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Meath 2026

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Replying To winatallcost:  "Any news on final panel for league and new additions from last year?"
I don't think you can drop Menton if he's fit. He was easily our best and most consistent midfielder last year. Gray still gets spoken about as having "potential," but he's 22 now. The talk of potential has to go; it's now time for realization. For me, he is still too inconsistent. Last year's quarter-final and semi-final are a distillation of his career so far. A brilliant, game-changing performance in the quarter-final vs. Galway; however, in the semi-final vs. Galway, he gets brought on early for Menton and can't make any impression whatsoever on the game.

Coylesrighthand (Meath) - Posts: 33 - 16/01/2026 10:04:28    2651278

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Replying To madmeath:  "Great to be finally going into the start of the year confident Meath can do well.
The lads let go from the panel after the O' Byrne cup I do feel sorry for as it is very hard to make an impression at this time of year and the conditions the O' Byrne cup is played in, the pitch in Offaly the grass was very long, in any case Brennan had to start reducing numbers and there are probably a good few more players to be cut.
He will probably play a few different midfield combinations in the league, as a Dunshaughlin man I would love to see the Gray/O' Connor duo in the middle, but if I was betting at this stage (before the league even begins) who will be the two starting midfielders in the championship I would think it will be Ronan Jones partnered with Gray and if not Gray (in order of best chance) Menton, McBride, Charlie O' Connor, Jack Kinlough, Flynn, McGowan.
It is a long time since Meath had so many good options at midfield."
Agree the midfield options are good. I've been at some sigerson games the last few weeks.

Saw Mcbride 2 weeks ago, it was as dominant a midfield display as I've ever seen, that's not meath bias or exaggeration either, he won both throw ups cleanly, fielded 9 kickouts, and was fouled on 4 more. And he punched in a goal too. My only question would be around his kicking, it seems a non existent part of his game. He obviously needs to back it up for Meath now but he looks to be set up for a big season.

Saw Conor Gray and Charlie O'connor on Tuesday against UCD. Both excellent in their own ways. Neither are fielding kickouts like Mcbride is at the moment, but their distribution of the football particularly when it comes to kicking is ahead of Mcbride. Maynooth should have won that game but for what it's worth two meath men Rian McConnell and Michael Mcivor came off the bench and changed the game for UCD.

I'd be shocked if Mcbride didn't start with Flynn vs Derry. Both need to play well as Gray and Charlie O'connor will be pushing for places not to mention Mento as well.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 286 - 16/01/2026 11:05:29    2651290

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Agree the midfield options are good. I've been at some sigerson games the last few weeks.

Saw Mcbride 2 weeks ago, it was as dominant a midfield display as I've ever seen, that's not meath bias or exaggeration either, he won both throw ups cleanly, fielded 9 kickouts, and was fouled on 4 more. And he punched in a goal too. My only question would be around his kicking, it seems a non existent part of his game. He obviously needs to back it up for Meath now but he looks to be set up for a big season.

Saw Conor Gray and Charlie O'connor on Tuesday against UCD. Both excellent in their own ways. Neither are fielding kickouts like Mcbride is at the moment, but their distribution of the football particularly when it comes to kicking is ahead of Mcbride. Maynooth should have won that game but for what it's worth two meath men Rian McConnell and Michael Mcivor came off the bench and changed the game for UCD.

I'd be shocked if Mcbride didn't start with Flynn vs Derry. Both need to play well as Gray and Charlie O'connor will be pushing for places not to mention Mento as well."
Menton, Gray, Flynn all similar style of players. None of them can cover a lot of ground and lack the pace for hard ground that we see in the later stages of the championship. In fairness Menton is 36 so can't blame him there. Jones never excels in the middle he's a much better wing forward and can use his size athletic ability to better effect. Mc Bride is a big athletic man with a great ability to field kickouts I'm not worried if he's not the best kicker of the ball we have 6 forwards for that. O'Connor is a good prospect but needs to cot his teeth and take his chances. O'Neill is not a midfielder he's a full back but probably the best corner back in the county miles ahead of Lavin or O'Hallerin. Who will step up when they're needed who knows.

latouche25 (Meath) - Posts: 559 - 16/01/2026 14:13:52    2651328

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Replying To Coylesrighthand:  "I don't think you can drop Menton if he's fit. He was easily our best and most consistent midfielder last year. Gray still gets spoken about as having "potential," but he's 22 now. The talk of potential has to go; it's now time for realization. For me, he is still too inconsistent. Last year's quarter-final and semi-final are a distillation of his career so far. A brilliant, game-changing performance in the quarter-final vs. Galway; however, in the semi-final vs. Galway, he gets brought on early for Menton and can't make any impression whatsoever on the game."
I think he was out much of last year though due illness?

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1844 - 16/01/2026 17:07:01    2651358

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Replying To latouche25:  "Menton, Gray, Flynn all similar style of players. None of them can cover a lot of ground and lack the pace for hard ground that we see in the later stages of the championship. In fairness Menton is 36 so can't blame him there. Jones never excels in the middle he's a much better wing forward and can use his size athletic ability to better effect. Mc Bride is a big athletic man with a great ability to field kickouts I'm not worried if he's not the best kicker of the ball we have 6 forwards for that. O'Connor is a good prospect but needs to cot his teeth and take his chances. O'Neill is not a midfielder he's a full back but probably the best corner back in the county miles ahead of Lavin or O'Hallerin. Who will step up when they're needed who knows."
Kerry won an Ireland with two midfielders not hugely mobile or fast but played to their strengths and very affective.
Wouldn't fully agree that none of players mentiined cover much ground either but true they are not speedsters. They are however strong and good players. Agree O'Neill not a midfielder and we are not overly well stocked at corner back. McCarrick is a tigerish player who impressed in O'Byrne cup so could be an option too?

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 906 - 16/01/2026 23:23:07    2651401

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Replying To bert09:  "I think he was out much of last year though due illness?"
The illness was in 2024

Coylesrighthand (Meath) - Posts: 33 - 17/01/2026 09:35:28    2651410

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Replying To winatallcost:  "Kerry won an Ireland with two midfielders not hugely mobile or fast but played to their strengths and very affective.
Wouldn't fully agree that none of players mentiined cover much ground either but true they are not speedsters. They are however strong and good players. Agree O'Neill not a midfielder and we are not overly well stocked at corner back. McCarrick is a tigerish player who impressed in O'Byrne cup so could be an option too?"
Joe O'Connor was easily the 2nd best player in the country last year and is an absolute athletic powerhouse. He has pace, power in abundance. I think it's a little unfair now to say he's not mobile.

Flynn is the obvious first choice midfielder for us. I think a worker beside him will do fine and then find home for the rest of the guys either on the bench or in forwards.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 17/01/2026 15:01:51    2651454

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Replying To royalcounty1:  "Joe O'Connor was easily the 2nd best player in the country last year and is an absolute athletic powerhouse. He has pace, power in abundance. I think it's a little unfair now to say he's not mobile.

Flynn is the obvious first choice midfielder for us. I think a worker beside him will do fine and then find home for the rest of the guys either on the bench or in forwards."
Joe O'Connor was a wing foward with Sean O'Brien and Mark O'Shea the midfield pairing for Kerry's All Ireland success last year.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 906 - 17/01/2026 17:22:50    2651469

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Frayne is back!
Played a challenge game today against Laois which the lads won by 21 points

Dunshaughlin4keegan (Meath) - Posts: 23 - 17/01/2026 19:44:58    2651498

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Replying To winatallcost:  "Joe O'Connor was a wing foward with Sean O'Brien and Mark O'Shea the midfield pairing for Kerry's All Ireland success last year."
That's fair I forgot he lined out at half forward,all though he is essentially their midfielder and played the majority of the championship at 8.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 17/01/2026 22:24:25    2651526

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Replying To Dunshaughlin4keegan:  "Frayne is back!
Played a challenge game today against Laois which the lads won by 21 points"
Would be interesting to know the lineout. Good news on Frayne and hopefully Kinsella will be fit to go!

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 906 - 17/01/2026 22:54:25    2651533

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Replying To Dunshaughlin4keegan:  "Frayne is back!
Played a challenge game today against Laois which the lads won by 21 points"
What was the team we put out? Where was it played?

Royalroyal97 (Meath) - Posts: 18 - 17/01/2026 23:46:23    2651541

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Replying To Royalroyal97:  "What was the team we put out? Where was it played?"
Apparently very similar to the All-Ireland semi final minus Kinsella and Ronan Ryan

Dunshaughlin4keegan (Meath) - Posts: 23 - 18/01/2026 22:42:17    2651749

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All roads lead to Croker on Saturday, big game.

What do people think the team will be ? Anyone who is apparently going well!!

Faithfulmeath (Meath) - Posts: 39 - 18/01/2026 23:39:31    2651757

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Replying To Faithfulmeath:  "All roads lead to Croker on Saturday, big game.

What do people think the team will be ? Anyone who is apparently going well!!"
Seems like Kinsella is 50 50 for round 1. If he doesn't make it, matt costello might go to 11 and Keith Curtis or James Conlon might come in. Or maybe a more like for like replacement such as Rian McConnell, Jason Scully or Oisin Martin. All going well this would be my guess. Not too many changes from what got us to an all ireland semi final.

1. Billy Hogan
2. Seamus Lavin
3. Sean Rafferty
4. Brian O'Halloran
5. Donal Keoghan
6. Sean Coffey
7. Ciaran Caulfield
8. Cian McBride
9. Bryan Menton
10. Conor Duke
11. Ruairi kinsella
12. Jack Flynn
13. Jordan Morris
14. Matt Costello
15. Eoghan Frayne

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 286 - 19/01/2026 10:54:24    2651814

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Is Jordie going to be involved on Saturday given his on-going involvement in the Sigerson cup?

GoalsWinGames (Meath) - Posts: 315 - 19/01/2026 11:57:00    2651849

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Replying To GoalsWinGames:  "Is Jordie going to be involved on Saturday given his on-going involvement in the Sigerson cup?"
His college don't have a game this week, even if they did he would definitely be playing both. The likes of Caulfield and Frayne played both last year, Assuming O'Halloran and Duke both start, by the time the Cavan game is played Sunday week, they will have played 4 games in 10 days between sigerson and Meath.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 286 - 19/01/2026 13:04:20    2651876

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Seems like Kinsella is 50 50 for round 1. If he doesn't make it, matt costello might go to 11 and Keith Curtis or James Conlon might come in. Or maybe a more like for like replacement such as Rian McConnell, Jason Scully or Oisin Martin. All going well this would be my guess. Not too many changes from what got us to an all ireland semi final.

1. Billy Hogan
2. Seamus Lavin
3. Sean Rafferty
4. Brian O'Halloran
5. Donal Keoghan
6. Sean Coffey
7. Ciaran Caulfield
8. Cian McBride
9. Bryan Menton
10. Conor Duke
11. Ruairi kinsella
12. Jack Flynn
13. Jordan Morris
14. Matt Costello
15. Eoghan Frayne"
If Kinsella is injured then it's either Conor Gray or Keith Curtis, personally would have Conor Gray as he has gotten miles better since his last injury in February 2025

Dunshaughlin4keegan (Meath) - Posts: 23 - 19/01/2026 13:47:38    2651888

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All things considered, we realistically got a freak injection of quality young players over the last two to three seasons - Frayne, Rafferty, Caufield, Kinsella, and Duke/coffey at times. If we manage to add even one new genuine first-team player this season, that would be massive. That also could just be a fully fit jones or gray.

I expect a few new lads to make the bench - Charlie O'Connor, Kinlough, Martin, O'Connell,O'Connor, campion - but realistically, O'Connor/campion/kinlough( if fit) are the only ones I can see getting meaningful game time this year.

I think Duke's and Frayne's spots are definitely up for grabs. With a fully fit squad, there's real potential for one or even both of Jones and Flynn to feature in the forwards.

I don't see much change from 1 to 7 compared to last year. The midfield, though, could rotate week to week. I'd say one of Flynn or Menton starts every game, with Gray, McBride, and O'Neill rotating around them depending on form and opposition.
Forwards . In an ideal world, I'd see it as:

Jones, Kinsella, Costello(big hopes for kinlough) and think O'Connor is our super sub here

Full forward line is still Morris, Conlon, Frayne really. Although on club form Keith Curtis probably deserves to start.

What do we think, how will the team shape up ?

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 19/01/2026 22:39:56    2651989

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Replying To royalcounty1:  "All things considered, we realistically got a freak injection of quality young players over the last two to three seasons - Frayne, Rafferty, Caufield, Kinsella, and Duke/coffey at times. If we manage to add even one new genuine first-team player this season, that would be massive. That also could just be a fully fit jones or gray.

I expect a few new lads to make the bench - Charlie O'Connor, Kinlough, Martin, O'Connell,O'Connor, campion - but realistically, O'Connor/campion/kinlough( if fit) are the only ones I can see getting meaningful game time this year.

I think Duke's and Frayne's spots are definitely up for grabs. With a fully fit squad, there's real potential for one or even both of Jones and Flynn to feature in the forwards.

I don't see much change from 1 to 7 compared to last year. The midfield, though, could rotate week to week. I'd say one of Flynn or Menton starts every game, with Gray, McBride, and O'Neill rotating around them depending on form and opposition.
Forwards . In an ideal world, I'd see it as:

Jones, Kinsella, Costello(big hopes for kinlough) and think O'Connor is our super sub here

Full forward line is still Morris, Conlon, Frayne really. Although on club form Keith Curtis probably deserves to start.

What do we think, how will the team shape up ?"
For Saturday anyway, I think it'll be midfielder heavy as Derry will have Glass and Rogers.

1. Hogan
2.Lavin
3.Rafferty
4.O'Halloran
5.Keoghan
6. Coffey
7. Caufield
8. Flynn
9. Menton
10. McBride/Gray
11. Kinsella hopefully
12. Duke
13. Costello
14. Frayne
15. Morris

Wouldn't mind seeing O'Neill take one of the corner back spots or see Jack O'Connor come on at maybe at wing back or forward.

Royal.1 (Meath) - Posts: 43 - 20/01/2026 14:43:10    2652102

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