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Replying To ziggy320001: "Tobin was excellent when he came on today.
Longford were a bit more clinical than Meath, there was an awkward breeze out there though.
We played much better as a team going forward when Biggy went off" In fairness the breeze had nothing to do with our tactics or game play we were horrific 1st half. Once Tobin & O Sullivan came on it was a real game changer. James McEntee was up there aswell. One fine player. Biggy wasnt great by any means today, 4 wides and no score....
Loyalroyal17 (Meath) - Posts: 627 - 14/01/2018 17:57:19
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Replying To Loyalroyal17: "Great show from the lads in 2nd half. I really hate to say it been one of biggys fans but hes close to his sell by date. 4 wides and not 1 point very disappointing performance from him. James McEntee played super. Sean Tobin & Cillian O Sullivan made a huge difference and both should have started. Andy needs to sit back and take a good look at that 1st half. If we are going to win this next week he needs to go back to the drawing board & start our stronges lads. We were very lucky today. Lucks nots going to help us against westmeath. What a drawn out game almost dark not a light in the place when these point shoot outs started." Its the O'Byrne Cup not the All Ireland, calm down.
First half was terrible. How can Longford have a great kick out strategy and we are training since October and still have the same kick it long approach 95% of the time? Why they would not push up on the kick outs in the first half baffles me, if a team is playing like they were it is a major disruption to their plan to stop the short kick out.
A few lads impressed, Luke Moran played well against Wicklow and had another good game today. Hopefully he gets more game time against Westmeath to show what he can do. I know Lavin made the mistake for the first goal but after that he was impressive. Can anyone tell me is he usually a corner back or half back? And then Power, McEntee and COS were also good.
Didn't think Ben Brennan was as good as some were making out here, could be just an off game and that happens. Why was Brian Conlon taken off at HT does anyone know? Hopefully it isn't an injury, I think he will be a regular for us this year.
Barney123 (Meath) - Posts: 676 - 14/01/2018 18:06:22
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Learned loads from that game today.
Gally looks like better option for keeper-- possible captain?
Despite the wobble with goal Lavin was really good. He could have collapsed after that mistake but continued to get stuck in.
Looks like we now have better options than biggie and Burke. Burke - never the quickest seems to have lost a yard of pace. Five big misses from biggie.
Joey Wallace is a class act-- he might not fit the Andy Mcentee type of player but his scores per minute played and link play are exceptional.
McMahon looks lovely and coming back to his best.
Brennan was clearly targeted in first 15mins--very disappointing and telling not to see the rest of his team get stuck in for him. Not the Meath way at all
bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1790 - 14/01/2018 18:11:25
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A very worrying performance today.....if that's our plan for the year the meath senior championship final will be in August
southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 887 - 14/01/2018 18:22:14
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Replying To Barney123: "Its the O'Byrne Cup not the All Ireland, calm down.
First half was terrible. How can Longford have a great kick out strategy and we are training since October and still have the same kick it long approach 95% of the time? Why they would not push up on the kick outs in the first half baffles me, if a team is playing like they were it is a major disruption to their plan to stop the short kick out.
A few lads impressed, Luke Moran played well against Wicklow and had another good game today. Hopefully he gets more game time against Westmeath to show what he can do. I know Lavin made the mistake for the first goal but after that he was impressive. Can anyone tell me is he usually a corner back or half back? And then Power, McEntee and COS were also good.
Didn't think Ben Brennan was as good as some were making out here, could be just an off game and that happens. Why was Brian Conlon taken off at HT does anyone know? Hopefully it isn't an injury, I think he will be a regular for us this year." Possibly An Injury!! yeah wasn't overly impressed with Brennan Myself alot to do to concrete a place in the First 15
grahamc9897 (Meath) - Posts: 1174 - 14/01/2018 18:22:22
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Replying To Barney123: "Its the O'Byrne Cup not the All Ireland, calm down.
First half was terrible. How can Longford have a great kick out strategy and we are training since October and still have the same kick it long approach 95% of the time? Why they would not push up on the kick outs in the first half baffles me, if a team is playing like they were it is a major disruption to their plan to stop the short kick out.
A few lads impressed, Luke Moran played well against Wicklow and had another good game today. Hopefully he gets more game time against Westmeath to show what he can do. I know Lavin made the mistake for the first goal but after that he was impressive. Can anyone tell me is he usually a corner back or half back? And then Power, McEntee and COS were also good.
Didn't think Ben Brennan was as good as some were making out here, could be just an off game and that happens. Why was Brian Conlon taken off at HT does anyone know? Hopefully it isn't an injury, I think he will be a regular for us this year." I know i got carried away with my annoyance over the state of play in 1st half. Brennan is only back after been out with a calf injury may explain him today i dont know. Moran is a great player hes defo going to be one to watch. He had a good game out there again today. Didnt think Conlon was injured. Maybe just a change Andy made i hope hes not injured he should start next weekend. One for me who shouldnt start is Biggy not after today. Mickey Burke was on top form and played great when we needed him. Another fella standing out for me is James McEntee i hope we see more of him.
Loyalroyal17 (Meath) - Posts: 627 - 14/01/2018 18:28:41
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Replying To Barney123: "Its the O'Byrne Cup not the All Ireland, calm down.
First half was terrible. How can Longford have a great kick out strategy and we are training since October and still have the same kick it long approach 95% of the time? Why they would not push up on the kick outs in the first half baffles me, if a team is playing like they were it is a major disruption to their plan to stop the short kick out.
A few lads impressed, Luke Moran played well against Wicklow and had another good game today. Hopefully he gets more game time against Westmeath to show what he can do. I know Lavin made the mistake for the first goal but after that he was impressive. Can anyone tell me is he usually a corner back or half back? And then Power, McEntee and COS were also good.
Didn't think Ben Brennan was as good as some were making out here, could be just an off game and that happens. Why was Brian Conlon taken off at HT does anyone know? Hopefully it isn't an injury, I think he will be a regular for us this year." Luke Moran found it very difficult today imo
ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 14/01/2018 18:34:16
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For me i could not see any grounds for optimism in the first half. Lavin and Moran caught my eye because of their willingness and workrate, but that was about it. We improved in the second half , but Longford kick outs went to their own mostly. Why was this allowed to continue? We do not have a leader on the pitch. when leadership is needed. I expect to see Andy making a decision on who should be captain this year. Not Graham as i think he will have enough to do to hold a place on the team..He had some great games for Meath. Captain No.
I would try Moran at MIDFIELD assuming Mc Gill is OK for full back spot. I would still persevere with Flanagan at 9 with Rooney, and Menton at half back. The 2 lads at midfield need more football in the hope that will bring them on.
Andy would not be happy to day .Frustration is too small a word for it. Allowing for the fact that its Mid January,O Byrne cup, but on the other hand lads were trying to get a place on the team So a lot of HOPE,and very little OPTIMISM.
We wont even dwell on the flood light fiasco,and having to finish in semi darkness.....As a long time Meath supporter what a shambles......shame on those responsible!
nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1223 - 14/01/2018 18:43:13
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Replying To ziggy320001: "Luke Moran found it very difficult today imo" agree!!
grahamc9897 (Meath) - Posts: 1174 - 14/01/2018 18:46:49
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Replying To grahamc9897: "Possibly An Injury!! yeah wasn't overly impressed with Brennan Myself alot to do to concrete a place in the First 15" I think Conlon was giving Andy a bit of mouth and not following orders. Might be the reason he got pulled
bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1790 - 14/01/2018 18:49:07
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Replying To bert09: "Learned loads from that game today.
Gally looks like better option for keeper-- possible captain?
Despite the wobble with goal Lavin was really good. He could have collapsed after that mistake but continued to get stuck in.
Looks like we now have better options than biggie and Burke. Burke - never the quickest seems to have lost a yard of pace. Five big misses from biggie.
Joey Wallace is a class act-- he might not fit the Andy Mcentee type of player but his scores per minute played and link play are exceptional.
McMahon looks lovely and coming back to his best.
Brennan was clearly targeted in first 15mins--very disappointing and telling not to see the rest of his team get stuck in for him. Not the Meath way at all" I taught Mc Mahon was poor I am not sure how stayed on the pitch for so long. albeit subbed for injury. Missed a simple goal gave the ball away cheaply a good times. seems to pass the backwards instead forward. hesitates to shoot alot. I do like him he just not cutting it in for me.
bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 14/01/2018 19:28:24
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Taught Flanagan was brilliant caught all lot ball today. And broke alot ball he didnt catch MOM imo. Surprised no body really mentioned it.
bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 14/01/2018 19:32:05
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Replying To bobkarlgees: "Taught Flanagan was brilliant caught all lot ball today. And broke alot ball he didnt catch MOM imo. Surprised no body really mentioned it." Thought he did well around the middle, struggled a bit tracking his men though.
ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 14/01/2018 19:42:53
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Great to be in a final and have a chance of an extra game before the first round of the league but how in gods name did we throw away a 4 point in 90 seconds lead instead of trying to see the game out.
Some people on here need to realise a lot of our "experienced" lads today didn't show up besides Burke and Menton Some players are far too slow in releasing the ball quickly and others couldn't hit a barn door with a kick pass.
Our style of play is dreadful as well the first ten minutes we were too defensive, same as the Carlow game which was nearly a good half of defensive football. If we are going play like this then at least have two lads in the full forward line and another two lads in the half forward line and let your corner forward play as a sweeper/third midfielder/extra half forward.
Now there were a lot of positives from today both Lavin and Moran done very well barring the odd mistake which is going to happen lads with very little inter county experience. Burke was brilliant throughout but he has lost a yard of pace and we might need to find another spot rather than corner back.
Keoghan was a lot less effective today but still carried out his defensive duties very well. Conlon shouldn't have been taken off at half time while Shane needs to improve his distribution of the ball.
Menton and Flanagan done very well and I think that's out midfield for the first round of league. Rooney has gone down the pecking order, he slows the play up when he has the ball.
Our whole half forward line weren't at the races today and this lead to Longford gaining a platform for the majority of their attacks, changes will be needed here. I also don't think James McEntee is the answer he gave a way so much ball when he came on we were lucky Longford weren't as attack minded in the second half. Cillian O Sullivan is the same as last year running down blind alleys.
Bryan McMahon and O Reilly both done very good it was a shame they were stuck so deep in the first half. I'd like to see Ben stay on the 40, he drifted in and out today and looked lost.
Wallace, Tobin and O Neill all looked very good when they came on and I think deserve a start in the final as any game time they got so far they haven't done much wrong.
I'm going to stick my team on the other Westmeath thread for the next day as there was enough reading here.
UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 355 - 14/01/2018 19:50:29
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Replying To bobkarlgees: "I taught Mc Mahon was poor I am not sure how stayed on the pitch for so long. albeit subbed for injury. Missed a simple goal gave the ball away cheaply a good times. seems to pass the backwards instead forward. hesitates to shoot alot. I do like him he just not cutting it in for me." Fair point.. defo should have scored the goal. Still--4 points is a decent return.
bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1790 - 14/01/2018 20:00:33
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How we played 15 behind the ball in first half is beyond me management to blame for that. Longford are decent outfit looks like they use the ball at there training.
Second half we opened up a bit more but having no one on full forward Line is killing us.they used a two man inside it was working big time.im all for been tight at back but with the elements u use them to your plan.Oneill looks composed for young lad Burke is true warrior power is your centre back.i leave Flanagan alone let him play all games he needs to get confidence up. Final now so it's there to b won the system is not my cup of tea. Let's hope for progress anyway.
Reco (Meath) - Posts: 419 - 14/01/2018 20:19:46
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Replying To Reco: "How we played 15 behind the ball in first half is beyond me management to blame for that. Longford are decent outfit looks like they use the ball at there training.
Second half we opened up a bit more but having no one on full forward Line is killing us.they used a two man inside it was working big time.im all for been tight at back but with the elements u use them to your plan.Oneill looks composed for young lad Burke is true warrior power is your centre back.i leave Flanagan alone let him play all games he needs to get confidence up. Final now so it's there to b won the system is not my cup of tea. Let's hope for progress anyway." Sorry but Burke has not got the intelligence to play centre back..
ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 14/01/2018 20:26:36
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Replying To ziggy320001: "Sorry but Burke has not got the intelligence to play centre back.." I think he means Brian power centre back
bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1790 - 14/01/2018 20:36:41
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More positives than negatives for me today.
Meath had 15 behind the ball first half and no forwards/players inside for most of the half (OK, they conceded a bad goal before half-time) but they stayed in touch. Longford kept one or two players upfield so were good on the counter attack and found it that bit easier than Meath to get their few scores, with a swirling breeze slightly in their favour.
Meath's second half performance was much better with quite a few changes. Adam Flanagan was very good throughout, Menton eventually got into the game. Sean Tobin got some big scores when it mattered, COS and Joey brought more energy to our game.
McMahon and McEntee missed two great goal scoring chances and COS point that wasn't meant all of us that were there today witnessed a historic shootout and a dramatic finale.
Meath are still vulnerable from a defensive point of view, but given all the experimentation they have done well enough so far, results wise at least (without having their strongest possible 15 on the field at any one time). The squad has a fresh look about it. Lets hope Andy & Co know their best team by the time we all head to Roscommon. And sort out our neighbours in the meantime.
GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 14/01/2018 20:46:05
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Lads you need a centre back who holds and understand the position. Conlon and Power do.
Lavin and Gallagher could be the way go at corner back. Keoghan wing back. Not sure who else I would pick wing back yet..
ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 14/01/2018 20:57:45
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