royaldunne
County: Meath
Posts: 5332

1540378 Sam I think Meath performance yesterday would suggest that we might get near Donegal no matter what form their in. Meath were sublime at time and very bad at other times particularly defense. However if Donegal try the attack game v Meath we will win I feel. 3-18 scored 16 wides countless goal opportunities missed 14 different scorers and galway didn't play that bad. If we get the whole thing right we will be hard to stop , Donegal will have to be at their very best.

Meath certainly look the part, and I've backed them to make waves in championship this year ( To the dismay of many Dublin and Kildare fans who im friends with ). Games against Louth and Laois could be slippery games for Meath though, worth noting this is National League and not championship, and slip ups happen. Monaghan and Down too will look to hurt Meath.

I would expect very close games between Donegal, Meath, Monaghan, Down and Galway. While Donegal are going for promotion, they are also bleeding in both new players and returning players. This in itself could leave Donegal vunerable against the stronger sides in Division 2 like Meath or Monaghan.
But in saying that, Donegal are vastly experienced, with many of their players that are under 24/25 years of age already holding Div 2 league medals, 2 x Ulster medal's, 1 x All Ireland medal. That in itself brings a certain level of composure, which is an asset.

Monaghan, Armagh, Louth and Down are neighbours and rivals, which will ensure these game will all have a competitive derby nature to them. We seen 2 x drawn games yesterday, and I expect all 4 sides to drop points to each other in hotly contested games.
For that reason, I would say Down and Monaghan could narrowly miss out on promotion.

This is a difficult division, and there are so many games that Donegal, Meath, Monaghan, Down and Galway could slip up in. Galway are probably in a very strong position for simply have no derby games or grudge games this year. Which could see them pick up 10-12 points quietly.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 03/02/2014 10:56:19    1540419

Gerrymc would agree with you. There will be slip ups from everyone. And many of us in Meath fear what could happen in any match, the gun ho all out attack that we seen yesterday and that I have no doubt will continue will get you caught out by someone. Honestly at times the Meath defending was kamikaze. with most of the players venturing up field even p O'Rourke brought ball up:) . We were left very open when ball got turned over, Meath have wholeheartedly embraced the all out attack with savage pace philosophy, but there not as cute at the defending as dubs are, now if they get that sorted with time ,,, well then anything is possible and I do mean anything!!!!!
But to get to that there will be set backs and perhaps the odd big set back. But we all must within mMeath get behind this tactic, we were way to late adapting to the blanket defense, we are now at the forefront of the pace and attack game, if we perfect it then we may be at the top table sooner than many think . While the scoreline against us was big 3-18 16 wides 6 balls dropped, 2 off post and it really becomes evident what could happen if they get it all right and tighten up at the back. 3-18 and only converting 50 % . This is going to be a rollercoaster year and the fans I think will buy into it .

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/02/2014 12:33:46    1540482

kikfada
County: Louth
Posts: 1209

1502642 last time WEE played them in Division 2 WEE hammered them in the 2006 Final... bring them on

You won by 3 points ater a replay. Stop lying please.

And as an aside the following year Donegal went unbeaten and won the league.

Samsforthehills (Donegal) - Posts: 1072 - 03/02/2014 13:04:48    1540531

Gary mc82
Very good post about the black card and I too am of the same opinion about it helping Donegal Over the last number of years players making a run out of defence had their run stopped and a lot of the time got knocked to the ground and I'm talking about all teams. So if this tactic of interrupting a players run is going to be punished by a black card fair enough. Down the years Donegal always played the short passing running game but it did not win us much until JMcG changed things around. I think JMcG will use this black card system to his and the teams advantage We will have to be very fit to play the running game but we have the players to do it Also looking forward to see Hugh McFadden and Dara O' Connor making the step up to senior county football. Both were minors last year.
As regards Meath v Donegal , I don't think Meath will score 3-18. I'd say about 10 to11 points I still fancy Donegal to win. As regards D v Galway , if The Galway backs don't tighten up then M Murphy and C McFadden will destroy them But you never know , Donegal could struggle next Sunday. Finally if Donegal harbour any thoughts about winning the All Ireland we have to at least get promoted to Div1 I still think with all the experienced players we have, and with all we have been through this last couple of years that we should be in a very good position to get promoted. Very few teams in Div 2 at present would beat Tyrone in the championship
, never mind Kerry,Cork orMayo. Donegal have done that over the last 18months and I will be very disappointed if we don't get promoted. The race is on for the runner up spot

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 03/02/2014 13:04:52    1540532

Sam if your banking on this Meath team only scoring 10/11 points then I think your onto a loser. 3-18 ALL from play 16 wides . 14 players scored from play including all 3 subs, McFadden and Murphy would need to be in top form to combat that. Counting gk only 4 Meath players didn't score from play. If you are to beat Meath you need to reproduce the score line from yesterday. Meath will score 16/18 points. Its either park the bus ala 11 or out score us which is highly possible , but Meath will score plenty.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/02/2014 13:31:49    1540583

The games in Ballybofey will have a big bearing on who goes where in Div 2 in my opinion Donegal will beat both Meath and Monaghan and with a good result in Galway next weekend I think we will be well on our way to Div 1 Donegal don't loose many games in Ballybofey
As for royal dun Murphy or McFadden won't have any say how much Meath scores --that's up to the Mcgees, Mcloone Mcglynn and CO , but don't forget your back line won't want to be as genorous as they were against Galway Otherwise M Murphy and Co will have a field day I think people are overrating Galway especially after their display against Cork last year. I think Galway have a lot of work to do and so do Meath thinking about Meath v Donegal and I can't see a free scoring game. Still say Meath won't get more than 10/11points many even less. You will be lucky if 4/5 Meath players score, I can't see 9/10 Meathmen scoring Donegal still a Div one team albeit playing in Div two Remember what JIM said when we were relegated to Div two------- It would be easier to rebuild a team in Div two or something to that effect So it's not Croke park to play the Dubs but to the LIONS den in Ballybofey that Meath are going and Donegal do not fear you

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 03/02/2014 14:23:37    1540639

Sam. By the time Meath play Donegal k Reilly won't be as rusty same applies to Menton and harnan. Also I see no team apart from Dublin been able to cope with O'Sullivan, Wallace and g Reilly pace, honestly they will rip you apart, Gillespie will be back by then and O'Rourke will be more match fit too. I am really looking forward to the Donegal game, I really can't see Donegal getting within 4/5 points of Meath. I'm a lot more worried about next week where we are still only getting up to speed and Monaghan might be a step too far but by Donegal I feel we will win with bit to spare. Now maybe not and perhaps I'm wrong. But to put up that score yesterday and come out saying we have plenty to work on is some achievement. Meath will only get better

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/02/2014 15:05:22    1540687

"I am really looking forward to the Donegal game, I really can't see Donegal getting within 4/5 points of Meath."

Must remember this one.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 03/02/2014 15:43:40    1540730

. You will be lucky if 4/5 Meath players score, I can't see 9/10 Meathmen scoring Donegal still a Div one team albeit playing in Div two Remember what JIM said when we were relegated to Div two------- It would be easier to rebuild a team in Div two or something to that effect So it's not Croke park to play the Dubs but to the LIONS den in Ballybofey that Meath are going and Donegal do not fear you

Donegal still a Division 1 team albeit playing in Division 2, what manner of tripe is that. Donegal are in Division 2 because they were not good enough to stay in Division 1 last year and that form followed into the Championship culminating with the horror show in Croke Park against Mayo so don't be coming along with this nonsense that Donegal are still a Division 1 team, ye may well beat Meath in Ballybofey and ye may well get promoted but don't be making yourselves out to be so superior that all is a foregone conclusion, because if is not. I don't expect Donegal to fear us at all just as Meath won't fear Donegal or anyone else it will be down to football and if Meath can fine tune the efforts of yesterday the we might just give Donegal a game of it

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 03/02/2014 16:14:21    1540749

I too wouldn't be that worried about donegal. Their team man for man won't be able to match meaths speed. Mcfadden and murphy will be kept very quite and apart from them two the rest will not be able to cope with this new meath style. Very disapointed if we don't beat them. I'd rate both down and monaghan as tougher games this league than donegal.

foreverroyal (Meath) - Posts: 349 - 03/02/2014 16:18:34    1540754

Royal
It's always good to see a man backing his team to the hilt & it sounds as if Meath are on the up but Donegal are not Galway.
To score 3-18 is great but to miss the same amount again is not good enough & if Galway really coughed up that many chances then they are brutal & will go down. If Meath's defending is "kamikaze" as you describe it then you will suffer as Donegal have good forwards & whatever else you may say about them their defence is not "kamikaze".
I'm really looking forward to the Meath game & wouldn't like to call it but a team scoring 2-19 in their first game playing a team that scored 3-18 should be a cracker.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 03/02/2014 16:19:22    1540755

I'd like to see Meath push on for the sake on the Leinster champ if nothing else, it's a bit of a joke these days. Needs to be more competitive.

I think Meath will be humbled when they face Donegal tbh. Donegal are more experienced and seem to have a fit panel again, definitely dark horses this season.

CaisleanCnucha (Dublin) - Posts: 1379 - 03/02/2014 16:21:35    1540759

Caislean
I agree 100% about a Meath resurgence being good for football in Leinster. If Meath & Kildare can up their games significantly then the Leinster championship will be worth watching.
As it is Munster is a two horse race & Connacht a one horse effort with only Ulster having a championship worthy of the name with five teams fancying their chances of winning.

As for Meath being "humbled" by Donegal, I doubt it. Yes Donegal are getting back to their 2012 form but they have a ways to go yet & it should be a good game with home advantage counting for a lot.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 03/02/2014 16:36:47    1540774

Muck in fairness its the 3-18 plus the wasting that is the optimism. Fine tune the defense and I really think we will take some beating. And yes Galway's defense may not have been that great but even when they were defending well we still carved through them. Unless you play 15 behind the ball Meath will be hard to stop. Man for man the speed is unreal. Honestly I've never seen the likes of it. And if it comes down to a shootout I expect Meath to prevail. But only time will tell I guess.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/02/2014 16:40:19    1540778

I really want to see Meath, Kildare and even Wexford and Westmeath pushing on. The Leinster champ has been a walk in the park for us and its bad for the game.

Maybe not now Muck, but if it came down to it in a crunch championship match I'd have money on Donegal every day of the week. Too much experience and guile on the big days, compared to Meaths youthful (but very talented) team. I reckon Donegal will go to a more conserved style this season and if they can keep their key players around unlike last season they'll be back near the top.

CaisleanCnucha (Dublin) - Posts: 1379 - 03/02/2014 16:52:42    1540789

Interesting comments about meath v donegal. I think that it will be quite close, but it is not the end of the world if we lose to meath in ballybofey. I think it is a do or die year for meath in terms of delivering something, and judging on the OByrne cup final, they are relying on goals to win games. Wont get many goal chances against the top teams.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 03/02/2014 17:12:09    1540801

Donegalman
County: All
Posts: 1080

1540801
Interesting comments about meath v donegal. I think that it will be quite close, but it is not the end of the world if we lose to meath in ballybofey. I think it is a do or die year for meath in terms of delivering something, and judging on the OByrne cup final, they are relying on goals to win games. Wont get many goal chances against the top teams.

Ah it's far from a do or die year for Meath, we have an exceptionally young panel at the minute saved for one or two individuals, we are still looking long term towards having a successful year and by that I mean a Sam Maguirw

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 03/02/2014 17:16:52    1540806

I'd agree with richiq . Very very young team. And while it won't be end of world for either team it will be a marker for the year.
The two counties really are at different scopes, the view in Meath spoken in whispers and bar rooms and club games is that the majority of this team will win all Ireland within 5/6 years. Whereas Donegal have been at the pinnacle and looking for one last huurah. I'd actually say its the other way around Donegal have to do it this year as its last chance saloon. With jmcg probably not going to stay on, and the blanket defense looking old hat. Whereas Meath have time on their side to perfect the game. Look by no means are Meath the finished article, but everyone can see what that finished product will look like, and it is as my teenage daughter would describe as awesome
Really. I can't believe people are talking about the O'Byrne cup final, honestly that was a run around for very experimental b team, yesterday was more like the championship team and even some of them needed that run out. And here again is the thing, Meath are likely to improve significantly with game time , and still produced that performance

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/02/2014 17:33:21    1540817

royaldunne
County: Meath
Posts: 5342

1540817 I'd agree with richiq . Very very young team. And while it won't be end of world for either team it will be a marker for the year.
The two counties really are at different scopes, the view in Meath spoken in whispers and bar rooms and club games is that the majority of this team will win all Ireland within 5/6 years. Whereas Donegal have been at the pinnacle and looking for one last huurah. I'd actually say its the other way around Donegal have to do it this year as its last chance saloon. With jmcg probably not going to stay on, and the blanket defense looking old hat.

Maybe you should look at the Donegal team again, especially at the current age of some of their key players. The bulk of these guys will likely be playing a significant role for at least another 5-6 years.

Michael Murphy 24,
Odhran MacNiallais 20,
Patrick McBrearty 20,
Brick Molloy 23,
Ryan McHugh 19,
Leo McLoone, 25,
Martin McElhinney 25,
Mark McHugh 23,
David Walsh 24,
Paddy McGrath 24,
Martin O'Reilly 20,

There is a very strong core of young players 25 or under in Donegal at the moment, and at U21 level they showed last season that they are not far off Cavan. I would be very very wary of predicting a last hurrah for Donegal. I think they will remain a significant team over the next 5 or 6 years.

As for Jim McGuinness, I reckon he will be about for another 3 or 4 years as manager.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 03/02/2014 18:49:42    1540869

Yeah but Meath are as young and I'd say have individuals who will make a spine of a future ai team
I'm averaging ages here but look at these guys
Michael Newman 22 I think
Donal keoghan 23 I think
Eamonn Wallace 22
Cillian O'Sullivan 20
Graham Reilly 25 this year
These guys are already household names and genuinely will only get better as they get older, as I said I'm not 100% on their ages but I don't think I'm that far off

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/02/2014 19:02:47    1540877