Agreed !! But how can the clubs be convinced that more of the same is a waste of time? The result will be loss of travelling supporters. We will become like Offaly....a once strong football force. What a mess in last few years.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1227 - 27/07/2015 11:17:32    1759558

The clubs should not need convincing,they should not settle for it..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 27/07/2015 13:46:00    1759680

The clubs surely wont be as shallow as the cb? Surely they will do what's best for Meath football, they no what needs to be done.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/07/2015 14:31:40    1759729

It has to be said Mick O' Dowd is an absolute gentleman but unfortunately he is not the right man for the job. He is incapable of reading the game when it unfolds and does not play players in the right positions. Having said that who is the right man? To see so many key figures in the county just sit back and watch is disappointing to say the least. If it was any other county there would be less of the berating and people would admit mistakes and take control of the situation. Odds are there will be a farce and no manager in place in the proper timeframe just like before.

Just looking at the SG last night it was interesting to see Donal Og highlight Cork's lack of silverware in the last 10 years. A division 2 trophy would be a good start for us and would kill 2 birds with the one stone silverware and ensure division 1 football which is where we need to be. Forget about leinster titles and quarter finals for the time being.

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 27/07/2015 15:33:17    1759785

Listening to POR on rte radio Sunday evening talking about qualitfier games is even more embrassing.. tells you all you need to know about type of player we have now. 3 weeks after 2 of the worst results ever and then to advise players not to join twitter.. Seriously.

Real men need to be involved and MOD needs to be removed.
Boylan also said we played terrible stuff and forget about players who are always injured. We play them in championship even though they are clearly not fit!!

Northmeathman (Meath) - Posts: 284 - 29/07/2015 09:53:45    1760596

Yeah I think Newman struggled with fitness and as a result lost confidence,still think he has a lot to give to Meath.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 29/07/2015 10:08:18    1760610

northmeathman what did POR say?

Uncle_Fester (Meath) - Posts: 217 - 29/07/2015 10:54:12    1760644

Lads you are all here screaming for MOD's head and so are many of the armchair pundits in the pub who wouldn't get off the stool if Meath were playing in the car park. I'm going to say here the same as I say to them, its the easiest thing in the world to point out a problem but the hard bit is offering a solution. Who is the alternative. I think he's got a lot of things right, he cleared out a lot of deadwood, introduced a lot of good young players and on a couple of occasions this year we played some good football. I'd agree we have fitness issues and we need to bulk up a bit but that's generally to do with the backroom more than the manager. I think we just have to bite the bullet and give him time, if this was happening to a county that has has huge amounts of underage success in the previous decade maybe we just chastise people but as everyone here knows that's just not the case. I'd like to stress I'm not from Skryne and I've actually never met MOD in the person but I just think we have to avoid a knee jerk reaction that will set us back another 3 years.

hootervillian (Meath) - Posts: 308 - 30/07/2015 08:16:14    1761101

Hootervillain, if you don't want to participate in the discussion because we are just armchair warriors then you can exercise your right to stay away.

Most of the people on here do support the team and have been involved at various levels in the county. In answer to your points I dont think it can be termed knee jerk after 3 years and some of our worst performances in living memory. For me the westmeath was the nadir of the last 30 years watching Meath. At the very least the position of the manager should be discussed. look at Cork, I would contest that they had a much better season than meath and should have beaten Kerry only for a very poor refereeing decision. Yet the Cork county board said that they were having a period of reflection. If Cuthbert wanted to make his case for more time then he should do so.

Same with Meath, the co board should have said MOD's term is up, now for some reflection. Let MOD make his case and AT THE SAME TIME let other potential managers make their case. Maybe then after the various cases are made and MOD shows how he thinks he can improve things next year then perhaps MOD would be kept on if he is termed to be the best option.

It is not a case of offending MOD and him getting the hump if the co board ask for a period of reflection and expressions of interest. MOD must know that this year was very bad and realise that his reappointment should not be automatic. Let him look at what changes he needs to make, who he needs to assist with that and put a new package to the county board. At the same time get expressions of interest from Paddy Carr, Graham Geraghty, Anthony Moyles, Damian Sheridan or whoever. I would skip the club nominations part. If the person has a track record accept the expressions of interest from them and give them a week / 10 days to come up with plans. MOD is in a better position than others and his plans should be treated seriously also.

If MOD is going to get the hump at a request for interest then he is not really fully passionate about getting extra time.

So my suggestion is.
1. County Board ask for expressions of interest. Deadine August 10th.
2. Review said expressions of interest at co board meeting.
3. Form a small committee to liaise with interested parties. Set criteria for plans to be submitted. Commmunicate these requirements to interested parties by August 14th.
4. Deadline for plans and details of proposed management teams by August 28th.
5. Committee to identify top 2 or 3 management proposals and interview them.
6. Decision 1st week september.

oldsam_newsam (Meath) - Posts: 638 - 30/07/2015 11:20:39    1761140

I hear Davy Nelson has taken a big interest in the Meath job. With his track record, he'd surely have to be considered plus he could be the man to keep the likes of Brayer in a Meath jersey for another year or two!

Meathmaster (Meath) - Posts: 251 - 30/07/2015 12:00:53    1761163

Meathmaster

How you would you rate Nelson?

Again it would depend on the management team..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 30/07/2015 12:45:05    1761180

Yeah the fact that the county board are not even considering others is madness.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 30/07/2015 12:47:55    1761182

In fairness OldSam is spot on..

The way I see it and everyone should at least agree with this..

MOD was given a three year term,his three years are up.Now he is entitled to go for the job again,outline his plans,realise fully that he has made mistakes and admit that.He would need to be a bit tougher(with players) and moan less in the media.
But the county board,shoud also listen to other candidates and maintain that the job is up for graps.The problem I have,is the message they are sending,is basically it is MOD's job unless the clubs say otherwise.I don't think this is right or fair to other possible candidates.Even Sean Boylan got challenges from others!
Perhaps the county board want to keep MOD,because they are the ones who supported his appointment originally and they could be a bit blind to what is in front of them.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 30/07/2015 12:58:23    1761186

Oldsam is spot on. Look paddy carr , interested, Graham Geraghty, interested, Damian sherridan , possibly interested, eamonn o brien possibly interested, luke dempsy interested (now personally i wouldn't take him) Gerry mcentee , if approached now working in navan would probably work as selector, how in gods name can anyone say no one would replace mod? I am sure there is others. But all those ive mentioned would have far more experience than mod had, and i believe majority would improve our performances , this is the lowest point in Meath football that i can remember since 81/82. There is absolutely no justification for continuing with current management unless you don't go to games or have a alternate reason.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 30/07/2015 14:47:35    1761257

It would be hard to believe that any manager could do worse, what did MOD achieve?, brought in lads to the panel who got little chance, some were not up to the required physical strength to compete, and I think Micko in hindsight would have liked to have some of the deadwood to call on in last two matches. To big a risk for Meath football to reappoint him.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2151 - 30/07/2015 21:12:59    1761460

Oldsam's post is the best on this topic to date and is spot on. I have a feeling this could turn into a circus.

moylagh (Meath) - Posts: 484 - 31/07/2015 10:26:41    1761560

moylagh there is no feeling about it. It WILL turn into a circus! Meath football is a disgrace at the minute. All the dark years we have witnessed since 2001 including Cavan 05, Wexford and Limerick 08, Laois 2012 are nothing in comparison to 2015. We have thought about Meath being at their lowest ebb in these years but this year is definitely our lowest point since 1980. Wouldn't be surprised if many fans boycott the team if Micko is left in charge next year.

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 31/07/2015 11:28:55    1761598

Jimin if most of the fans are like some of the posters on here the team might be better off if they didn't turn up at the matches with the constant negativity. A true supporter supports their team through good times and bad.

subzero (Meath) - Posts: 69 - 31/07/2015 11:55:59    1761617

Jimin i am seriously considering it, but i have faith the clubs will do the right thing in the end .

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 31/07/2015 11:57:30    1761621

subzero

You are correct,regardless of who is in charge I will be at the first O'Byrne Cup game in January,but that doesn't mean that I don't have serious concerns etc..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 31/07/2015 12:15:40    1761631