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Seems the computer has the same inkling as I do! Ask anyone and they'll tell you that this Meath team has next to no consistency. No proven track record. No guile. Dont get me wrong; theyre extremely solid in the number 2-7 jerseys and then theyre not much above average in many other positions. There is decent depth in the squad but little class to be found, and very little up front. They are vulnerable against any team in the country if they dont perform well on the day. How we beat Offaly in the Leinster championship last year boggles the mind really. If they had a few ball winners up-front and scoring forwards they'd have won by 3/4pts and Meath would have looked a very stangant, poor team, likewise with Sligo in 2017, and similarly to how we looked vs. Longford in 2018 in Leinster. These are all "Wexford-level" teams. Unless this Meath team work like absolute dogs at the back and gets the adequate space up-front when ball is sent in we are a very real target for Wexford or anyone else in the country. I find them very difficult to analyse and it amazes me how good they can look one game vs. quality sides like Armagh or Cork to the next game where they look very limited against "poor" teams. It's frustrating, Im sure its very hard for the players as well. Put Newman and Lenihan back up front, with O'Sullivan playing deep, continue to bring-on Devine and Costello and Campion, have your full back line of Gallagher, Lavin, and McGill fully fit; make sure Menton, Harnan and Keogan can attack and play off midfield and there is a good, solid team there to build on. Those are our biggest names and most talented players as things stand. My greatest compliment I have for our panel though is that Andy McEntee has them very hard working, and in my view this is the reason we got promoted last year and reached the super 8's; theyre a very well drilled team. Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 06/07/2020 21:03:41 2283259 Link 17 |
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Agh FFS is this north and south crap being drummed out again. Christ what about east west or any other combination of compass points. If they're in green and gold that's all that matters. brian (Meath) - Posts: 1969 - 07/07/2020 00:23:13 2283281 Link 9 |
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I would be surprised if we don't at least make Leinster semi's. We should beat a div 4 team in the quarters and Kildare have not exactly set division 2 on fire this year who we probably will meet in the semi's.
bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1393 - 07/07/2020 12:33:41 2283312 Link 0 |
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I hope you're right bdbuddah. Getting to the Leinster final this winter would be a good finish to the year. Two years in a row is definite progress! Kildare will be gunning for us after last year and they're well capable of putting us to the sword. Jack O'Connor is a very serious manager and they've a very good team when the pieces fit together. Building up momentum will be important for them as well because they could also potentially be caught on the early round. Seeing as it's straight knockout it'll add spice into the mix, and this Meath team doesent like spice! Teams will vary in condition, preparedness, and it'll be as unpredictable as ever on the day so getting a good run out in the first game and going at it 100% will be important. If we can perform, we can hang around for one or two bigger days. Hopefully another pop at Dublin.
Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 07/07/2020 12:53:45 2283317 Link 17 |
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Christ that's awful negative. We're better than that. Very harsh and inaccurate at times. The one thing I'll agree with is that we are not consistent and lack guile. However, I think the Galway league game was an eye opener to how a game can be won by a team who really didn't deserve to win. It'll probably be a turning point for the team and we'll see a different Meath in that regard. I think we're 4, maybe 5, players away from being and All Ireland finalist. If Dublin's stock comes down, then we could be legitimate All Ireland winners. A Keeper, a Midfielder, a standout forward (Murphy/Clifford level) and 1/2 more consistently scoring forwards. If we can unearth them in the next couple of years we'll be in business. Easier said than done and all that, but it has to be done soon as Keoghan, Menton, Newman are all not far off 30. Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 382 - 07/07/2020 13:26:59 2283321 Link 0 |
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Ah apologies, I dont mean to be negative. Ive good time for this panel and management and I think their hearts are in the right place. Im just naturally a bit on the pessimistic side, and I think our issues outweigh our strengths at the moment, and although it is negative I honestly think all my points are true. Well trained teams who can play for 70 minutes; flood and tackle between the tram-lines all day and win the ball in the air can seriously trouble Meath at the moment, even if they haven't a man who couldnt hit a barn door with a shot. I hope that the super 8's and the run in Division one does teach our lads a few things, and gives them a new appreciation for playing hardball, particularly against teams we should be putting away, because there is a good team there. There is also talent aplenty coming from the 2017/8 minor squads and like I said good depth. Its not all bad news.
Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 07/07/2020 13:41:10 2283327 Link 18 |
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If i'm being honest we lack marque forwards that teams have to account for and guys that can come in and impact a game. We don't have a forward that would get their place on a top 4 team. Teams don't fear us. Look at Monaghan even on their bad days you have to watch McManus. Since Stephen Bray departed we miss that key forward that teams have to man mark. brian (Meath) - Posts: 1969 - 07/07/2020 15:03:30 2283349 Link 11 |
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Think he gave a fair assessment of where we are at the moment, analysis of the Offaly/Sligo and Longford was spot on. One thing I would disagree on (if you thought YG was negative you will love this) is that we beat good teams in Armagh and Cork, both of these teams were seriously depleated when we played them, we took advantage and got promoted and this is to be applauded, never look a gift hourse in the mouth. Our first two games in Division One was really a step backwards to the way we played a few years ago, no game plan and the sense players were afraid to make a mistake, I thought we did improve in last few games but individual mistakes on-field, some curious calls from line together with a serious injury list all played a part in relegation. I think if most counties could unearth 4/5 top class players they would also be contenders. We have good defenders however we are still found wanting as a defensive unit, hopefully we get back most of the injured lads and I still feel we have the makings of a decent team, however a long way off legitimate All Ireland winners. Keoghan has been the driving force of this team, he is so much more than a top class defender. If we are to progress then the goalkeeper/kick out strategy has to be fixed, every team we play has copped on to this, to the extent they will be happy to have a pot shot at posts in the knowledge they have a very good chance of regaining possession on our kickout. At this stage it is inexcuasable, has dragged on for way too long.
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 07/07/2020 19:04:55 2283387 Link 18 |
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I'm not saying we're close to being All Ireland contenders. I'm saying that we're not as far away as the pessimists (like you) think we are. You're fixated with the negative performances of Longford/Sligo/Offaly and yet there's not a mention of the good performances we had against Tyrone and Donegal in the qualifiers (games we could/should have won), or matching all 3 teams in the super 8s for 50-60 mins. Granted, we were poor against Offaly, Dublin and Clare (which is doing Clare a disservice btw) last year. But that's our Jekyll and Hyde nature at the moment unfortunately. You're right, I loved your point about we only beat 'good' teams like Cork/Armagh when they are depleted. What about how seriously depleted we were this year when we SHOULD have beaten Mayo and Galway out the gate and could, or even should, have gotten a result against Kerry? We're on a progression and are a work in progress. We've had both good and bad performances against good and bad teams, which is testament to the inconsistency of this team mentioned previously. But if we have a mixture of good, average and poor players in a team, that's going to happen. We need to unearth probably 4/5 players and cut loose the deadwood weighing us down. We have a young panel with some serious potential. However I agree with you about the Goalkeeping/kick out situation. The opposition deal with it very easily and it's killing us every game. It's probably the most urgent thing that needs to be addressed going forward. But...I have faith that McEntee and Nally etc. will address these shortcomings and we'll improve. Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 382 - 08/07/2020 14:37:04 2283488 Link 0 |
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Fair play there is nothing wrong with been optimistic, however I see myself more of a realist than a pessimist. Dont think our performance against Tyrone was all that good, certainly we could have won it near the end, however Tryone missed several good goal chances and seemed to run through us at will. I did mention that our long injury list was one of the reasons we got relegated. It is a long time since we beat a top team,( one good win could be the confidence boost this group needs) staying with them for 50/60 minutes is of little use. I must admit my faith in management is wearing thin,(not looking for replacement at this stage) mainly because the failure to address the goalkeeper/kick out strategy and general lack of a game plan, together with some poor/lack of decision making on the line. Hopefully the will have learned from the harsh lessons of the super 8s and Division One. Hard to know what to expect from championship and feel it will be next years league before we know which trajectory we are on.
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 08/07/2020 19:59:55 2283526 Link 16 |
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No you have to have great players and a great manager, meath have neither.
lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1363 - 11/07/2020 16:31:17 2283781 Link 2 |
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Kildare have had both in the past and still can't get over the line. So I'd say get back on your own forum and try to fathom how your county made a Leinster final and got promoted in 17. Won an AI 20's and made the super 8 in 18, and have just gotten worse and worse since. I'd try figure that out before talking about other counties
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1518 - 11/07/2020 18:48:23 2283792 Link 17 |
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Good man lilypad. Ive been looking at your posts for a long time; and often wondered when you'd leave one of your one-liners as a response to me. I wont argue with you, youre correct on one count, and possibly the second as well, time will tell. However time also tells a great story in reverse, and yes perhaps you ought to look to your own county. The flour bags, even at their very best, live up to their name. Lily by name, lily by nature. Youd only love if we in Meath actually sunk to your level and gave you the time and attention you all so desperately want. Pound for pound, the worst county in Ireland. Im not pulling any punches. I dont like your tone and input in any thread Ive ever seen them on, and I wont be replying to your inevitably smart response.
Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 11/07/2020 21:57:32 2283808 Link 21 |
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Haha fairplay Young_gael, proper response. Do yourself one better, don't even read his silly one liners, not even worth the few seconds it takes, just scroll on. Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 14/07/2020 18:51:35 2284075 Link 14 |
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I'm sorry. ?? And tell me what Kildare Have?? Look you can't buy success, thought the seannie incident would prove that. I know the man who never spent one night in Kildare. O'Connor is only after the funds too. And will be gone soon too.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 15/07/2020 20:48:28 2284164 Link 1 |
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ah royaldunne, I've tried to reply a few times now to admit we are a joke here in lilyland, but for some reason, they wouldn't let me
lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1363 - 15/07/2020 22:19:29 2284174 Link 0 |
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Is it really that bad in Meath with the North/South divide?
Ollie2 (Louth) - Posts: 897 - 16/07/2020 11:18:29 2284197 Link 0 |
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Not at all, I'd love for them to name 5 five north meath players good enough. If they're good enough they will be picked, simple as! Meathgaalad (Meath) - Posts: 171 - 16/07/2020 14:20:02 2284215 Link 0 |
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Ollie old friend it is. As a meath from the north end of the county it wrecks my head seeing this BS being peddled. I could care a fig where the players are from once they're in a green and gold jersey I'll cheer em on. But some of my fellow north meath people reckon we're a tougher breed (don't ask me why) and therefore needed to harden up this current Meath bunch who are soft Dub outcasts (another fallacy) from the suburbs. i.e Ratoath, Dunboyne and Ashbourne. Greatest load of BS i've ever heard and the one thing no one can explain is where does this magical north and south Meath divide begin. I saw the post under your saying name 5 North Meath men so i'll hazard a guess and say Shane Gallagher Donal Keoghan Niall Kane Brian Conlon Robin Clarke Sean Reilly Paddy Kenneally Sean Tobin Thomas Murtagh Michael Newman Oisin O'Brien Thomas O'Reilly Jordan Morris Ben Brennan James Conlon Dominic Yorke Caoloch Halligan Aaron Lynch depending on where Trim falls (but possibly south) They'd all be from clubs north of Navan if you drew a straight line across the county with Navan being the dividing point. I think that's a pretty solid number of tough guys from North Meath !!! brian (Meath) - Posts: 1969 - 17/07/2020 09:54:58 2284290 Link 10 |
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To be honest I don't know is it necessary a north Meath/ south Meath thing your talking about there. In a some of the more rural areas of south Meath there would also be a feeling that there are too many players from the main Dublin commuter areas of the county (as you say Ratoath/ Dunboyne/ Ashbourne) on the Meath team.
bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1393 - 17/07/2020 22:43:29 2284362 Link 0 |