Thoughts??
I really think we can get something up there.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/01/2019 21:30:54    2160133

Will there be a supporters bus heading to Ballybofey next Saturday evening.

Foreveraroyal (Meath) - Posts: 34 - 27/01/2019 22:15:23    2160159

Bookies have it as a 2 point handicap in favour of Donegal which is probably about right. With the amount of players they are missing though it's a real opportunity for us to get a result. No reason why we can't get a result, even a draw would put us in a great position. As we saw yesterday, there is very little between the teams in Div 2.

gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 88 - 28/01/2019 09:59:35    2160261

First time under Andy that we have won our opening game of the league, we now need to back this up. Teams will take points off each other in this league as it is so tight and a lot of quality teams in it so anything can happen. The Donegal game presents this Meath team with a massive opportunity to go and prove to themselves and everyone else that this team is going places because if Meath were to go up to Donegal on Saturday night and win, what that would do for the confidence and believe of this team is invaluable.

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 934 - 28/01/2019 09:59:46    2160262

Not an easy place to go up and get the win but with Donegal not at full strength there is no reason why we can't. To rattle them we need more adventurous play like we seen with James Mc Entee as they can be vulnerable to a running game. 2 wins out of 2 would be a good indicator of the consistency that we have been lacking in previous campaigns.

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 28/01/2019 11:39:48    2160328

This is a good opportunity for Meath. From watching Donegal a few times last year, they rely on Murphy/McBrearty a lot. To be missing them both could mean they miss out on 5/6 points. They've a lot of new blood, good players but not of the same vintage or steel as the teams of 2011-2015. They'll be vulnerable. Meath should use their asset of speed from the half-backs and try bring big intensity to the game, again thatll further put Donegal under pressure. A win would be huge for confidence.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 587 - 28/01/2019 15:45:34    2160442

Have a good chance in this one. Clare gave them a right battle on Sunday and missed a few goal chances . But the experience of holding on to the ball and wasting as much time in the game as possible got them over the line. If we get at them early we could go home with 2 points here

SheridansTry (Meath) - Posts: 180 - 28/01/2019 16:39:13    2160469

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 587 - 28/01/2019 17:18:05    2160481

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/01/2019 18:18:48    2160501

We need to win this game and set the pace in Division 2.

Donegal missing their talismen - although there are plenty of good players in that team who can hurt us and many of them have Division 1 experience.

Would take a draw if you offered it to me now but let's go for the win as it's very much achievable.

Royalio11 (Meath) - Posts: 757 - 28/01/2019 18:22:56    2160506

We need to start winning theses important games. Tyrone last year and Donegal 2017 where too missed opportunities. Where they might of giving us confidence to go on and achieve better thing's. This game is on a par with the two game's I mentioned.
Its a massive ask but if we are looking to make progress this is a great chance to make the steps forward needed if we are to progress.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 28/01/2019 19:23:51    2160527

Its never easy going to Donegal, but they are missing a few. of their big names, need to run at them from the off and try to put some doubt in their minds, therefore would be in favour of starting GR and COS, a win here would be a major confidence boost.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2144 - 28/01/2019 21:24:23    2160559

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/01/2019 22:10:04    2160585

gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 88 - 29/01/2019 09:46:10    2160635

Absolutely pelting snow in Glenties at the minute, forecast for the week is not good up here, I very much hope I'm wrong but this fixture could be in jeopardy if the weather stays like this

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 29/01/2019 10:17:33    2160645

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 29/01/2019 10:45:56    2160654

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/01/2019 14:14:39    2160729

One stat that mite be good for Meath. In last two years Meath have got results against best teams in the division.
In 2017 Galway won division 2 title, were the best team in divsion 2 , Meath defeated them.
In 2018 Roscommon won division 2 title , were best team in divsion 2 , Meath drew with them.
Will this be the third year in a row Meath get result against best team in the division.

There is no way Meath are favourites on Sunday. Donegal will be strong favourites and desevedly so. Every pundit, every tipster, every newpaper or social media outlet prediction will be tipping Donegal to win.

Donegal are one of the best teams in the country. They are a division 1. I know they r in div 2 but that will be temporary. Donegal r in the top 5 or 6 teams in the country and r the reigning Ulster champions. They have the best young team in the country at the moment. With also a good few players who have multiple Ulster titles and All Ireland medal. They have been the Ulster county / team of the decade.

This Donegal team in the next few year will be All-Ireland contenders and in 2 , 3 to 4 years this Donegal team I believe will be All-Ireland champions. They will definitely be in All Ireland final in 2 to 3 years. Michael Muiritigh was asked last week who was the team with most talent after Dublin who could beat Dubs next year he said Donegal.

Yes Donegal are building and yes they r missing two great players and Gweedore players but after Dublin the team with the best panel in the country is Donegal. I hear ex players and journalists continuing to refer to Donegal having a great panel and only Dublin have better. Look at Donegal players v Clare in forwards. Ban Gallagher Thompson and Langan are top class forwards who would walk onto to any team in the country.

Finally Ballybofey is one of the toughest places to win in the country. When Tyrone beat Donegal last year, it ended 21 match unbeaten run in Ballybofey for Donegal. It was Donegals first loss since 2010 in Ballybofey. After Dublin in Croke Park the toughest place to go in the country is Donegal in Ballybofey. Look at these stats. Meath have a big mountain to climb to beat Donegal. The following Armagh and Cork games are the big ones for Meath. Two victories in those game wud be achieveable and important. Beating Donegal wud be a bonus, but also a big upset.

1 Donegal have lost 1 match in Ballybofey in league or championship since 2010.
2 Since 2010 Donegal have played 21 times in league and championship in Ballybofey. Donegal have had 15 victories, 5 draws and 1 loss in 21 games in Ballybofey.
3 So in summary Donegal have been unbeaten in 20 of their last 21 games in Ballybofey
4 Even Dublin in this decade couldnt beat Donegal in Ballybofey. Dublin drew with Donegal twice in the league in Ballybofey.

Meath have shown when they play the Tyrones Donegals Roscommon Galways they up their game and play well and even get results. ( Meath got results v Galway Roscommon and lost by a 1 point to Donegal and Tyrone in last 2 years ). Meath do play well v division 1 top teams, so I do expect Meath to put it up to Donegal on Saturday and result is not impossible for Meath . Donegal v Meath games are always tight close games. Last game, 2 years ago Donegal won by a point. In 2014 Meath drew with Donegal in Ballybofey.

But the fact is Donegal even with their players missing r one of the best teams in the country and Ballybofey is a fortress for Donegal. They are very very rarely defeated in Ballybofey. A Meath victory wud be a massive result. But Donegal are strong favourites and desevedly so. I believe Donegal will be All-Ireland champions in 2022 or 2023. Watch out for them, they r definatly one of the most exciting team out there after Dublin.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 29/01/2019 21:21:48    2160811

Donegal have not been beaten in the league in Ballybofey since 2010. Dublin Tyrone Mayo kerry have all failed to beat Donegal in Ballybofey since 2010 in the league. Donegal are unbeaten in the league in their last 13 games in Ballybofey. That is after Dublin the best record in the country.

On average between 2012 and 2018 fifty seven per cent of home teams win their home matchs each league campaign in div 1. So excluding the last round of league games last year in the previous 6 rounds of the league in div 1 teams 12 home teams won games and 10 away teams won games and u had 1 draw. Thats 56% sucess rate for home teams. And as I said the average sucess rate for home teams in div 1 in the league is 57% . Donegal home record is on a different level. The only team comparable in league football is Dublin in Croker.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 29/01/2019 21:22:04    2160812

Foreveraroyal (Meath) - Posts: 34 - 29/01/2019 22:12:03    2160824