Meath Forum

Meath Senior Football Team 2021

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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99:  "An interesting team. Notable names missing from the 26. Cathal Hickey, Joey Wallace and James McEntee stand out. I like the look of that half forward. Campion and Costello might be our two best kick passers so good to have them both there"
Strange to see both McEntee and Hickey out of match day squad, Andy did say in his interview with Chronicle that lads would be picked on form shown in training and I cant argue with that. They may have picked up knocks and just not fully fit, like the look of half forwards, options for long kickouts and Harnan at midfield will scrap for every ball, Looks a well balanced side that has addressed some of our longstanding issues.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2149 - 15/05/2021 13:11:07    2341863

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Replying To QuarantineJoe:  "What is the story with Aaron Lynch from Trim not getting in the squad? Has he been asked or not want to join up? Few forwards on that team wouldnt lace his boots, one of the most raved about players especially on this website alone. What is he missing that wouldnt be added too with experience at this level.
Also agree Shane gallagher is a massive loss, was missed last year especially with toner and others filling in at corner back."
100%. God forbid we try something different in the forwards or whisper it, have a decent free taker like Lynch. One of the starting forwards and 3 of the forwards on the bench we now know categorically aren't up to it at div 1/upper intercounty level having watched them over the past few seasons.

Aside from that nothing new from GK situation (in fact we've gone backwards from even last year it seems) while we'll, I'm not going to say too much about new captaincy situation out of respect for the player involved who's a good honest trier but shouldn't be put in that situation.

Management have made their bed now I suppose.

Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1319 - 15/05/2021 13:36:57    2341866

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Replying To Crinigan:  "100%. God forbid we try something different in the forwards or whisper it, have a decent free taker like Lynch. One of the starting forwards and 3 of the forwards on the bench we now know categorically aren't up to it at div 1/upper intercounty level having watched them over the past few seasons.

Aside from that nothing new from GK situation (in fact we've gone backwards from even last year it seems) while we'll, I'm not going to say too much about new captaincy situation out of respect for the player involved who's a good honest trier but shouldn't be put in that situation.

Management have made their bed now I suppose."
Have to say I think you're dead on on all fronts. A lot of bad or indifferent signals coming out in the last week. Hopefully not a bad omen:
1/ two bad, very unlucky injuries...
2/ not a huge amount of radical selection, if any.
3/ too many players from one club (not even a particularly dominant club), also happens to be the gaffer's club. Makes one think. Things are NOT good when you're seeing insular selection like that on a county team, unless you've an enormously successful club in question. To me it shows a lack of vision and perhaps a clique mentality.
4/ Captaincy. Don't want to get into it but you get my point surely.
5/ goalkeeping situation no further on whatsoever which at this point is unforgivable.
This year could be the rock where our management will sink. And Im a big fan of them.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 589 - 15/05/2021 15:36:43    2341891

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Replying To Crinigan:  "100%. God forbid we try something different in the forwards or whisper it, have a decent free taker like Lynch. One of the starting forwards and 3 of the forwards on the bench we now know categorically aren't up to it at div 1/upper intercounty level having watched them over the past few seasons.

Aside from that nothing new from GK situation (in fact we've gone backwards from even last year it seems) while we'll, I'm not going to say too much about new captaincy situation out of respect for the player involved who's a good honest trier but shouldn't be put in that situation.

Management have made their bed now I suppose."
I have been very critical of management on several occasions, however, a ball has yet to be kicked in anger, so would prefer to give all the benefit of the doubt for new season. At the very least let the league get under way. We have gone for something different in the forwards, moved away from small pacy lads and introduced bigger and better fielders who are good kick passers of the ball. Have to wait and see how free taking pans out. Selection would suggest that kickout strategy has at least been addressed with the inclusion of two good fielders in half forward line and Harnan in midfield who will scrap for every ball. Its the first time in quite a while we have the option to go long, hopefully this may go some way to address recent kickout meltdowns. As for captain, Shane Mc has always given his all and I think the constant sniping from a few posters is unwarranted. I also read of radical selection, this is a cutthroat league and if management were to go that route few would agree. Refer to MOD in our past or to P Joyce today when he went for boys against men and many of the younger Galway lads won u20 last year, but the step up is huge. I agree management have made their bed and if it does not work out they will pay the price and thats how it should be.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2149 - 15/05/2021 17:31:15    2341975

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Replying To seadog54:  "I have been very critical of management on several occasions, however, a ball has yet to be kicked in anger, so would prefer to give all the benefit of the doubt for new season. At the very least let the league get under way. We have gone for something different in the forwards, moved away from small pacy lads and introduced bigger and better fielders who are good kick passers of the ball. Have to wait and see how free taking pans out. Selection would suggest that kickout strategy has at least been addressed with the inclusion of two good fielders in half forward line and Harnan in midfield who will scrap for every ball. Its the first time in quite a while we have the option to go long, hopefully this may go some way to address recent kickout meltdowns. As for captain, Shane Mc has always given his all and I think the constant sniping from a few posters is unwarranted. I also read of radical selection, this is a cutthroat league and if management were to go that route few would agree. Refer to MOD in our past or to P Joyce today when he went for boys against men and many of the younger Galway lads won u20 last year, but the step up is huge. I agree management have made their bed and if it does not work out they will pay the price and thats how it should be."
Agreed totally.
I also think Shane Mc is entirely a good choice for capt, he gives his all , it might not always work, but if better players have as much as him we'd still be in div 1. It's not his fault who his dad is, and to say he is only capt cause of that is very disingenuous to the lad.
On the radical thing ? I don't know what to say ? We are in a situation where we have to win the first two games . On the gk situation?our best two keepers are u20s . And not on seniors this year. We have known for months that colgan and hogan were the two keepers the faux outrage now is a bit beyond me.
Look unless Andy gets promotion or does something serious in Leinster (unlikely) then this will be his last year. So yes he has made his bed. We have to trust what he has done is the right decision, if not then he will fall on his sword.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 15/05/2021 18:08:53    2342005

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Just want to wish Shane and Andy the best of luck tomorrow. 3 wins and Division 1 here we come! Incredibly nervous tomorrow hard to gauge where we are at without O Byrne Cup games to pore over. Having said that I'll say it will be a tight game. Meath to win by 13. Hon the Royals!

Evernal (Meath) - Posts: 74 - 16/05/2021 01:21:28    2342202

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Replying To Evernal:  "Just want to wish Shane and Andy the best of luck tomorrow. 3 wins and Division 1 here we come! Incredibly nervous tomorrow hard to gauge where we are at without O Byrne Cup games to pore over. Having said that I'll say it will be a tight game. Meath to win by 13. Hon the Royals!"
Its hard to believe that three wins could have us back in Div 1. As you say, hard to judge where either team are at.. Expect a tight game, but we should have just enough to get over the line.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2149 - 16/05/2021 12:41:02    2342288

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Replying To Evernal:  "Just want to wish Shane and Andy the best of luck tomorrow. 3 wins and Division 1 here we come! Incredibly nervous tomorrow hard to gauge where we are at without O Byrne Cup games to pore over. Having said that I'll say it will be a tight game. Meath to win by 13. Hon the Royals!"
Haha nervous with a prediction to win by 13 points !

grahamc9897 (Meath) - Posts: 1174 - 16/05/2021 12:43:29    2342290

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Any one know what the mood in the Meath camp is like at the moment?. That beating by Dublin was really terrible as before that game the signs were we were improving, hopefully we can put that behind us this year.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1356 - 16/05/2021 14:14:30    2342321

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Meath will leave it to the end and win by a couple of points.

Stiofan (Meath) - Posts: 65 - 16/05/2021 17:22:48    2342407

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Well that was a tense affair. Westmeath won several individual battles and made a very good account of themselves. A win is a win, especially in the first game against a neighbour hungry for a win. The last 10 minutes won it.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 589 - 16/05/2021 17:34:19    2342413

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Replying To Young_gael:  "Well that was a tense affair. Westmeath won several individual battles and made a very good account of themselves. A win is a win, especially in the first game against a neighbour hungry for a win. The last 10 minutes won it."
True win is a win but this is just simply putting paper over the cracks. Poor performance.

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 403 - 16/05/2021 17:52:07    2342430

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A win is a win, poor performance for most part but I thought they played like a side who only got together 3 weeks ago and looked to lack sharpness, I would forgive large parts of the display but

1) goal keeper with 0 urgency to restart the game quickly.

2) no free taker, at one stage a free was given and no one went for the ball.

You could see Jones and his powerful running was missed badly and Walsh/Newman as a target man. Another issue will be the captain, if Jones gets back this year and Harnan moves back to half backs then he looks to be the one to miss out.

Thejoeshow (Meath) - Posts: 687 - 16/05/2021 18:06:38    2342446

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Good to get a win but very poor performance from Meath. Think the division 1 experience helped get us over the line. Not at all optimistic about the future.

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1792 - 16/05/2021 18:15:40    2342452

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Fairly grim performance ! Can only get better in fairness ! At least we won

grahamc9897 (Meath) - Posts: 1174 - 16/05/2021 18:33:46    2342457

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Replying To Stiofan:  "Meath will leave it to the end and win by a couple of points."
Jasus, any idea of the lotto numbers ?? After that prediction I want to know. Fair play you got it bang on.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 16/05/2021 18:38:10    2342460

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Jasus, any idea of the lotto numbers ?? After that prediction I want to know. Fair play you got it bang on."
Check the time of the message, 5:22. Just as the game was ending, sly divil trying to make it seem like he predicted it. Either that or I'm being very cynical and it just didn't post straight away haha

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1462 - 16/05/2021 19:14:58    2342488

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Replying To Thejoeshow:  "A win is a win, poor performance for most part but I thought they played like a side who only got together 3 weeks ago and looked to lack sharpness, I would forgive large parts of the display but

1) goal keeper with 0 urgency to restart the game quickly.

2) no free taker, at one stage a free was given and no one went for the ball.

You could see Jones and his powerful running was missed badly and Walsh/Newman as a target man. Another issue will be the captain, if Jones gets back this year and Harnan moves back to half backs then he looks to be the one to miss out."
Think before Shane would be dropped from the hb line they would be others ahead of him on that display.
Obviously we weren't training during lockdown, ourselves and Galway looked like the two teams who actually obeyed the rules , that been said I wouldn't be too hard on the lads, they kept plugging away even when game looked to be slipping away. It wasn't a vintage game or performance, that been said everyone worked their socks off even if it was to no avail at times. Honesty of effort at this stage is all we can ask. Gk situation was better as in kick out,
Let's hope it's like a horse race where they needed the run and will improve from it.
One final thing on our side I would rate it mayo Meath Westmeath and then Down. So we have beat one of the ones we need to, win next week and experiment against a already advanced mayo like ourselves. The more games we get the better we will get.
Hon the royal

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 16/05/2021 19:24:49    2342492

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Jasus, any idea of the lotto numbers ?? After that prediction I want to know. Fair play you got it bang on."
We won by 1 point not 2 ! So not bang on

grahamc9897 (Meath) - Posts: 1174 - 16/05/2021 19:40:49    2342501

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Tight game as expected, we looked very nervous at times, slow to get ball forward, lack of movement from full forwards did not help. In fairness to Colgan he got majority of his kicks away, pulled once for quick kickout, overall an improvement in this area. Harnan did well on his first game in quite a while .Management also quick to make changes and subs all played their part. There is little between the two counties and a win here was all that mattered.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2149 - 16/05/2021 19:51:49    2342506

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