Nah O'Dowd needs to go,otherwise it will be more of the same next year and he will be gone the year after,BUT it would be wasting a year..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 17/07/2015 20:34:08    1755112

Seems there is a body of opinion building that wants him to stay .I think that would be a mistake,and we would miss a great opportunity for a fresh start. However, i think with a little more time for reflection, and closer examination of the last 3 years Micko may decide he cannot do any more than his best and resign shortly. He is due a big thanks because nobody can do any more than their best.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1227 - 17/07/2015 21:04:07    1755125

I'm not of a strong opinion either way if I'm honest, but if pushed I'd like to see a new manager because with that also comes new hope. The problem is a new manager can't make new players and we just don't seem to have players with fight and determination in them, we do have plenty of talent though and making the AI quarters shouldn't be seen as an ultimate goal, it should be a regular occurrence.

Now I like O'Dowd, he seems like a very genuine, nice fella but sadly we have regressed under him and I'd find it difficult to get excited about next year with him at the helm, harsh maybe but that's the truth.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 18/07/2015 12:39:46    1755203

I agree with you...your last 2 lines in particular. Its the nature of things sometimes, Micko is a nice genuine man so its not nice saying no to him. It is an ideal opportunity to start from a fresh. I think most [not all] young players nowadays need and indeed relish inspirational leadership from a manager .The go through the wall attitude,
and never give up in pursuit of reaching individual and teamS full potential. Some players are born with that the Colm O Rourkes,Mc Entee,Lyons etc.
However for me its horses for courses. Mick o Dowd in NOT the man to meet the requirements of the modern day manager .He has many fine qualities no doubt, but he is just too nice for the job. I did admire his courage in deselecting older players initially,and giving youth its chance. However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. TeamS under MOD lack fitness[unforgivable] lack determination,direction,fighting spirit, belief, etc.
WHO should get the job is a totally different issue,and not related in any way to MICKO. This is where i fully expect leadership from the CB and the 3 wise men.. .Look at the job requirements for the job nowadays . The appointed person will need to measure up ,and if not will need to developed to do the job .No one man will be able to do the whole job himself. He will need to surround him self with individuals who have expertise in vital areas. Manager will have overall responsibility of course .If we replace MICKO with another individual without full analysis of the post etc it will just be most likely more of the same and a very short sighted sticking plaster solution.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1227 - 18/07/2015 14:48:40    1755243

Agree with htaem, there will be very few at league if mod stays, as everyone said he is a nice bloke, no doubt. But i think we need new hope , new direction, and above all something that has been missing, passion, without passion from sideline we wont get passion from players.
The time has come for change, mod has had his chance with these lads, it hasn't worked out, time for someone else to try, if we keep doing the same things we will get the same results.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 18/07/2015 16:09:15    1755272

I aint been on in while, due to been embarressed by our efforts. I said last year it was time for change I am glad to see those who didn't agree with me have changed their mind (rd,zig,htaem) but I find it bizarre that some still want to him to remain, the time for change was last year, we have already wasted one year we can't waist another. Our proud county deserves more than what micko can give.

foreverroyal (Meath) - Posts: 349 - 18/07/2015 16:32:53    1755277

Tyrone beat Tipperary by 0-19 to 0-07 in Thurles and are one match away from quarter finals while we are out on our arse after round 2.

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 18/07/2015 16:56:01    1755285

foreverroyal

I was willing to give O'Dowd a bit of time,and honestly thought he would learn from last season,he clearly hasn't and it saddens me,because he is a nice guy,but nice guys finish last..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 18/07/2015 17:34:13    1755305

Foreverroyal. Yes i defended him and thought another year would improve him, i am man enough to admit i was wrong. Now i had concerns last year and i voiced them, i felt a addition to backroom would have helped, that didn't happen. So now there is no choice other than regime change to coin a phrase:).

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 18/07/2015 18:41:13    1755334

Jimin and a bad Tyrone team at that too, its hard to take, actually i am beyond words to describe how disappointed i am.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 18/07/2015 18:45:43    1755339

If mod stays he needs new team with him it's like his friends there now. You need someone to challenge you at times just to keep u on ur toes .dont think he will thou. Lots of excuses latest one Gillespie injury. Grasping at straws now one man won't change all his problems. He staying put he came in same time as sponsor chairman so they his team as well.

Reco (Meath) - Posts: 419 - 19/07/2015 16:35:24    1755773

Reco mod is the main problem, Tipp and Derry managers did the honourable thing, i am lost for words how someone who has lead a county to a lower standard didn't do the right thing, i am sorry but at this stage its time for county board to make it clear he is no longer wanted. Mod has been praised for been a nice guy especially by me and many others , but by not doing the right thing and moving on he is doing huge disservice to Meath football.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 19/07/2015 17:19:16    1755805

RD

His contract is up so currently we have no manager..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 19/07/2015 17:26:41    1755814

Yes but his i want another two years is stifling getting new people in.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 19/07/2015 17:34:27    1755817

Just because he wants more time means nothing!! An emotional response . He will go himself within 2 weeks i predict !!

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1227 - 19/07/2015 18:03:44    1755841

RD

He doesn't what he wants at this stage,its up to the clubs..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 19/07/2015 18:05:50    1755843

Just after looking through the results and now the upcoming fixtures for Westmeath and Tyrone, the two teams that defeated us. Westmeath play Fermanagh after their loss to Dublin and Tyrone play Sligo after comfortably overcoming Tipperary in the second half. They both have a great chance to reach the quarter finals, something we haven't achieved since 2010. Granted we could have been drawn against Donegal but because Tyrone have already played them, they can't meet again.

meathalltheway, I agree that this year could have been so different for us and in my opinion I feel we are inches away from making a major breakthrough onto the All Ireland stage. I know most people want to see this management team removed but I for one would back them for another two years. I've been to most of if not all of Meath's games over the last three years in which Micko has been involved in be it O'Byrne Cup, league or championship and there are signs of progression. Obviously, if one casts an eye over the results, there has been little progress on that front, in fact we've gone backwards in the case of this year's championship campaign.

What I'm looking at for starters however is the major overhaul in players over the last few years. This had to be carried out, no question about it and I don't think anyone else could have managed it better. While Banty did no major damage in his two years with us, he left a ship that was starting to sink. The likes of Meade, Farrell, Sheridan, Ward, Harrington, Byrne and others of less prominence all had their days in the green and gold and they gave us some good memories, lets not forget that. But it's now time to move on from that era and let today's generation create their own legacy. I expect further adjustments to the panel for next year, 4/5 new faces maybe, which will help bring us on even more. Otherwise, the panel we have is the best of what's currently available.

The modern game of football revolves around pace and power. We have a serious amount of pace in this team and while some of the younger players are lacking on the physical side of things, they are talented footballers nonetheless and can only get stronger if the work is put in. A lot of today's game also requires astute tactical awareness. The general consensus seems to be that if this management team are kept on, another one or two wise heads are required on the line and I'd agree with this. The collapses against the likes of Laois in the league and Westmeath in the championship are inexcusable. This can be attributed to a combination of a mental collapse by the players and poor game management from our line. The players should've been instructed to drop back and protect the goal. If we didn't concede those second half goals against Westmeath, we would've won the game. We will learn from this hopefully.

I've seen enough over the last few months to suggest that there is a bright future in store for this group of players. The manner in which we played against Tyrone and also Down in the league was quite encouraging. I know that's only two games but I believe that we can build on these performances heading into next year. We need continuity and that's why I think Micko should be kept for another two years. Keogan wasn't going to speak out against the management publically whether he felt the need to or not. If there are certain players against the management, then it's hard to see them staying. It's important to note that Andrew Tormey is the county board chairman's son, so player's opinions on this will easily filter back. An interesting few months lie ahead.

MarkMyWords (Meath) - Posts: 498 - 19/07/2015 22:04:13    1756083

Mark my words , he is not the County Chairman's son....You might check your facts before you single out a player like that.

Cusack09 (Meath) - Posts: 15 - 20/07/2015 11:18:23    1756215

yeah Andrew Tormey is a NEPHEW of Conor Tormeys......

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 20/07/2015 11:31:09    1756227

Plenty of negativity on this thread there are many who want rid of MOD but the only alternatives on this forum have been Sean Boylan and Ciaran Whelan Both these options are unrealistic and there are not many within the county who you would feel are the ideal candidate or more importantly would take the hassle and intrusion of being Meath manager. Perhaps the biggest missing ingredient in MOD reign this year has been luck scoring difference keep us out of division 1 and a ridiculous black card for Graham Reilly turned the best performance by Meath in years in Westmeath favour( same ref gave similar black card to Derry player at the weekend and missed blatant penalty decision to infuriate Derry also ). Finally Tyrone in Omagh was the worst possible draw we could have got and Tyrone were imperial at the weekend. Life could me much positive on this forum if ladyluck had shone on Meath this year.

A.Chara (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 20/07/2015 14:25:08    1756391