Replying To realdub:  "I think Westmeath or Laois will give Meath a battle and a half, nothing guaranteed there!"

Replying To realdub:  "In fairness you're probably right about playing Meath in Navan. Dublin would still win but not by a cricket score. I'm not denying that. The great Kerry team wouldn't have hammered teams in finals and semis if those games were not in Croke park either, they were used to it, just like we are.
Whatever about beating Dublin, it'll be a good few years before Meath land the big one, maybe many years. Because when we bite the dust, there's a good few teams waiting in the wings to battle it out, that's the level Meath need to shoot for, they're the teams they will be battling with in a couple of years time."

Replying To realdub:  "Look I'm not putting down Meath, they have progressed and improved, and I welcome that. But to say there's not a lot between them and Kerry is a bit much.
We talk about Mayo having been our closest rivals over the decade, and they were, but it's a little unfair on Kerry when they pushed us to our limits in all our championship meetings over the last 8 years or so, bar the 2015 final and even that could have been snatched with the bounce of a ball.
If Kerry were to play Meath next Sunday in the championship, the kingdom would win by a country mile!"

Replying To realdub:  "Look I'm not putting down Meath, they have progressed and improved, and I welcome that. But to say there's not a lot between them and Kerry is a bit much.
We talk about Mayo having been our closest rivals over the decade, and they were, but it's a little unfair on Kerry when they pushed us to our limits in all our championship meetings over the last 8 years or so, bar the 2015 final and even that could have been snatched with the bounce of a ball.
If Kerry were to play Meath next Sunday in the championship, the kingdom would win by a country mile!"

Replying To Furlong1949:  "Firstly I wouldn't judge Meath this year.Judge Meath next year at end of 2020 season. See how they do in divsion 1 next year. It will be hard for Meath to peak twice in this year. There are so many examples of teams having good league then a poor championship. From Loais in 1986 winning the league and then losing to Wicklow in first round. And in this decade Cork kildare Derry Roscommon all had great leagues and had poor championship in the same years. So the odds on Meath having a good championship are low. Personally I think we will get leinster final and perform well v Dublin. But we r looking after at qualifier game after v Donegal ot Tyrone possibly. Both teams again will find it hard to beat Meath and game will be decided in injury time but Donegal and Tyrone wud have to be favourites to win. Until Meath beat a Tyrone or Donegal Meath have to be underdog in those games.

( Just regards Meath v Dublin. Remeber if Meath get to leinster final and dont play semi final in Croker. Meath would be a team who have never won a match in Croke Park going up against Dublin team that has probaly won up to 100 league and championship matchs in Croke Park. A Dublin team that have won 4 All Irelands in a row in Croke Park, A Dublin team that have won 8 leinster in a row in Croke Park and Meath would have no wins in Croker. Remeber the obstacles Meath face if they reach the Leinster final. Basically they wud be playing possibly greatest team ever. So judging Meath on the leinster final performance this year. Seems unfair and will not tell us how good Meath are. See how Meath do if they play Dublin in Navan and how they do if play Dublin in next years championship. Then we will have a truer and proper idea of Meaths ability and worth. )

Secondly it looks possible we will have Meath v Westmeath semi final. That will be 50 50 game in many ways. Westmeath r flying, the only county to win two trophies this spring. Westmeath in the last 20 years always throw the kitchen sink at Meath in the championship. So that is tough game for Meath. But I would be very hopeful Meath will.win. But a loss and run through back door could do this Meath a world of good. In last few years we have been very unlucky in that in our first game in the backdoor has been against Tyrone in 2013 2015 2018 and Donegal in 2017. If we aviod a top team in our first game in backdoor we could on a good run in the backdoor. That cud be our best bet to get super 8.

Thirdly over and over again people on this forum have got it completely wrong about Meath over and over again and allot of people in gaa world have also. Meath are always downgraded and underated even when we won All Irelands. On this forum there was comments before Tyrone game last year , Tyrone wud beat Meath by 10 points or more. We all know how for a point in 7th min of injury time, Tyrone would have been knocked out of championship. Before Donegal game in div 2 final there was comments on this forum that Meath would lose by 10 points. And start of the league 99% people on this forum and gaa world gave Meath no chance of promotion. And many people predicted Meath would get relegated .

It was pretty obvious that if u examined closely that Meath wud put it up Tyrone and Donegal and before the league there was obvious signs Meath would be strong contenders for promotion. I am a bogman from the backwoods of Meath but for me it was pretty obvious Meath would improve this year. I said three years ago Meath wud improve in McEntees third year on this forum. I said last year on this forum we would improve this year and I predicted at the start of the league we wud get promoted on this forum. I gave a number of reasons. why. It wasnt some sort of amazing hindsight to predict that. It was very obvious that Meath wud improve this year.

Regards next year everyone seems to have completely ruled out Meath will survive in div 1. For me I would be very surprised if Meath dont survive in div 1 next year . That is not blind faith. If Meath went up to div 1 anytime in last 7 years to divsion 1, Meath wud be definitely relegated. Next year Meath are promoted at just the right time in this teams development. Meath players peaking , first wave of new talent from best talent Meath have produced since 90s , McEntees fourth year in charge , Navan is one toughest places to win in the country are all reasons why I believe Meath will survive in div 1.

Also the real concrete evidence that Meath would survive, Meath have played div 1 top 8 teams have played them 5 times v division 1 teams in last two years. This is a good way of predicting how Meath will do in divsion 1. If Meath lost and were comfortably beaten in all game v division 1 opposition then people wud have grounds to say Meath will not survive. Why cannot people see the obvious. Meath played 5 times v division 1 in last 2 years and every singles one of those games Meath played really well.and in every single one of those games v division 1 teams Meath were ahead or level in injury time v top teams in country. Surely Meaths excellent performances v Donegal three times Tyrone Roscommon and Galway are signs that Meath will be competitive v div 1 opposition.

People have referenced Cavan Roscommon and kildare failing to stay in div 1 ( Roscommon did stay for two years in a row ). But people are not mentioning that one county stayed in div 1. Galway were promoted to div 1 and stayed. And the county that has similar traits to Galway is Meath.

Both have same sort of sucess , both traditionaly play kicking game , both were the only counties to go toe to toe with kerry Dublin and Cork for 80 years or so and both have no inferior complex and would not be in awe of Dublins and kerrys. Galway feel like they belong in div 1. And yes Meath do feel like they belong in divsion 1. After kerry and Dublin only Meath have spent longer in div 1.

Look at the confidence of some lads here on this forum regards Meath. There. is an inner confidence , cockiness even a touch of arrogance to Meath football. When we are weak this a weakness. We think we r better then say Westmeath and longford . We r not and they beat us in 2015 and 2018. But when we r strong this is strenght. We have a great tradiation v top teams we have a great record v the top teams. This gives Meath and Galway an inner belief v the top teams. Look at Meath performances v Donegal this year and there performances v Tyrone last and results v Roscommon and Galway in the last two years. Are they not signs Meath will be competitive. But people ignore these performances. Meath lost very narrowly to Donegal and Tyrone and drew with Roscommon and defeated Galway. These are all good evidence to suggest Meath will do better then people think or want or need to do.

But I believe Meath will be stronger next year with players like J McEntee and Sullivan peaking , introduction of new talent eg Costello Dunshaughlin, return of players eg lenihan, Jones, Forde , Kennelly and kane. And Meaths record in Navan. Its pretty obvious there is a good chance Meath will do better then people think. Meath like Galway have the tradition and mentality to survive div 1. Look at the below how they are following each others path.

Both Meath and Galway declined after 2001 final. Both Meath and Galway saw their rivals prosper eg Mayo and Dublin
Galway under Walsh were very poor in his first seasons and had bad results
Meath under McEntee were very poor in his first two seasons and had bad results.
Galway under Walsh improved and got promoted in his third year
Meath under McEntee improved and got promoted in his 3rd year.
Galway under Walsh survived in div 1 in his 4th year
Meath under McEntee, will he survive in div 1 in his 4th year.

I believe if u really look closely put away any Meath bias and there allot of supporters here who need and want Meath to reamin down. But if you look at the evidence Meath are getting promoted just at the right time . And in terms stage of team development, returning players , new talent, managers 4th year , Meath inner belief and cockiness , Meath tradition , and Meaths performances v division 1 teams like Donegal in three games v Donegal and in excellent Meath performances v div 1 teams like Galway and Roscommon in last two years. There is evidence to suggest Meath will survive next year. The evidence they woulsnt ie usually people saying Cavan Roscommon and kildare failed to stay div 1 . My response to that is , what about Galway. Are this idea are crap team going nowhere .

If someone says that they havent a clue. Because they haven't seen Meath play with exception of 2 final. Since longford game Meath have changed players, changed coachs and changed tactics. Meath are a changed team. Since Tyrone game Meath have introduced 6 new players to the first 15. This is a very young team only months together. So how can u rate them when u didnt see the heroric performance v Tyrone , excellent first half v Donegal, the never say die spirit v kildare in second half , 65 mins of top class football by Meath v Donegal in Ballybofey and excellent performance v Armagh. Meath have improved. And all the signs in the next decade Meath will be much stronger then in this decade. The signs are there but its up you to ignore the bloody obvious or maybe ur Meath bias doesn't let u see the obvious. Just like when people said Tyrone would hammer Meath last year and people were predicting Meath would be relegated and had no chance of promotion this year. Again people are saying Meath wouldnt survive in divsion 1. I think quite few people will be surprised by Meaths performance in div 1 next year. But the truth is u shouldnt be surprised . The signs are there already that Meath can survive in div 1. Its up to u if u to choose to ignore them or recognise them."

Replying To realdub:  "Look I'm not putting down Meath, they have progressed and improved, and I welcome that. But to say there's not a lot between them and Kerry is a bit much.
We talk about Mayo having been our closest rivals over the decade, and they were, but it's a little unfair on Kerry when they pushed us to our limits in all our championship meetings over the last 8 years or so, bar the 2015 final and even that could have been snatched with the bounce of a ball.
If Kerry were to play Meath next Sunday in the championship, the kingdom would win by a country mile!"

Replying To Furlong1949:  "Firstly I wouldn't judge Meath this year.Judge Meath next year at end of 2020 season. See how they do in divsion 1 next year. It will be hard for Meath to peak twice in this year. There are so many examples of teams having good league then a poor championship. From Loais in 1986 winning the league and then losing to Wicklow in first round. And in this decade Cork kildare Derry Roscommon all had great leagues and had poor championship in the same years. So the odds on Meath having a good championship are low. Personally I think we will get leinster final and perform well v Dublin. But we r looking after at qualifier game after v Donegal ot Tyrone possibly. Both teams again will find it hard to beat Meath and game will be decided in injury time but Donegal and Tyrone wud have to be favourites to win. Until Meath beat a Tyrone or Donegal Meath have to be underdog in those games.

( Just regards Meath v Dublin. Remeber if Meath get to leinster final and dont play semi final in Croker. Meath would be a team who have never won a match in Croke Park going up against Dublin team that has probaly won up to 100 league and championship matchs in Croke Park. A Dublin team that have won 4 All Irelands in a row in Croke Park, A Dublin team that have won 8 leinster in a row in Croke Park and Meath would have no wins in Croker. Remeber the obstacles Meath face if they reach the Leinster final. Basically they wud be playing possibly greatest team ever. So judging Meath on the leinster final performance this year. Seems unfair and will not tell us how good Meath are. See how Meath do if they play Dublin in Navan and how they do if play Dublin in next years championship. Then we will have a truer and proper idea of Meaths ability and worth. )

Secondly it looks possible we will have Meath v Westmeath semi final. That will be 50 50 game in many ways. Westmeath r flying, the only county to win two trophies this spring. Westmeath in the last 20 years always throw the kitchen sink at Meath in the championship. So that is tough game for Meath. But I would be very hopeful Meath will.win. But a loss and run through back door could do this Meath a world of good. In last few years we have been very unlucky in that in our first game in the backdoor has been against Tyrone in 2013 2015 2018 and Donegal in 2017. If we aviod a top team in our first game in backdoor we could on a good run in the backdoor. That cud be our best bet to get super 8.

Thirdly over and over again people on this forum have got it completely wrong about Meath over and over again and allot of people in gaa world have also. Meath are always downgraded and underated even when we won All Irelands. On this forum there was comments before Tyrone game last year , Tyrone wud beat Meath by 10 points or more. We all know how for a point in 7th min of injury time, Tyrone would have been knocked out of championship. Before Donegal game in div 2 final there was comments on this forum that Meath would lose by 10 points. And start of the league 99% people on this forum and gaa world gave Meath no chance of promotion. And many people predicted Meath would get relegated .

It was pretty obvious that if u examined closely that Meath wud put it up Tyrone and Donegal and before the league there was obvious signs Meath would be strong contenders for promotion. I am a bogman from the backwoods of Meath but for me it was pretty obvious Meath would improve this year. I said three years ago Meath wud improve in McEntees third year on this forum. I said last year on this forum we would improve this year and I predicted at the start of the league we wud get promoted on this forum. I gave a number of reasons. why. It wasnt some sort of amazing hindsight to predict that. It was very obvious that Meath wud improve this year.

Regards next year everyone seems to have completely ruled out Meath will survive in div 1. For me I would be very surprised if Meath dont survive in div 1 next year . That is not blind faith. If Meath went up to div 1 anytime in last 7 years to divsion 1, Meath wud be definitely relegated. Next year Meath are promoted at just the right time in this teams development. Meath players peaking , first wave of new talent from best talent Meath have produced since 90s , McEntees fourth year in charge , Navan is one toughest places to win in the country are all reasons why I believe Meath will survive in div 1.

Also the real concrete evidence that Meath would survive, Meath have played div 1 top 8 teams have played them 5 times v division 1 teams in last two years. This is a good way of predicting how Meath will do in divsion 1. If Meath lost and were comfortably beaten in all game v division 1 opposition then people wud have grounds to say Meath will not survive. Why cannot people see the obvious. Meath played 5 times v division 1 in last 2 years and every singles one of those games Meath played really well.and in every single one of those games v division 1 teams Meath were ahead or level in injury time v top teams in country. Surely Meaths excellent performances v Donegal three times Tyrone Roscommon and Galway are signs that Meath will be competitive v div 1 opposition.

People have referenced Cavan Roscommon and kildare failing to stay in div 1 ( Roscommon did stay for two years in a row ). But people are not mentioning that one county stayed in div 1. Galway were promoted to div 1 and stayed. And the county that has similar traits to Galway is Meath.

Both have same sort of sucess , both traditionaly play kicking game , both were the only counties to go toe to toe with kerry Dublin and Cork for 80 years or so and both have no inferior complex and would not be in awe of Dublins and kerrys. Galway feel like they belong in div 1. And yes Meath do feel like they belong in divsion 1. After kerry and Dublin only Meath have spent longer in div 1.

Look at the confidence of some lads here on this forum regards Meath. There. is an inner confidence , cockiness even a touch of arrogance to Meath football. When we are weak this a weakness. We think we r better then say Westmeath and longford . We r not and they beat us in 2015 and 2018. But when we r strong this is strenght. We have a great tradiation v top teams we have a great record v the top teams. This gives Meath and Galway an inner belief v the top teams. Look at Meath performances v Donegal this year and there performances v Tyrone last and results v Roscommon and Galway in the last two years. Are they not signs Meath will be competitive. But people ignore these performances. Meath lost very narrowly to Donegal and Tyrone and drew with Roscommon and defeated Galway. These are all good evidence to suggest Meath will do better then people think or want or need to do.

But I believe Meath will be stronger next year with players like J McEntee and Sullivan peaking , introduction of new talent eg Costello Dunshaughlin, return of players eg lenihan, Jones, Forde , Kennelly and kane. And Meaths record in Navan. Its pretty obvious there is a good chance Meath will do better then people think. Meath like Galway have the tradition and mentality to survive div 1. Look at the below how they are following each others path.

Both Meath and Galway declined after 2001 final. Both Meath and Galway saw their rivals prosper eg Mayo and Dublin
Galway under Walsh were very poor in his first seasons and had bad results
Meath under McEntee were very poor in his first two seasons and had bad results.
Galway under Walsh improved and got promoted in his third year
Meath under McEntee improved and got promoted in his 3rd year.
Galway under Walsh survived in div 1 in his 4th year
Meath under McEntee, will he survive in div 1 in his 4th year.

I believe if u really look closely put away any Meath bias and there allot of supporters here who need and want Meath to reamin down. But if you look at the evidence Meath are getting promoted just at the right time . And in terms stage of team development, returning players , new talent, managers 4th year , Meath inner belief and cockiness , Meath tradition , and Meaths performances v division 1 teams like Donegal in three games v Donegal and in excellent Meath performances v div 1 teams like Galway and Roscommon in last two years. There is evidence to suggest Meath will survive next year. The evidence they woulsnt ie usually people saying Cavan Roscommon and kildare failed to stay div 1 . My response to that is , what about Galway. Are this idea are crap team going nowhere .

If someone says that they havent a clue. Because they haven't seen Meath play with exception of 2 final. Since longford game Meath have changed players, changed coachs and changed tactics. Meath are a changed team. Since Tyrone game Meath have introduced 6 new players to the first 15. This is a very young team only months together. So how can u rate them when u didnt see the heroric performance v Tyrone , excellent first half v Donegal, the never say die spirit v kildare in second half , 65 mins of top class football by Meath v Donegal in Ballybofey and excellent performance v Armagh. Meath have improved. And all the signs in the next decade Meath will be much stronger then in this decade. The signs are there but its up you to ignore the bloody obvious or maybe ur Meath bias doesn't let u see the obvious. Just like when people said Tyrone would hammer Meath last year and people were predicting Meath would be relegated and had no chance of promotion this year. Again people are saying Meath wouldnt survive in divsion 1. I think quite few people will be surprised by Meaths performance in div 1 next year. But the truth is u shouldnt be surprised . The signs are there already that Meath can survive in div 1. Its up to u if u to choose to ignore them or recognise them."

Replying To royaldunne:  "All messing aside. I honestly don't think so, not saying they wouldn't win, but they wouldn't beat us by a country mile. I don't think Dublin would either tbh. Don't genuinely think we would beat either, but I think and actually it's backed up by performances that we are not as far away as some would think.
Meath despite results over past 2 years were growing, we had some excellent individual players that would walk onto any team in country , but we just couldn't get them to work with cohesiveness, that was mcentee challenge, in year one it was same as previous year , last year it was a slight bit of arrogance that cost us. Mcentee imo this is the first year the team is actually working as a unit and you can see his stamp and indeed nallys stamp all over the team they play with belief in themselves and the system, all out attack and defend to death when needed. Yes they tired v donegal, but that's the first time that has happened , so I'm willing to give them a pass on that, I actually would be astonished if they didn't remain in div 1 next year. The super 8s is tricky depending on where we enter , there is some who think that loosing a semi final to wmeath or whoever would be better than loosing a final to Dublin then facing a resurgent team in last round on a roll probably 6 days later. Particularly as it would mean we have lost two chances of silverware and then have to regroup and go again, very hard to do at seasons end. However I think the goal now is super 8s so despite all that I'd be confident of reaching them."

Replying To TheUsername:  "Jeepers there might be life in the Leinster Championship yet with all this passion. Fair play."

Replying To catch22:  "Make no mistake about it Meath have improved. Improved on being a poor side who were a shambles for several years now. That's improvement if you like but as regards winning all Ireland's they are a long long way from even competing in a final. Fellas talking about them being downgraded on this site mustn't be used to reading about other counties who are far better placed over the past 20 years. Talking about how people said they'd be hammered by 10 points by Tyrone and sure so what look at Kildare beating Mayo and after a similar scenario and what of it. Jays , will you go way outa that with your essay of self indulgent horse manure. Meath are deserving contenders for a Leinster final and will do well to stay in Division 1 nothing more. Kerry will be the next major team on the block and even now would easily beat Meath wherever it was played."

Replying To catch22:  "Make no mistake about it Meath have improved. Improved on being a poor side who were a shambles for several years now. That's improvement if you like but as regards winning all Ireland's they are a long long way from even competing in a final. Fellas talking about them being downgraded on this site mustn't be used to reading about other counties who are far better placed over the past 20 years. Talking about how people said they'd be hammered by 10 points by Tyrone and sure so what look at Kildare beating Mayo and after a similar scenario and what of it. Jays , will you go way outa that with your essay of self indulgent horse manure. Meath are deserving contenders for a Leinster final and will do well to stay in Division 1 nothing more. Kerry will be the next major team on the block and even now would easily beat Meath wherever it was played."

Replying To Htaem:  "I'm looking forward to this year's Leinster championship, be interesting to see how it pans out.

Focusing on ourselves, no disrespect but I expect to beat Offaly and Carlow, if we do then we'll have a tough semi against either Laois or Westmeath. We really should be getting to a Leinster final given our performances this year but both Laois & Westmeath gained promotion themselves and won't fear Meath one bit.

If we get to the Leinster final, then it's going to be against Dublin (unless Kildare pull off something special) and I'd expect us to beat them to be honest. They're a little bit cocky, little bit soft, I think the blue wave has finally broken and it's rolling back, no better team than the Royals to put them backnin their place, enjoy the summer lads ;-)"

Replying To mickcunningham:  "i think westmeath will beat laois and will not fear meath in a potential semi final . we have done all that was asked so far and a crack at meath would be worth waiting for . so lets see what happens"

Replying To Htaem:  "I'm looking forward to this year's Leinster championship, be interesting to see how it pans out.

Focusing on ourselves, no disrespect but I expect to beat Offaly and Carlow, if we do then we'll have a tough semi against either Laois or Westmeath. We really should be getting to a Leinster final given our performances this year but both Laois & Westmeath gained promotion themselves and won't fear Meath one bit.

If we get to the Leinster final, then it's going to be against Dublin (unless Kildare pull off something special) and I'd expect us to beat them to be honest. They're a little bit cocky, little bit soft, I think the blue wave has finally broken and it's rolling back, no better team than the Royals to put them backnin their place, enjoy the summer lads ;-)"