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Meath v Clare

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Replying To anfearbeag: "At the risk of opening up last weeks debate about the difference between "should win" and "hope to win", I would say that this is a game that meath should win, and absolutely need to win if we want promotion. With no direspect meant to Clare, this is one that you would have down as a home banker. We beat them by 12 points in Ennis last year, and I don't see that they have improved hugely since then. 2/5 home win at the bookies, but I will be taking the 21/20 on meath (-3). Regarding the team, it looks like the tactic this year is to keep things very tight for the first half, then cut loose in the last 25 minutes. To do that, we need to be able to bring on 2 or 3 forwards who can up the pressure on the opposition defense with fresh legs. Tobin should be one of those, as he appears to play better as a sub that a starter. One of the Wallaces should also be available to run at the defense when they are tiring. The other person I would hold back for that role is graham Reilly. I would like to see him in the mc Menamon role for Dublin - on after 10 minutes of the second half to reek havoc. I just don't think he has the legs for 70 minutes championship football - in horse racing terms, I don't think he stays the distance. I would much prefer to see Biggy tearing at a defense for 25 minutes at 100%, that watching him chase shadows around his own 45 yard line for 40 minutes, and then have nothing in the tank when we go to attack. I don't think the first half defensive tactics are suited to his game, and would prefer to save his energy to when it can be used best. I'd play; Colgan Lavin McGill Burke Keoghan Conlon Power Menton Flanagan J McEntee Brennan O'sullivan Wallace Mckeever O'reilly I reckon though that McEntee will play s McEntee instead of Conlon, and graham Reilly instead of Brennan." Sorry I don't know based on yesterday's performance how we would start oreilly. royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/01/2018 18:48:20 2072123 Link
Having thought about it I've changed my mind. I actually would start graham in this game, last year he had a stormer in Ennis. Perfect game to get his mojo back. royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/01/2018 19:15:30 2072135 Link
Simply have to win on Sunday, all remaining games look no better than 50/50. Cork looked poor last week but by time we play them they will have a full panel to choose from. seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2135 - 29/01/2018 19:16:11 2072137 Link
I think Reilly needs to drop to the bench for Sunday but must feature at some stage. He's having a bad run of form lately but all he needs is a few scores to get the confidence up. He will know that himself so let's not bring the knives out all at once. It's good that we have the faith to pick largely similar teams (one or two changes with slight preferences) I would disagree that E. Wallace must start. Yes he injected pace and attacking threat yesterday which was welcome giving the day that was in it - a perfect scenario for a player such as himself. I believe running at tiring teams will open up space for others to kick scores. Perhaps Thomas O'Reilly drops out. Bring in McKeever instead. I would keep Brennan to start. Burke may need a rest which allows Conlon to come in. It's exciting for the home game and I don't think Clare are going to be chomping at the bit for this one. However, we must remain focused on the win and 2 points and not let up a lead if we get in front. Royalio11 (Meath) - Posts: 757 - 29/01/2018 19:47:33 2072150 Link
Replying To seadog54: "Simply have to win on Sunday, all remaining games look no better than 50/50. Cork looked poor last week but by time we play them they will have a full panel to choose from." We cannot take any game or any team for granted 100% focus must be on Clare, we must not treat them any differently to any other opponent. This has cost us in the past. If we do that then I think we will win. royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/01/2018 20:41:42 2072172 Link
Replying To Royalio11: "I think Reilly needs to drop to the bench for Sunday but must feature at some stage. He's having a bad run of form lately but all he needs is a few scores to get the confidence up. He will know that himself so let's not bring the knives out all at once. It's good that we have the faith to pick largely similar teams (one or two changes with slight preferences) I would disagree that E. Wallace must start. Yes he injected pace and attacking threat yesterday which was welcome giving the day that was in it - a perfect scenario for a player such as himself. I believe running at tiring teams will open up space for others to kick scores. Perhaps Thomas O'Reilly drops out. Bring in McKeever instead. I would keep Brennan to start. Burke may need a rest which allows Conlon to come in. It's exciting for the home game and I don't think Clare are going to be chomping at the bit for this one. However, we must remain focused on the win and 2 points and not let up a lead if we get in front." Agree 100% with you re. Wallace. Bring him off the bench with 20mins to go especially if it's a sticky pitch. Would like to see T. OReilly get a sustained run in the side. This guy has bags of talent and strength as does Brian Conlan. Roscommon radio described Conlan as having a serious,serious engine. ClonardGael (Meath) - Posts: 75 - 29/01/2018 21:31:46 2072193 Link
Replying To seadog54: "Simply have to win on Sunday, all remaining games look no better than 50/50. Cork looked poor last week but by time we play them they will have a full panel to choose from." Not sure how much of that was cork being poor or tipp being good! Tipp have really stepped up the past few years and have better runs in the championship than we have! Their full forward line looks very impressive! Bottom line to get promoted we should be beating Clare and not beating them will see us in a scrap to avoid relegation! Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 473 - 29/01/2018 22:13:02 2072204 Link
Replying To royaldunne: "Sorry I don't know based on yesterday's performance how we would start oreilly." Because he is an excellent young footballer with bags of talent and hopefully a big future. I don't think that dropping him after 1 league match is going to help his confidence. Give him time. anfearbeag (Meath) - Posts: 1134 - 29/01/2018 22:48:27 2072217 Link
Replying To Northsidegaels: "Well let's be honest about things here, the best half back line in the county would be keoghan, conlon and forde but unfortunately we won't see forde this year so power needs to nail his chance he's been around long enough now. At 20 the defence should be built around conlon going forward" Conlon will not play CB if power is fit He is a good athlete but not a great footballer Power a much better CB way more honest and works harder head4dblackspot (Meath) - Posts: 513 - 29/01/2018 23:02:23 2072229 Link
Replying To Royalblufill: "Not sure how much of that was cork being poor or tipp being good! Tipp have really stepped up the past few years and have better runs in the championship than we have! Their full forward line looks very impressive! Bottom line to get promoted we should be beating Clare and not beating them will see us in a scrap to avoid relegation!" True,Tipp have 4/5 players of real quality and a great work ethic right throughout team, will be a match for any team in this division. seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2135 - 30/01/2018 00:25:16 2072254 Link
I agree this is a must win game for promotion hopes to be realised as are our other two home games v Cork and Down. We must maximise the return of points at home. I feel we will win but some players will need to show more this coming weekend and should lack no incentive, team selection will be interesting given the impact our subs had last Sunday and I'd love to be a fly on the wall when the management team sit down to decide the starting 15. Really impressed with McColgan, Lavin, McGill, J. Wallace and Menton last Sunday while O'Sullivan worked his socks off and showed his great abilities with that goal. And of course the subs of McKeever, Tobin, Conlon and E.Wallace made big contributions, it's a good headache to have I suppose and this is a game where lads should be looking to really perform and nail a place on the starting 15, Clare won't be easy and will be disappointed not to have taken both points v Cavan but this is a must win for us and I expect a more consistent performance, and a winning performance Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 30/01/2018 00:41:42 2072256 Link
Any news on when Alan Forde will be back. Will he back for the championship in June. I thought that would be the time he would be back after the cruciate. Himself and James Mcentee can be two very effective wings forwards for us going forward in the next few years. They can both score, but they can also come back and defend. They are the modern type of wing forward we have been crying out for the last few years. Any news on when Forde will be back ?. I think he is a very good player for us. He gets up and down the field well and links well. He would be a massive addition for the championship. Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 30/01/2018 05:13:51 2072265 Link
Replying To anfearbeag: "Because he is an excellent young footballer with bags of talent and hopefully a big future. I don't think that dropping him after 1 league match is going to help his confidence. Give him time." The first time I really seen Thomas O'Reilly close up. I know he didn't have a great game. But I think your right he did show composure on the ball at times and looks to be a stylish type player one for the future. I did feel a little sorry him been thrown in terrible condition's against a top team in this division. I sure its all a learning curve for him. I am not sure he be to worried about be dropped if in needed he is. bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 30/01/2018 09:18:10 2072277 Link
Replying To anfearbeag: "Because he is an excellent young footballer with bags of talent and hopefully a big future. I don't think that dropping him after 1 league match is going to help his confidence. Give him time." Look I agree he's a great prospect, I just think he needs to eased into things, not sure if starting him is best option royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 30/01/2018 09:32:58 2072280 Link
Replying To Furlong1949: "Any news on when Alan Forde will be back. Will he back for the championship in June. I thought that would be the time he would be back after the cruciate. Himself and James Mcentee can be two very effective wings forwards for us going forward in the next few years. They can both score, but they can also come back and defend. They are the modern type of wing forward we have been crying out for the last few years. Any news on when Forde will be back ?. I think he is a very good player for us. He gets up and down the field well and links well. He would be a massive addition for the championship." He will not be back at all this year Northsidegaels (Meath) - Posts: 237 - 30/01/2018 12:37:26 2072354 Link
Replying To head4dblackspot: "Conlon will not play CB if power is fit He is a good athlete but not a great footballer Power a much better CB way more honest and works harder" Power offers nothing going forward and has had 6 years to make an impact and simply hasn't. Conlon is bigger, stronger and unlike any other player at breaking a tackle and bombing forward and has made more of an impact as a teenager in just over a year than power has in 5 or 6 years Northsidegaels (Meath) - Posts: 237 - 30/01/2018 12:45:33 2072365 Link
Replying To Northsidegaels: "Power offers nothing going forward and has had 6 years to make an impact and simply hasn't. Conlon is bigger, stronger and unlike any other player at breaking a tackle and bombing forward and has made more of an impact as a teenager in just over a year than power has in 5 or 6 years" Absolutely no truth in that at all!! Firstly Power is only in the Senior team about 4 years as he is only 24 yeas old now. Power is quite good at breaking forward when the opportunity is there as shown against Roscommon last week when having a shot saved on the line and Clare last year when scoring agoal at the end of a great team move!! Conlon is a great potential don't get me wonrg but was completely exposed at CB against Longford when he spent more time out of position leaving massive gaps down the middle and needlessly gave the ball away which aloowed Roscommon to break down the field and win the penalty. I f you don't like Power then just come out and say it as everyone has their own personal opinions on players but basing it on lies is laughable. ratlag (Meath) - Posts: 557 - 30/01/2018 13:01:00 2072374 Link
Replying To Northsidegaels: "Power offers nothing going forward and has had 6 years to make an impact and simply hasn't. Conlon is bigger, stronger and unlike any other player at breaking a tackle and bombing forward and has made more of an impact as a teenager in just over a year than power has in 5 or 6 years" completely agree. I simply cannot see why this does not happen. People reference Longford and that Conlon did not hold the middle, sure the game was a joke. A good reader, can break a take and above all can play footfall going forward. pretender (Meath) - Posts: 358 - 30/01/2018 13:03:37 2072378 Link
Replying To ratlag: "Absolutely no truth in that at all!! Firstly Power is only in the Senior team about 4 years as he is only 24 yeas old now. Power is quite good at breaking forward when the opportunity is there as shown against Roscommon last week when having a shot saved on the line and Clare last year when scoring agoal at the end of a great team move!! Conlon is a great potential don't get me wonrg but was completely exposed at CB against Longford when he spent more time out of position leaving massive gaps down the middle and needlessly gave the ball away which aloowed Roscommon to break down the field and win the penalty. I f you don't like Power then just come out and say it as everyone has their own personal opinions on players but basing it on lies is laughable." Apologies, actually only 23, he's born 94 (Minor Full back in 2012) And at CB you want a player thats holds the position and doesn't get caught out, Conlon is great at bombing forward which is why wing back suits him far better, but defensively he hasn't shown anything at county level to say that he is the future for meath at 6. ratlag (Meath) - Posts: 557 - 30/01/2018 13:11:57 2072389 Link
Replying To ratlag: "Absolutely no truth in that at all!! Firstly Power is only in the Senior team about 4 years as he is only 24 yeas old now. Power is quite good at breaking forward when the opportunity is there as shown against Roscommon last week when having a shot saved on the line and Clare last year when scoring agoal at the end of a great team move!! Conlon is a great potential don't get me wonrg but was completely exposed at CB against Longford when he spent more time out of position leaving massive gaps down the middle and needlessly gave the ball away which aloowed Roscommon to break down the field and win the penalty. I f you don't like Power then just come out and say it as everyone has their own personal opinions on players but basing it on lies is laughable." Exactly what I meant ad in he's had 5 or 6 years since he's been Northsidegaels (Meath) - Posts: 237 - 30/01/2018 14:06:40 2072413 Link