Posted on the other thread, was meant to go here. Same idea anyway...

MarkMyWords
County: Meath
Posts: 366

1756083 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 - 20/07/2015 11:16:14    1756210

Not trying to be smart but Andrew is a nephew of Conor's,his dad is Christy..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 20/07/2015 11:32:09    1756229

I see BANTY says the sooner Meath get away from traditonal style the better.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 20/07/2015 19:48:26    1756657

Would agree with banty. And actually we have declined since he left (a sentence i never thought id say).
But look what's needed is a new management team, one that can actually get a team fit. It is inexcusable that a senior county team is not fit enough for 70 mins, and it was same last year, can anyone who is advocating mod stay on justify that?

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 20/07/2015 20:14:34    1756672

Ziggy you already said that

AnMhi2015 (Meath) - Posts: 1 - 20/07/2015 20:30:50    1756676

AnMhi2015

Yeah I said it from my point of view,but just noticed Banty said something similar..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 20/07/2015 20:40:52    1756680

Darren Fay,Tommy Dowd and Bernard Flynn on Newstalk

http://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Off_The_Ball/The_Panel_on_Off_the_Ball/97954/The_Panel_Heyday_of_Meath_GAA

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 21/07/2015 12:28:57    1756878

Would love to see some of the current team do the training the lads are talking about!

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 21/07/2015 12:35:56    1756887

In what way have we declined since Banty left . he had us in Division 3 got Gods sake . At least we were looking to Div 1 this year . However I 'll not forget the facts guys . Meath were beaten up very badly in Clones by Monaghan , caught on the hop in Galway, by a poor Galway team , Beaten in Roscommon ,, again caught on the hop with Laois , lacking in the killer instinct , and left a lot to be desired in this years championship .
Its a rebuilding programme we're talking about here , not a minor alteration or just a face lift .The players that are on the panel need to be fit enough to play every game as if extra time was required all the time , not dying off after an intensive 35 minutes , Mick O Dwyer once said that he trained his teams to be able to run and play at intensity for over the hour , and that it was this ability that made them great, they were physical but could burn opponents off with their running and intensity , and stamina . The panel needs to be strengthened by some experienced and battle hardened players , that want to wear the green and gold again of Meath . Take a look at the so called discarded players from Banty's era ( Don't forget that Farrell , Byrne , and Ward burned up this years, and last years League & championships) , take a look at the players that won't , don't want to work with MOD . Have they smelt the coffee ... Time for a back to basics approach and working to our strengths . Big, mobile, fearsome with a centre of steel , with only the odd player that's slight but skilful, Banty went for big , strong , mobile units , the way most Northern teams are set out . the odd exceptions are always there . Meath need to get back there. No team fears the size of the Meath team any more .... the fear needs to be instilled again before we even take to the field . Small and quick , pacy has its place , but in limited quantities .

Chaisleain_Abu (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 21/07/2015 13:24:33    1756927

Just listening to the lads on Newstalk the word attitude comes up time and time again.The current team need a moment where the attitude changes.But you need a strong manager to brin that out.They hinted that the current side could do with an honest manager and a guy who will let them know if they are not doing there stuff.
Graham Geraghty would be the man for that imo.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 21/07/2015 15:14:36    1757027

Graham Geraghty. Would certainly employ attitude.
But i think its a bang on certainty that if mod remains we will be back in div 3 , also the year we got relegated was also one of those years , that been said i feel we were playing more competitive with the better teams.
The attitude is all wrong, and too soft, we need steal we are gone too nice . The only man i see who would certainly make us not so nice is GG.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 21/07/2015 17:37:07    1757127

Let me play devils advocate here for minute, would there be any concerns over Gergahty's attitude and perhaps his polarizing nature, would that translate well into management or could there be some problems? Also what experience does he have in management? now I know he isn't completely green but I'm not really aware of anything major he's achieved as a manager at club or intercounty level but maybe I've not been paying attention, also would he be tactically up to it?

Ps, just to be clear, Geraghty is probably my all time favourite Meath player and I loved his polarizing, take no prisoners character and the natural confidence that flowed through him. I've never really been concerned with Meath being loved and while I admire humble players I get far more enjoyment out of Geraghty type players, but I'm just wondering whether or not he would have the interest and know how to manage Meath?

Finally, I know he'd have the respect of the players, he's a born winner and natural leader with a proven record on the pitch, so respect would come naturally with Geraghty and that's a big advantage.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 21/07/2015 18:08:06    1757154

HTAEM

I don't think GG is a Roy Keane type character..

I know a young player who was on the Meath panel when Banty was there.He told me that GG would be his choice of manager.He said and I quote..

"He is very good with the young players,what he says to them.He was great to me,he is very honest and there is no bull with him.I would go through a brick wall for that man"

By the way he was my choice 3 years ago..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 21/07/2015 18:47:17    1757177

Htaem

You get someone else in who is good tactically.Its all about getting in a good management team.Now GG may be good tactically,I'm not sure.He brought Duleek/Bellowstown to the Quarters last year with a very poor group of players.I think his man-management would be excellent,and if not manager,I would like to see him as part of the set-up without question.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 21/07/2015 18:49:29    1757178

Often a team reflects the manager and I think the current team reflect the manager. The Sean Boylan teams mirrowed him too. Wouldn't be great to see a Meath team go out with the pride and confidence that GG has?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 21/07/2015 18:51:44    1757180

Htaem

Wouldn't be nice for people to start hating us again? :)

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 21/07/2015 18:58:34    1757184

Let gg win an all Ireland with the minors or under 21s before handing him the seniors

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1792 - 21/07/2015 19:24:38    1757203

Htaem fair question, did a tiny bit of forwards coach with Longford, coached a average Westmeath club to county quarters , () his influence was unreal. And by all accounts dul/bel are punching way above their weight (no disrespect to them) i seen first hand what he did in Westmeath club, them guys would have gone through a brick wall for him.
Also the year he had as selector with county would stand to him. He actually has more experience than mod had (now ok that wouldn't be hard) but still. Some of the players said it was his influence that got them to beat Kildare that year, so all in all he probably the best candidate, but it is the team around him that is just as important. I also think that rather than been nicey nice he would install pride passion and a steal that has been sadly missing, you wouldn't give a half hearted performance and not get a bollicking when you got into dressing room. And theyd be no lame excuses that seem to have became the norm over last few years.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 21/07/2015 19:31:59    1757207

RD

My worry is,(if he is interested),that he won't get the job because of what people think of him...

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 21/07/2015 20:12:38    1757228

Ziggy that's my worry too, calling a spade a spade he is the ideal candidate, but he isn't never has been and never will be pc, .
I hope this cb can shake off the sack cloth and ashes act that we seem to be carrying first from what us they supporters did in 01 v Kerry and especially since 10 v Louth,
He was best candidate 3 years ago and didn't get it (look where that brought us) i do hope they make right decision for Meath football, love him or loath him he would improve us beyond recognition, perhaps even with promotion at first attempt from the toughest div 2 in years .
Do the right thing install the right man, and leave personal opinion of someone aside .

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 21/07/2015 21:04:59    1757272