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I think man markers with pace would be a priority if looking for more defenders. This was an area where squad was a little thin on. James McEntee was next in if injuries or changes needed at corner back and James is not a natural corner back. Perhaps Keoghan dropping back and alternative half back also idea as seem to be more stocked on half back options in county.
If all fit, fairly well stocked at midfield too.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 817 - 20/09/2025 11:31:31
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I thought Charlie O'Connor of Dunshaughlin played very well at the weekend, and he arguably outperformed Conor Gray. He is worth a try. biggest area of concern for me is corner back - we need as much depth there as possible. I think Brennan should use the league to rotate positions and give lads exposure to playing there.
If everyone is fit, I actually see scope for Kinsella at 6. He has all the football you'd want in that role and is excellent coming onto play, which also opens up the option of moving a half back into full back.
Another key area is our 45 kickers. We need to be executing dead balls more consistently.
I think some positional switches could really help meath .take Frayne, I think he's a great bit of stuff, but he could use a touch more pace to buy himself that extra half yard so he's not forced to kick on sight. Ultimately, I think 11 could be his best position. If I could ask santy it would be 2 athletic backs ideally corner backs and a 45 kicker and with those wed be an Established top tier team for sure.
royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 29 - 29/09/2025 23:04:49
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Big year for Meath. Will the push on or fall back into the pack I think the latter is most likely as perhaps they over achieved this year.
The League is so important now with renewed Derbys from promoted Kildare and Offaly and tough asks from relegated Armagh and Derry, throw in old foes and more Derbys from Louth and Cavan and then improving Cork, Meath will most likely be fighting relegation and a return to Tailteann Cup football is a real possibility and would be a disaster
The Country is watching Meath to improve …. Time will tell
numberedjerseys (USA) - Posts: 371 - 30/09/2025 08:24:39
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Replying To royalcounty1: "I thought Charlie O'Connor of Dunshaughlin played very well at the weekend, and he arguably outperformed Conor Gray. He is worth a try. biggest area of concern for me is corner back - we need as much depth there as possible. I think Brennan should use the league to rotate positions and give lads exposure to playing there.
If everyone is fit, I actually see scope for Kinsella at 6. He has all the football you'd want in that role and is excellent coming onto play, which also opens up the option of moving a half back into full back.
Another key area is our 45 kickers. We need to be executing dead balls more consistently.
I think some positional switches could really help meath .take Frayne, I think he's a great bit of stuff, but he could use a touch more pace to buy himself that extra half yard so he's not forced to kick on sight. Ultimately, I think 11 could be his best position. If I could ask santy it would be 2 athletic backs ideally corner backs and a 45 kicker and with those wed be an Established top tier team for sure." Agreed on Charlie O'Connor but is a ball winner and grafter and that's his main contribution. Gray possibly has a greater ceiling. Wouldn't agree on positional change for Kinsella. Leave him where he is and let him grow in playmaker role. Think we actually have other 45 and long range free takers like Flynn, Duke and Hogan. Corner backs required yes but few and far between. Frayne doesn't have great pace but wouldn't move him out. Think it's corner forward or nowhere for him.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 817 - 30/09/2025 10:11:03
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No way would i move kinsella, he's the centre forward we've been waiting for for God knows how long. Adam mcdonnell from summerhill has impressed. Plays with a serious edge, not too many around with his attributes
southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1032 - 30/09/2025 12:14:18
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Replying To southmeathgael: "No way would i move kinsella, he's the centre forward we've been waiting for for God knows how long. Adam mcdonnell from summerhill has impressed. Plays with a serious edge, not too many around with his attributes" Agreed McDonnell very similar in ways to Colm Coyle in that he could play in a number of positions, plays with no fear and has an edge.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 817 - 30/09/2025 12:39:20
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Hearing Skyrnes coach Conor Scully has been brought in by RB. Looks a positive move if true. Lads in Skyrne speak very highly of him. Heard Dave Clare speaking highly of him too in an interview before their championship meeting. On the player front I have been very impressed with Castletowns Rian McConnell, could be one to make the step up.
Northroyal55 (Meath) - Posts: 11 - 01/10/2025 07:09:40
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I think the most interesting thing upcoming for Meath will be appointing the Captain for 2026. I think Frayne should be and could be under pressure. He's just not fast enough at inter county level and lacks the kind of power that inside forwards sometimes have if they are not fast (think Oisin McConville) The captaincy decision will be an indicator on Robbie's thinking here.
My Idea of a Forward line for 2026
10 - Duke (pressure)11 - Kinsella - 12 Cant decide
13 - Costello 14 - Conlon 15 Morris
A couple of additional thoughts. Ronan Jones just can't be considered a sustainable option at this stage. You just have to expect him to be injured. Even if he's fit, I like him as a closer. Think of the game against Dublin where he just gets on the ball, slows it down, and plays with his head.
Young Lads Coming Through
Michael McIvor - 3-6 in the Junior Semi-final, I think, having been very sick the few weeks before? He looks the part and plays the part in everything he's done, albeit at a lower grade.
Cian Commons - Has elevated himself to be Seneschalstown's most important player, even above the likes of Meath panelist Cathal Hickey. Again, he's a mountain of a man and could be an option at 12 or even apply pressure to Duke at 10.
Jamie Murphy - I'm not convinced just yet. He just doesn't seem to string games together. Brilliant in one, tied up by a decent man marker in the next. He's clearly a great free-taker, which is something I think we need (Think of all of Hogan's missed chances in key games last year from the ground). Jury still out for me on him just yet.
We need backs IMO - Wheres the next Raff out of nowhere coming from?
Coylesrighthand (Meath) - Posts: 27 - 01/10/2025 11:38:34
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Replying To Northroyal55: "Hearing Skyrnes coach Conor Scully has been brought in by RB. Looks a positive move if true. Lads in Skyrne speak very highly of him. Heard Dave Clare speaking highly of him too in an interview before their championship meeting. On the player front I have been very impressed with Castletowns Rian McConnell, could be one to make the step up." Castletowns killian Smyth
southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1032 - 01/10/2025 13:35:18
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As we've all said, I think corner backs are the biggest priority right now. We need as many pacey tigers back there as we can get. That's not easy to train, so it really comes down to who develops and comes through. I don't follow club football closely enough to know the prospects, but I'd still be very positive about Meath senior football in the short term. We genuinely have a crop of good young footballers right now.
For me, the key is making them work for us better - switch them around, expose them to new roles, keep things fluid. Like Armagh did: stick with a good core but change who wears what number over the years. Good intercounty players should be able to cover most positions in their half of the field.
That said it looks like full forward line players have to be lethal. It's an unforgiving position where every possession is expected to end in a score. Take Curtis, for example: he could play a Dukes-type role - linking play, recycling, shooting from distance - but because he's close to goal, he's judged much harsher. Same with Frayne.
Frayne lacks that extra yard of pace, which makes him shoot too early. I'd move him out a bit - he's two-footed, sees a pass, and is technically a skilled kicker. With more physical development, he'll ride tackles better, be more comfortable with tight marking, and then be able to drift back nearer goal.
We've got an interesting mix: Flynn, Gray, Conlon, and Caufield bring physical attributes, while Morris, Frayne, Costello, and Kinsella are technical footballers. The issue is we're not always getting the right type on the ball at the right moments - too often it's like-for-like isolated together. Smarter movement and positioning could really unlock them. In simple terms, we need a better balance of physicality and skill in the forward line.
Costello, for me, is the only Meath player consistently thinking a step ahead - drawing players, continuing runs, and arriving for the third or fourth pass. If more lads developed that side of their game, Curtis or Frayne wouldn't get turned over or forced into rushed shots as often.
It's a pity Banty hasn't stayed fit. He brings pace and ball-winning high up the pitch, a perfect foil for the class of Morris and Frayne. And if Jones, Flynn, Gray, O'Neill, and Menton are all fit, pushing one of Jones or Flynn into the forward line gives us a completely different look in attack.
royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 29 - 01/10/2025 23:02:21
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Replying To southmeathgael: "Castletowns killian Smyth" Yeah he's impressed me the most, was unplayable last weekend. He's about 6"1, fast, physical and looks like he'd cope with the demands of intercountry football.
Rian McConnell is probably a much better natural footballer, but lacks physicality and might not be ready to take the step up yet.
Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 86 - 02/10/2025 11:34:08
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Replying To royalcounty1: "As we've all said, I think corner backs are the biggest priority right now. We need as many pacey tigers back there as we can get. That's not easy to train, so it really comes down to who develops and comes through. I don't follow club football closely enough to know the prospects, but I'd still be very positive about Meath senior football in the short term. We genuinely have a crop of good young footballers right now.
For me, the key is making them work for us better - switch them around, expose them to new roles, keep things fluid. Like Armagh did: stick with a good core but change who wears what number over the years. Good intercounty players should be able to cover most positions in their half of the field.
That said it looks like full forward line players have to be lethal. It's an unforgiving position where every possession is expected to end in a score. Take Curtis, for example: he could play a Dukes-type role - linking play, recycling, shooting from distance - but because he's close to goal, he's judged much harsher. Same with Frayne.
Frayne lacks that extra yard of pace, which makes him shoot too early. I'd move him out a bit - he's two-footed, sees a pass, and is technically a skilled kicker. With more physical development, he'll ride tackles better, be more comfortable with tight marking, and then be able to drift back nearer goal.
We've got an interesting mix: Flynn, Gray, Conlon, and Caufield bring physical attributes, while Morris, Frayne, Costello, and Kinsella are technical footballers. The issue is we're not always getting the right type on the ball at the right moments - too often it's like-for-like isolated together. Smarter movement and positioning could really unlock them. In simple terms, we need a better balance of physicality and skill in the forward line.
Costello, for me, is the only Meath player consistently thinking a step ahead - drawing players, continuing runs, and arriving for the third or fourth pass. If more lads developed that side of their game, Curtis or Frayne wouldn't get turned over or forced into rushed shots as often.
It's a pity Banty hasn't stayed fit. He brings pace and ball-winning high up the pitch, a perfect foil for the class of Morris and Frayne. And if Jones, Flynn, Gray, O'Neill, and Menton are all fit, pushing one of Jones or Flynn into the forward line gives us a completely different look in attack." Flynn has been excellent for Ratoath in the game and a half he has played since injury! I don't believe they would have got past Ashbourne if he hadn't come on and he was outstanding against Skyrne! To me he is a midfielder and the best all round midfielder we have! He will be a big addition next year if fit!
Costello hasn't been great for Dunshaughlin but I think there is a touch of class about him that makes him vital to the Meath team! I agree with you on Frayne - I think he could be a great half forward and out there he would have more opportunity for the 2 pointer! If Conlon gets back to full fitness it might allow Ger push Frayne back!
With the pre season competitions back on, we will have more visibility of who is being tried out and where!
Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 525 - 02/10/2025 13:35:19
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Replying To Royalblufill: "Flynn has been excellent for Ratoath in the game and a half he has played since injury! I don't believe they would have got past Ashbourne if he hadn't come on and he was outstanding against Skyrne! To me he is a midfielder and the best all round midfielder we have! He will be a big addition next year if fit!
Costello hasn't been great for Dunshaughlin but I think there is a touch of class about him that makes him vital to the Meath team! I agree with you on Frayne - I think he could be a great half forward and out there he would have more opportunity for the 2 pointer! If Conlon gets back to full fitness it might allow Ger push Frayne back!
With the pre season competitions back on, we will have more visibility of who is being tried out and where!" Agree on Flynn. He was actually going really well this year with Meath before injury. Key he maintains fitness and availability. He's a 2pt threat also.
At club level ironically it may be more difficult for Costello as the county game is faster so he can exploit spaces better but he does drift a bit at times.
I expect like last year, there will be injuries and loss of form etc so what seems logical on paper may not come to pass.
There are certainly 4 or 5 squad positions up for grabs and there are many that have impressed enough with clubs to get chances. When brought in, it's up to them to take those chances and management to make right choices.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 817 - 02/10/2025 15:08:37
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are we definitley playing our league matcches in croke park in spring? whens fixtures out surely should be no delay in that now? god forbid anyone might want to organise a trip away or stay over in dubllin after the home games.
dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 893 - 05/10/2025 23:41:04
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Replying To dickie10: "are we definitley playing our league matcches in croke park in spring? whens fixtures out surely should be no delay in that now? god forbid anyone might want to organise a trip away or stay over in dubllin after the home games." Stay over in Dublin, did you win the lottery lately?
Meathgaalad (Meath) - Posts: 176 - 09/10/2025 07:32:26
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Replying To royalcounty1: "As we've all said, I think corner backs are the biggest priority right now. We need as many pacey tigers back there as we can get. That's not easy to train, so it really comes down to who develops and comes through. I don't follow club football closely enough to know the prospects, but I'd still be very positive about Meath senior football in the short term. We genuinely have a crop of good young footballers right now.
For me, the key is making them work for us better - switch them around, expose them to new roles, keep things fluid. Like Armagh did: stick with a good core but change who wears what number over the years. Good intercounty players should be able to cover most positions in their half of the field.
That said it looks like full forward line players have to be lethal. It's an unforgiving position where every possession is expected to end in a score. Take Curtis, for example: he could play a Dukes-type role - linking play, recycling, shooting from distance - but because he's close to goal, he's judged much harsher. Same with Frayne.
Frayne lacks that extra yard of pace, which makes him shoot too early. I'd move him out a bit - he's two-footed, sees a pass, and is technically a skilled kicker. With more physical development, he'll ride tackles better, be more comfortable with tight marking, and then be able to drift back nearer goal.
We've got an interesting mix: Flynn, Gray, Conlon, and Caufield bring physical attributes, while Morris, Frayne, Costello, and Kinsella are technical footballers. The issue is we're not always getting the right type on the ball at the right moments - too often it's like-for-like isolated together. Smarter movement and positioning could really unlock them. In simple terms, we need a better balance of physicality and skill in the forward line.
Costello, for me, is the only Meath player consistently thinking a step ahead - drawing players, continuing runs, and arriving for the third or fourth pass. If more lads developed that side of their game, Curtis or Frayne wouldn't get turned over or forced into rushed shots as often.
It's a pity Banty hasn't stayed fit. He brings pace and ball-winning high up the pitch, a perfect foil for the class of Morris and Frayne. And if Jones, Flynn, Gray, O'Neill, and Menton are all fit, pushing one of Jones or Flynn into the forward line gives us a completely different look in attack." Who are likely to be the pacey tiger man markers that could add to this developing squad? Probably need at least two.
Possibilities from natural corner back with good club championship campaigns last few years and some with underage Meath pedigree:
James O'Hare
Conor Ennis
Ben Moran
Liam Brennan
Ciaran McCarrick
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 817 - 10/10/2025 22:54:56
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Replying To winatallcost: "Who are likely to be the pacey tiger man markers that could add to this developing squad? Probably need at least two.
Possibilities from natural corner back with good club championship campaigns last few years and some with underage Meath pedigree:
James O'Hare
Conor Ennis
Ben Moran
Liam Brennan
Ciaran McCarrick" Jayus...couldnt agree more and for the best man marker in the game at the minute i would say Brennan. He is pacey on the ball and the eye of a tiger.
Cant wait to see him in the Regionals.
Holymoly#6 (Meath) - Posts: 26 - 12/10/2025 21:59:42
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Replying To Meathgaalad: "Stay over in Dublin, did you win the lottery lately?" Believe it or not Dublin is more affordable in the off peak season then many think, on booking.com you can get a city center room for two people for about €125 on a Saturday night in February, you can get a few pints at a reasonable price too if you stay away from the tourist bars and a big mac costs the same where ever you are in the country. For some reason the gaa are always slow in releasing the league fixtures which as a previous poster has said makes no sense if your planning one or more stay overs.
Royal.Legend (Meath) - Posts: 735 - 13/10/2025 08:43:16
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After watching the finals at the weekend, a list of lads I would like to see get a run out.
Ben Corkery (Clann Na Gael) pacey, selfish inside forward. Still has 2 years at u20 but definitely would like to see him get a bit of experience.
Eoin Griffin (Clann na Gael) Again, I think he can provide a bit of competition for Hogan and Brennan. Good kickouts, decent shot stopper.
Michael McIvor (Vincents) Again offers something different to what we already have with Meath, he's more old-school, physical and direct.
Rian McConnell (Castletown) Only a matter of time before he makes the step up. Think it's time to get him in around the squad.
David O Leary (Kilbride) being calling for him to get a run out for years but now he is only coming into his prime, athletic, can kick a 2 pointer and brings players into the game
Liam Kelly (Ratoath) Can play anywhere across the 6 back positions from what I see of him this year and the last few years with Meath. I definitely see him as the best option to try out at corner back next year.
Adam McDonnell (Summerhill) What an engine, I think himself and Caufield as two wing backs would be difficult for ant team to handle.
UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 456 - 13/10/2025 20:28:19
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Replying To UsernameInvalid: "After watching the finals at the weekend, a list of lads I would like to see get a run out.
Ben Corkery (Clann Na Gael) pacey, selfish inside forward. Still has 2 years at u20 but definitely would like to see him get a bit of experience.
Eoin Griffin (Clann na Gael) Again, I think he can provide a bit of competition for Hogan and Brennan. Good kickouts, decent shot stopper.
Michael McIvor (Vincents) Again offers something different to what we already have with Meath, he's more old-school, physical and direct.
Rian McConnell (Castletown) Only a matter of time before he makes the step up. Think it's time to get him in around the squad.
David O Leary (Kilbride) being calling for him to get a run out for years but now he is only coming into his prime, athletic, can kick a 2 pointer and brings players into the game
Liam Kelly (Ratoath) Can play anywhere across the 6 back positions from what I see of him this year and the last few years with Meath. I definitely see him as the best option to try out at corner back next year.
Adam McDonnell (Summerhill) What an engine, I think himself and Caufield as two wing backs would be difficult for ant team to handle." Of these McDonnell best realistic prospect if he commits to county football. He has to get chances anf be persevered with though as definitely a better player than many on Meath panel and a good age to improve.
O'Leary always was a good player and perhaps should have been looked at years ago but he is about 28 years old with no county experience.
Corkery and McGiver, leave with U20's. Expected more from McGiver in Junior final.
McConnell a lovely player but very slight. Worth a try but still unsure if physically suited.
Not too sure on Griffin or if Meath really looking for another keeper yet.
Liam Kelly is versatile but does he have the pace to be a corner or half back or the physique to play centrally?
Possibly worth a try.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 817 - 14/10/2025 14:08:05
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