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Not sure what to think really after that. I have learned to ignore pre season games and if we won I would have taken it but given the make up of the Dublin team I would not have taken anything out of the game.
The problem is one of confidence really, as the team will know they should be beating that Dublin team and the fact they could not, could have a negative effect on their confidence.
As regards our prospects for the league I think we have to win our first game and do not be surprised if like last year we go into our last two games having to win to stay up and as both are winnable games we should be ok.
The key then is what we can get out of the 4 games in between and all are hard tough games.
I expect looking at the teams in our division that no one team will dominate and the more fancied teams will beat each other so maybe 10 points would be enough to get promoted. Assuming we can win the three games highlighted that would mean at least two wins from Donegal or Cork (away) or Armagh / Kildare (Home).
So really the importance of winning at home to Tipperary cannot be over stated.
ROYALOPTIMIST (Meath) - Posts: 179 - 13/01/2019 10:19:52
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lads and lassies, you can only pi## with the d##k you have, in fairness to mc entee he is trying different players and giving everyone a chance, reality is we are a very average team that will do well to maintain division 2 status, dublin kildare miles ahead of us in leinster and you could argue that westmeath are 3rd ranked. another short year im afraid.
thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1047 - 13/01/2019 10:59:58
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Last night's match was the first match i got to this year.
Firstly as always disappointed when we lose, but its the O'Byrne Cup!
Secondly, i cant understand how a penalty cant be scored. Yes the goalkeeper can make a brilliant save but surely the odds are with the penalty taker even if its only 11 yds out. With that said, at the very least you must hit the target. 2 out of 3 over the bar, and rising i may add. Difficult to comprehend really.
But we should not have been in position to take penalties as our lack of accuracy and poor decision making up front cost us, in my opinion.
I dont want to sound negative because even though i was disappointed with the result i could definitely see improvements. Defensively we looked more assured. Seamus Lavin & Conor McGill are decent defenders albeit young. Both are improving with matches. And i was impressed with mental attitude of McGill who didnt let the mistake for the goal influence his match. He kept trying to do the right thing. Our half back line looks better equipped defensively and offensively than lines gone before it, but like young Ronan Ryan in corner i will reserve judgement until sterner tests arrive.
Midfield seems settled but again in my opinion neither are top drawer intercounty midfielders. (Bryan Menton is a wing back, in my opinion). They both worked hard and won some decent ball.
We showed some decent movement upfront and Graham Reilly added something when introduced both times. Good to see Micheal Newman back, but seems to lack confidence. Darragh Campion appears to be enjoying the opportunity of playing, and i hope he develops. Ben Brennan was his usual self, but headless at times. Needs to think of doing simple correct options more often. Overall decent, with improvement and greater decision making needed upfront as a unit.
Finally my one concern would be goalkeeper. No disrespect to either Barry Dardis or Marcus Brennan, and i felt they had a decent kickout strategy, i feel come more meaningful matches neither are good enough. We desperately need to find a goalkeeper.
Overall we are improving which is positive and this loss albeit on penalties is in the O'Byrne Cup on January, league and championship are much more important.
David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 13/01/2019 11:01:47
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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "Positives, Our back 6 looks quiet settled. Ronan Ryan and Daragh Campion look ready to make a significant impact and Seamus Lavin seems to have continued his club form into county. Negatives I don't trust Dardis or Brennan in goal in a big game, Quinn and Hickey didn't look up to it and we haven't got many players to add to the team today" Agree 100% on all of the above. Full back line was very good last night, with Campion our best forward.
I think we are limited at wing forward and corner forward....bar Cillian O'Sullivan, I can't think of anyone else we have to come in here still??
Don't think Flanagan is up to it at midfield either - if he is not going to be fielding or breaking kick outs, what is the point in playing him
Belt (Meath) - Posts: 253 - 13/01/2019 11:19:44
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Replying To Richieq: "Wayne you call call them a third team, back up reserves, Dublin light whatever you want it still doesn't mask the fact that last night Meath played 15 odd footballers who were playing at "ahem" home, mad to make an impression and stake a claim in the squad come league and championship, we wouldn't have faced such eagerness if we played the normal Dublin starting 15. I do not see defeat last night as a cause for alarm bells as some Meath supporters have, we have a lot of new players cutting their teeth and established players trying to shake off the effects of some scarring defeats in recent years but I like the approach being taken and an optimistic of a relatively decent year, I am also heartened by our recent underage successes which have included victories over Dublin etc so we aren't going to throw ourselves overboard on the basis of last nights game, we are well aware of the work needed and our position in the football world, defeat last night makes that position no worse than before the game." like i said its only an obc game so yeah wouldn't be overly stressed out if i was a Meath fan, all im saying is considering the advantages meath had over dublin in terms of training in their legs, more game time (3 games to dublins 0) therefore more experience or the new rules, a stronger starting team etc, i expected Meath to win comfortably especially when they where 1-04 to 0-02 up, and while you dont write the whole season off based on an obyrne cup game in January, id be a bit downheartened by that, but some are glass half empty kinda people and some are glass half full. each to their own.
i agree alot of dublin guys would have gone out trying to prove a point, but then so did Meaths lads especially the forward players. The defence was strong in personnel anyways. And it doesnt matter how hard the dublin lads where trying to prove a point, theyre still 3rd string you cant get away from that just cause theyre trying to prove a pt. Thats kinda the whole idea of lads trying to make it... theyll work hard
waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 13/01/2019 11:29:40
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Replying To waynoI: "like i said its only an obc game so yeah wouldn't be overly stressed out if i was a Meath fan, all im saying is considering the advantages meath had over dublin in terms of training in their legs, more game time (3 games to dublins 0) therefore more experience or the new rules, a stronger starting team etc, i expected Meath to win comfortably especially when they where 1-04 to 0-02 up, and while you dont write the whole season off based on an obyrne cup game in January, id be a bit downheartened by that, but some are glass half empty kinda people and some are glass half full. each to their own.
i agree alot of dublin guys would have gone out trying to prove a point, but then so did Meaths lads especially the forward players. The defence was strong in personnel anyways. And it doesnt matter how hard the dublin lads where trying to prove a point, theyre still 3rd string you cant get away from that just cause theyre trying to prove a pt. Thats kinda the whole idea of lads trying to make it... theyll work hard" Meath had about 8 lads that will start in the championship in the summer playing last night. The dubs had about 2 that might make the the training panel for the summer. Lets face it Meath are a not at the races in regard to reaching the super 8s. We would not make a super 12s . Lets face it we are going nowhere fast
gardentree (Meath) - Posts: 194 - 13/01/2019 12:40:22
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Replying To gardentree: "Meath had about 8 lads that will start in the championship in the summer playing last night. The dubs had about 2 that might make the the training panel for the summer. Lets face it Meath are a not at the races in regard to reaching the super 8s. We would not make a super 12s . Lets face it we are going nowhere fast" And who said they were? Ffs this type of nonsense is useless, we are heading in the right direction. That's all that matters. Talk of super 8s is pointless
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 13/01/2019 15:04:48
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Replying To David: "Last night's match was the first match i got to this year.
Firstly as always disappointed when we lose, but its the O'Byrne Cup!
Secondly, i cant understand how a penalty cant be scored. Yes the goalkeeper can make a brilliant save but surely the odds are with the penalty taker even if its only 11 yds out. With that said, at the very least you must hit the target. 2 out of 3 over the bar, and rising i may add. Difficult to comprehend really.
But we should not have been in position to take penalties as our lack of accuracy and poor decision making up front cost us, in my opinion.
I dont want to sound negative because even though i was disappointed with the result i could definitely see improvements. Defensively we looked more assured. Seamus Lavin & Conor McGill are decent defenders albeit young. Both are improving with matches. And i was impressed with mental attitude of McGill who didnt let the mistake for the goal influence his match. He kept trying to do the right thing. Our half back line looks better equipped defensively and offensively than lines gone before it, but like young Ronan Ryan in corner i will reserve judgement until sterner tests arrive.
Midfield seems settled but again in my opinion neither are top drawer intercounty midfielders. (Bryan Menton is a wing back, in my opinion). They both worked hard and won some decent ball.
We showed some decent movement upfront and Graham Reilly added something when introduced both times. Good to see Micheal Newman back, but seems to lack confidence. Darragh Campion appears to be enjoying the opportunity of playing, and i hope he develops. Ben Brennan was his usual self, but headless at times. Needs to think of doing simple correct options more often. Overall decent, with improvement and greater decision making needed upfront as a unit.
Finally my one concern would be goalkeeper. No disrespect to either Barry Dardis or Marcus Brennan, and i felt they had a decent kickout strategy, i feel come more meaningful matches neither are good enough. We desperately need to find a goalkeeper.
Overall we are improving which is positive and this loss albeit on penalties is in the O'Byrne Cup on January, league and championship are much more important." I'll be honest, I haven't seen a alternative to colgan between the sticks. And that is who should be the number 1 for the year.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 13/01/2019 15:53:21
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If I was to be honest, I think Meath football is in a serious crisis, as regard keeping relative at the national level. We seem to be one very bad year away from Division 3 and my big fear is getting stuck there with finnicky Ulster teams and plucky sides who are perennially Div 3 standard. I think if we hit that standard in the short term its possible we'll stay there, and effectively we'd be finished, just like Offaly, Louth, Cavan etc who fell from the top in similar fashion in decades past and they've never, ever recovered to what they were. Its a depressing thought really but a realistic one. And to top it off theres a hell of a lot of people in Meath with a superiority complex to this day, who expect these poor lads to just go out and win because of the jersey on their back and what it used to represent. We seriously need to back this current team and management on their efforts and take a massive step back from talk of super 8s etc, the success of underage should start to convert to senior by 2021/2022 if the players are treated well, and by keeping a disciplined, tidy ship now and realistic short term goals, hopefully 5/6/7 players from the underage set-up can be ushered into the senior team, and perhaps a new team can be built on strong foundations. I believe this year is a chance for Meath to have a good season but Its so difficult to have expectation beyond taking it one game at a time. The next few years are absolutely vital for the future of the county at senior level.
Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 587 - 13/01/2019 16:16:51
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Replying To royaldunne: "I'll be honest, I haven't seen a alternative to colgan between the sticks. And that is who should be the number 1 for the year." The problem with Colgan is that he isn't number one with his club.
Marcus was brought in about 10 years too late while Barry is there for his potential with his kickouts.
UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 355 - 13/01/2019 16:59:40
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Replying To Young_gael: "If I was to be honest, I think Meath football is in a serious crisis, as regard keeping relative at the national level. We seem to be one very bad year away from Division 3 and my big fear is getting stuck there with finnicky Ulster teams and plucky sides who are perennially Div 3 standard. I think if we hit that standard in the short term its possible we'll stay there, and effectively we'd be finished, just like Offaly, Louth, Cavan etc who fell from the top in similar fashion in decades past and they've never, ever recovered to what they were. Its a depressing thought really but a realistic one. And to top it off theres a hell of a lot of people in Meath with a superiority complex to this day, who expect these poor lads to just go out and win because of the jersey on their back and what it used to represent. We seriously need to back this current team and management on their efforts and take a massive step back from talk of super 8s etc, the success of underage should start to convert to senior by 2021/2022 if the players are treated well, and by keeping a disciplined, tidy ship now and realistic short term goals, hopefully 5/6/7 players from the underage set-up can be ushered into the senior team, and perhaps a new team can be built on strong foundations. I believe this year is a chance for Meath to have a good season but Its so difficult to have expectation beyond taking it one game at a time. The next few years are absolutely vital for the future of the county at senior level." Wouldn't altogether disagree with that. However I don't think we are in danger this year of going down. I am not saying we will get to super 8s. However I do think we will be in the shake up for promotion, I feel the additional players have each added something, reasonable expectation would be we should have a 50/50 chance in all matches (playing Kildare at home puts it at 50/50) with the exception of donegal game away, which I think will be a defeat for us, (obviously hope I'm wrong) Fermanagh i wthink we will win, I think we will win v tipp, also think we will win away to Clare , that's 6 points (now obviously none of those games is a given and we have no right to expect to win) Armagh , cork and Kildare are very much 50/50. Again if we were to win 2 of those that puts us on 10 points and in with a shot of promotion.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 13/01/2019 17:25:14
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Replying To UsernameInvalid: "The problem with Colgan is that he isn't number one with his club.
Marcus was brought in about 10 years too late while Barry is there for his potential with his kickouts." When in the name of God, did Barry Dardis become a goalkeeper? Making a hero out of the opposition's goalkeeper by dropping easy ball on to his chest. Ah no point in talking about football any more. If this shit continues the youth of the county will be back playing pitch and toss at the crossroads, like they were before the GAA was set up. I honestly don't know where we are going. Trying so hard but then doing absolute no nos as if it doesn't matter. Even good 10 year olds know that the ball must not drop short. Penalties? It seemed to me that nobody knew who was to take them. Was any preparation done in this regard?
MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1062 - 13/01/2019 17:45:00
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Replying To royaldunne: "Wouldn't altogether disagree with that. However I don't think we are in danger this year of going down. I am not saying we will get to super 8s. However I do think we will be in the shake up for promotion, I feel the additional players have each added something, reasonable expectation would be we should have a 50/50 chance in all matches (playing Kildare at home puts it at 50/50) with the exception of donegal game away, which I think will be a defeat for us, (obviously hope I'm wrong) Fermanagh i wthink we will win, I think we will win v tipp, also think we will win away to Clare , that's 6 points (now obviously none of those games is a given and we have no right to expect to win) Armagh , cork and Kildare are very much 50/50. Again if we were to win 2 of those that puts us on 10 points and in with a shot of promotion." I agree, on paper there are a lot of 50/50 games. Which is both a good and bad thing. I dont see any evidence whatsoever of why we arent vulnerable to relegation though as you said. I think Tipp is a good, solid opener. Donegal away will be very hard. Kildare at home is still a Kildare advantage imo. Clare in Ennis will be tough, Fermanagh have a good history against Meath, likewise Armagh but neither are great shakes atm. Cork are like us, they could sink or swim and its very hard to know which Cork will turn up, and what type of mindset they'll have. Id say that winning 4/5 games is very respectable against this opposition and would be a good acheivement for Meath as it stands.
Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 587 - 13/01/2019 18:10:33
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Replying To MillerX: "When in the name of God, did Barry Dardis become a goalkeeper? Making a hero out of the opposition's goalkeeper by dropping easy ball on to his chest. Ah no point in talking about football any more. If this shit continues the youth of the county will be back playing pitch and toss at the crossroads, like they were before the GAA was set up. I honestly don't know where we are going. Trying so hard but then doing absolute no nos as if it doesn't matter. Even good 10 year olds know that the ball must not drop short. Penalties? It seemed to me that nobody knew who was to take them. Was any preparation done in this regard?" Well since the ones that took them for us take penalties for their clubs for the most part what else can they do? The only exception who hasn't taken penalty in club regularly (senior level) would have been Conlon if he got his chance, only surprise for me was Brennan not been in line up as he is a excellent peno taker.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 13/01/2019 18:29:47
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Replying To Young_gael: "I agree, on paper there are a lot of 50/50 games. Which is both a good and bad thing. I dont see any evidence whatsoever of why we arent vulnerable to relegation though as you said. I think Tipp is a good, solid opener. Donegal away will be very hard. Kildare at home is still a Kildare advantage imo. Clare in Ennis will be tough, Fermanagh have a good history against Meath, likewise Armagh but neither are great shakes atm. Cork are like us, they could sink or swim and its very hard to know which Cork will turn up, and what type of mindset they'll have. Id say that winning 4/5 games is very respectable against this opposition and would be a good acheivement for Meath as it stands." I think 5 wins will put us near promotion. Hopefully that's how it works out. But as we all know we could beat both donegal and Kildare and lose the other 5. That is something that HAS to change this year. And I'm optimistic that it will.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 13/01/2019 18:50:25
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Replying To royaldunne: "Well since the ones that took them for us take penalties for their clubs for the most part what else can they do? The only exception who hasn't taken penalty in club regularly (senior level) would have been Conlon if he got his chance, only surprise for me was Brennan not been in line up as he is a excellent peno taker." Listen, we've a bunch of chancers taking penalties, hit and hope is the same as chancing your arm. I fremember Tony Brennan scoring a goal in Croke Park from. 14 yard free v Longford with 7 or 8 on the goal line. Would he miss a penalty no b.....y way, why? because he practiced, end of. And the ball at that time was a ton weight.
MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1062 - 13/01/2019 22:59:28
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Replying To gardentree: "Meath had about 8 lads that will start in the championship in the summer playing last night. The dubs had about 2 that might make the the training panel for the summer. Lets face it Meath are a not at the races in regard to reaching the super 8s. We would not make a super 12s . Lets face it we are going nowhere fast" Are you serious......
Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1467 - 14/01/2019 10:19:59
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Replying To gardentree: "Meath had about 8 lads that will start in the championship in the summer playing last night. The dubs had about 2 that might make the the training panel for the summer. Lets face it Meath are a not at the races in regard to reaching the super 8s. We would not make a super 12s . Lets face it we are going nowhere fast" +1
We'll be doing well to maintain our place in Division 2. The goalkeeper situation has worsened. The management have a made a fool of Barry Dardis. Dardis was arguably the best forward on display in last year's club championship. What the hell are they playing at? Brennan has been one of the top goalies in the club scene for a long time now but he hasn't the height to be an inter county goalie.
ISupposeSoSheehan (Meath) - Posts: 86 - 14/01/2019 11:49:53
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I think Meath People believe we are a lot better than we actually are. The lads are trying their best but staying in Division 2 should be the aim. First game is huge.
overthehill72 (Meath) - Posts: 334 - 14/01/2019 13:21:39
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Replying To overthehill72: "I think Meath People believe we are a lot better than we actually are. The lads are trying their best but staying in Division 2 should be the aim. First game is huge." Staying in Div 2 is going to be a hug battle, I don't think that we have the players to keep us in Div 2. The management are doing some very strange things , playing Dardis in goals is just plain stupid and they are making a complete joke out of the young lad. Is the Dun/Ash lad on the panel ?
gardentree (Meath) - Posts: 194 - 14/01/2019 15:41:32
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