on here is embarrassing at times. People presenting things as facts and then others making sweeping statements on the basis of same. Some of ye would want to cop yourselves on.

SmallHouse (Meath) - Posts: 291 - 13/07/2015 17:43:50    1752757

It's kind of funny this has cropped up ... read the ugly part of this article ;) http://gaeliclife.com/2015/07/kevin-cassidy-meath-look-like-they-want-to-hit-the-beach/ (published one week ago).

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 13/07/2015 17:49:23    1752764

Just find it a bit odd booking something like that a day after been beating in the champ.You must have some idea that you may do that..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 18:27:57    1752810

Look mod is the prime example of everything that is wrong with Meath football, has he ever lost a championship game without making excuses?
And let us all remember this is the same man who said that he had no regret's over the league.
I find it astonishing that he thinks he should get another 2 years to bring us even further down.
No more, its over now go and lets have a appointment in time for club games. By hanging on he is hindering the next manager

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 13/07/2015 18:32:08    1752817