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Replying To winatallcost: "I think you can't exclude a goalkeeper in modern game as one of most important players to would put Brennan on that list. Probably would then consider a midfielder and in Meath's case that would be Jack Flynn for his all round game. For Meath Kinsella who is a playmaker, his winning of breaking ball and scoring would be the third." Brennan is a good shout, is vital in terms of kickouts and his 2 point scoring ability. Think we would survive without Flynn with Menton & McBride and Costello to come back plus the likes of Gray, Duke, O'Neill & O'Connor on the bench. It's inevitable that we're going to lose players to injury over the summer but Robbie & co have done a great job on strengthening the panel.
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 149 - 15/04/2026 16:50:24
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Replying To gwanyagudthing: "Brennan is a good shout, is vital in terms of kickouts and his 2 point scoring ability. Think we would survive without Flynn with Menton & McBride and Costello to come back plus the likes of Gray, Duke, O'Neill & O'Connor on the bench. It's inevitable that we're going to lose players to injury over the summer but Robbie & co have done a great job on strengthening the panel." Brennan has been excellent for most of league, however i would argue Hogan is more than adequate replacement. Kinsella would be top of my list, Think he's so pivotal to how we play, he works incredibly hard, good on breaks , scores and can set up scores. Don't think we quite have a player than does all four to his level.
Faithfulmeath (Meath) - Posts: 60 - 15/04/2026 17:47:10
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Replying To Faithfulmeath: "I agree, Westmeath are good around the middle 8, Wallace and Whittaker are excellent. Meath currently isn't over-reliant on any single player, which I think is one of their greatest strengths. That's not to say we don't have any marquee players; Morris and Costello can create moments out of nothing, quickly followed by Joc and Kinsella.
Who would you view as the three most important players for a successful championship?" Ciaran Caulfield is key. When we need him most, notice how he will be getting up and down the field. Morris has become more consistent which is what he needed to introduce as he's all the talent. And Kinsella has matured at such a fast rate. His ability to always make the right decision and execute is incredible.
Listened to Jack O'Shea podcast on BBC and he made a good point - you need 3 top class forwards to win top honors. Morris, Kinsella and Matty Costello I think fall in that bracket for us with a decent support cast.
NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 105 - 15/04/2026 18:41:16
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Replying To Faithfulmeath: "It's a good take, I think Coffey is still underrated. He is absolutely excellent, covering a mountain of ground. I think we have far greater depth in midfield now than maybe early June last year, thanks to players playing better and injuries.
Defensively, I think it might be an issue if we pick up one or two injuries in the backs, especially the fullback line; we might be forced to take players from other positions. Besides Ronan Ryan and Keoghan, who's next in on full back line? Adam o neill? muldoon?" Great second paragraph.. we're good between the sticks and from 8-15 and depth
We've issues galore at the back and our full back line got exposed v Donegal last year and v cork in the league final. I think we're missing a controller at 6, I don't think Rafferty is a FB and lack depth if there are two or three injuries. Look through the league and it's the same six plus Ryan and Smith played almost all of it. Rafferty imho is a great corner back, tracker to go with a guy but he's been welll of the performance he had at the end of last season. Lavin and O'Halloran got exposed by Cork, and teams like Donegal and Kerry with 3-4 serious forwards were not well matched up. Keoghy is still a great player who owes us nothing but even he's showing some legs. Coffey and Caulfield are some specimens and can run for days and they're the types you need in this game of end to end but neither have that ability to sit at 6 and cut things out before they even happen .
Hope that doesn't sound like shots at anyone , not intended at all.. but if the team wants to push on we could do with adding a tight corner back (hopefully O'Halloran can improve) and controller for 3 or 6 and quality depth. In 87-88 and 96-99 we'd guys at 3&6 who could read the game, knew when to attack a ball and when to hold the position and cut things out before they even developed. I accept the game is slightly different now, but the principle still applies.
Depth chart for me would be
2 Lavin Smith Ennis
3 Rafferty Ryan Dwane
4 O'Halloran Muldoon Garrigan
5 Keoghan Hickey McDonnell
6 Coffey O'Neill O'Regan
7 Caulfield Harkin McConnell
Lot of guys there who are question marks in that Smith is a rookie, Muldoon has no game time, Harkin hasn't been involved and Hickey and O'Neill are seen as wing forwards who can come back and defend. The third choices bar have barley had a minute of competitive football for Meath.
apologies if I'm missing someone very obvious. Ross Ryan probably is in the mix there too.
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1998 - 16/04/2026 00:02:55
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Replying To brian: "Great second paragraph.. we're good between the sticks and from 8-15 and depth
We've issues galore at the back and our full back line got exposed v Donegal last year and v cork in the league final. I think we're missing a controller at 6, I don't think Rafferty is a FB and lack depth if there are two or three injuries. Look through the league and it's the same six plus Ryan and Smith played almost all of it. Rafferty imho is a great corner back, tracker to go with a guy but he's been welll of the performance he had at the end of last season. Lavin and O'Halloran got exposed by Cork, and teams like Donegal and Kerry with 3-4 serious forwards were not well matched up. Keoghy is still a great player who owes us nothing but even he's showing some legs. Coffey and Caulfield are some specimens and can run for days and they're the types you need in this game of end to end but neither have that ability to sit at 6 and cut things out before they even happen .
Hope that doesn't sound like shots at anyone , not intended at all.. but if the team wants to push on we could do with adding a tight corner back (hopefully O'Halloran can improve) and controller for 3 or 6 and quality depth. In 87-88 and 96-99 we'd guys at 3&6 who could read the game, knew when to attack a ball and when to hold the position and cut things out before they even developed. I accept the game is slightly different now, but the principle still applies.
Depth chart for me would be
2 Lavin Smith Ennis
3 Rafferty Ryan Dwane
4 O'Halloran Muldoon Garrigan
5 Keoghan Hickey McDonnell
6 Coffey O'Neill O'Regan
7 Caulfield Harkin McConnell
Lot of guys there who are question marks in that Smith is a rookie, Muldoon has no game time, Harkin hasn't been involved and Hickey and O'Neill are seen as wing forwards who can come back and defend. The third choices bar have barley had a minute of competitive football for Meath.
apologies if I'm missing someone very obvious. Ross Ryan probably is in the mix there too." Good analysis and I agree with a lot of it - we have good backs when it comes to joining attacks but we're short 2 backs in my opinion in terms of the defensive duties. As things stand, it could be the difference between being a top 6/8 team and a top 3/4 team. I do think Rafferty will improve as the season goes on though and will learn more abut the role too. Have to remember he hasn't played that much inter county football. Coffey will learn and improve too. I expect Robbie & Co are well aware of what is needed and will put a plan in place over the next couple of seasons. My sense is that the group will be targeting competing for an All Ireland in 2028 so there is some time to put the pieces in place but planning needs to start now (if not already).
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 149 - 16/04/2026 11:24:54
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Replying To brian: "Great second paragraph.. we're good between the sticks and from 8-15 and depth
We've issues galore at the back and our full back line got exposed v Donegal last year and v cork in the league final. I think we're missing a controller at 6, I don't think Rafferty is a FB and lack depth if there are two or three injuries. Look through the league and it's the same six plus Ryan and Smith played almost all of it. Rafferty imho is a great corner back, tracker to go with a guy but he's been welll of the performance he had at the end of last season. Lavin and O'Halloran got exposed by Cork, and teams like Donegal and Kerry with 3-4 serious forwards were not well matched up. Keoghy is still a great player who owes us nothing but even he's showing some legs. Coffey and Caulfield are some specimens and can run for days and they're the types you need in this game of end to end but neither have that ability to sit at 6 and cut things out before they even happen .
Hope that doesn't sound like shots at anyone , not intended at all.. but if the team wants to push on we could do with adding a tight corner back (hopefully O'Halloran can improve) and controller for 3 or 6 and quality depth. In 87-88 and 96-99 we'd guys at 3&6 who could read the game, knew when to attack a ball and when to hold the position and cut things out before they even developed. I accept the game is slightly different now, but the principle still applies.
Depth chart for me would be
2 Lavin Smith Ennis
3 Rafferty Ryan Dwane
4 O'Halloran Muldoon Garrigan
5 Keoghan Hickey McDonnell
6 Coffey O'Neill O'Regan
7 Caulfield Harkin McConnell
Lot of guys there who are question marks in that Smith is a rookie, Muldoon has no game time, Harkin hasn't been involved and Hickey and O'Neill are seen as wing forwards who can come back and defend. The third choices bar have barley had a minute of competitive football for Meath.
apologies if I'm missing someone very obvious. Ross Ryan probably is in the mix there too." Depth chart looks accurate, I think the only one you might have missed is Ciaran Mccarrick. He's on the panel and a right good player. I'm a bit surprised himself or Adam Mcdonnell haven't made the 26 in any game yet.
redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 421 - 16/04/2026 13:58:39
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Replying To brian: "Great second paragraph.. we're good between the sticks and from 8-15 and depth
We've issues galore at the back and our full back line got exposed v Donegal last year and v cork in the league final. I think we're missing a controller at 6, I don't think Rafferty is a FB and lack depth if there are two or three injuries. Look through the league and it's the same six plus Ryan and Smith played almost all of it. Rafferty imho is a great corner back, tracker to go with a guy but he's been welll of the performance he had at the end of last season. Lavin and O'Halloran got exposed by Cork, and teams like Donegal and Kerry with 3-4 serious forwards were not well matched up. Keoghy is still a great player who owes us nothing but even he's showing some legs. Coffey and Caulfield are some specimens and can run for days and they're the types you need in this game of end to end but neither have that ability to sit at 6 and cut things out before they even happen .
Hope that doesn't sound like shots at anyone , not intended at all.. but if the team wants to push on we could do with adding a tight corner back (hopefully O'Halloran can improve) and controller for 3 or 6 and quality depth. In 87-88 and 96-99 we'd guys at 3&6 who could read the game, knew when to attack a ball and when to hold the position and cut things out before they even developed. I accept the game is slightly different now, but the principle still applies.
Depth chart for me would be
2 Lavin Smith Ennis
3 Rafferty Ryan Dwane
4 O'Halloran Muldoon Garrigan
5 Keoghan Hickey McDonnell
6 Coffey O'Neill O'Regan
7 Caulfield Harkin McConnell
Lot of guys there who are question marks in that Smith is a rookie, Muldoon has no game time, Harkin hasn't been involved and Hickey and O'Neill are seen as wing forwards who can come back and defend. The third choices bar have barley had a minute of competitive football for Meath.
apologies if I'm missing someone very obvious. Ross Ryan probably is in the mix there too." This is a great post. I've asked about Liam Kelly of Ratoath in previous posts but never heard an answer from anyone. Surprised the winning under 20 captain in 2024 and this year's DCU full back never comes up for mention. I've not got a club championship view from abroad so don't know if there's something I'm missing!
MeathAbroad (Meath) - Posts: 184 - 17/04/2026 12:32:54
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Replying To MeathAbroad: "This is a great post. I've asked about Liam Kelly of Ratoath in previous posts but never heard an answer from anyone. Surprised the winning under 20 captain in 2024 and this year's DCU full back never comes up for mention. I've not got a club championship view from abroad so don't know if there's something I'm missing!" On Kelly, I don't think he has done enough at club level to justify being in the discussion. I saw him 3 times last year and when the crunch game against Summerhill came around, McGill was fullback and the go to man. However his ceiling is very high and I think he could be the next Meath fullback in the next 2 or 3 years if he continues on the path he is on.
I would like to see him at club level and handle all the different types of full forwards from a speedy Finnegan or Finnerty, a clever mover like Frayne or Lenihan or that big lad like Ward or Tormey.
UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 469 - 17/04/2026 16:08:57
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Replying To brian: "Great second paragraph.. we're good between the sticks and from 8-15 and depth
We've issues galore at the back and our full back line got exposed v Donegal last year and v cork in the league final. I think we're missing a controller at 6, I don't think Rafferty is a FB and lack depth if there are two or three injuries. Look through the league and it's the same six plus Ryan and Smith played almost all of it. Rafferty imho is a great corner back, tracker to go with a guy but he's been welll of the performance he had at the end of last season. Lavin and O'Halloran got exposed by Cork, and teams like Donegal and Kerry with 3-4 serious forwards were not well matched up. Keoghy is still a great player who owes us nothing but even he's showing some legs. Coffey and Caulfield are some specimens and can run for days and they're the types you need in this game of end to end but neither have that ability to sit at 6 and cut things out before they even happen .
Hope that doesn't sound like shots at anyone , not intended at all.. but if the team wants to push on we could do with adding a tight corner back (hopefully O'Halloran can improve) and controller for 3 or 6 and quality depth. In 87-88 and 96-99 we'd guys at 3&6 who could read the game, knew when to attack a ball and when to hold the position and cut things out before they even developed. I accept the game is slightly different now, but the principle still applies.
Depth chart for me would be
2 Lavin Smith Ennis
3 Rafferty Ryan Dwane
4 O'Halloran Muldoon Garrigan
5 Keoghan Hickey McDonnell
6 Coffey O'Neill O'Regan
7 Caulfield Harkin McConnell
Lot of guys there who are question marks in that Smith is a rookie, Muldoon has no game time, Harkin hasn't been involved and Hickey and O'Neill are seen as wing forwards who can come back and defend. The third choices bar have barley had a minute of competitive football for Meath.
apologies if I'm missing someone very obvious. Ross Ryan probably is in the mix there too." Menton wing back worth considering, always thought that was his best position
bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1849 - 17/04/2026 19:37:45
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Replying To UsernameInvalid: "On Kelly, I don't think he has done enough at club level to justify being in the discussion. I saw him 3 times last year and when the crunch game against Summerhill came around, McGill was fullback and the go to man. However his ceiling is very high and I think he could be the next Meath fullback in the next 2 or 3 years if he continues on the path he is on.
I would like to see him at club level and handle all the different types of full forwards from a speedy Finnegan or Finnerty, a clever mover like Frayne or Lenihan or that big lad like Ward or Tormey." Good to hear this context. Thanks!
MeathAbroad (Meath) - Posts: 184 - 17/04/2026 20:18:59
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Extremely disappointing but the same failings were there today as other days but we got away with them in the league .
I haven't seen any improvement in the Meath defence this year we were opened up today and id say the Westmeath 3rd goal was as poor as ive seen .
I dont know how many of their kickouts they got away under the stand in the second half including the last one when we needed to win it surely that avenue should have been cut off after it happened a couple of times .
I thought Ronan Ryan deserved to come in today and also fresh legs in around the middle a lot earlier Menton was out on his feet early in the second half and yet it was Mcbride and Oconnor that came off .
Game changed early on a dreadful referee decision stone wall Penalty im not sure who was dragged down Westmeath went straight down the pitch and score a goal how the ref waved the play on was shocking.
Until we sort out our defence we will be a great team to watch but always going to concede big scores especially when we concede 4-18 to a div 3 side .
Royalmc (Meath) - Posts: 28 - 19/04/2026 17:44:46
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Disappointing result to say the least. The Defense was probably the question mark coming into the championship, and it was probably fair enough.
Faithfulmeath (Meath) - Posts: 60 - 19/04/2026 17:49:44
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The Royaldunne will be quiet in Westmeath for a bit! He was over in another forum during the week saying Meath would win well. Some match. I thought Jack Flynn was unreal for Meath again. Your goalie really struggled today.. the game was evened up with it not being in Croker.
Matthew (None) - Posts: 1119 - 19/04/2026 18:05:11
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Very disappointing. Started ok although left a few scores behind us. Westmeath keeper started poorly and then got injured which should have been a setback for them but they stepped up the intensity and we couldn't match it until the last 10/15 minutes. Several of our key players weren't at their best - Morris, Kinsella, Caulfield & O'Connor to name a few. We still have the forwards to cause any team trouble when they click but have to say there are clearly defensive problems now that have to be sorted - we're giving away too many goal chances. I think we need to consider a change of personnel back there - the current blend just isn't working. Banty has to start the next day - yes, he's a great impact player but he's also one of our most reliable scorers now. Keogan looked a bit off the pace.
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 149 - 19/04/2026 18:08:33
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Danagerous in round pne of qualifiers for any provincial winner meath kerry in killarney if kerry munster or donegal vs meath the pressure wpuld be on meath then
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1281 - 19/04/2026 18:45:07
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Replying To gwanyagudthing: "Very disappointing. Started ok although left a few scores behind us. Westmeath keeper started poorly and then got injured which should have been a setback for them but they stepped up the intensity and we couldn't match it until the last 10/15 minutes. Several of our key players weren't at their best - Morris, Kinsella, Caulfield & O'Connor to name a few. We still have the forwards to cause any team trouble when they click but have to say there are clearly defensive problems now that have to be sorted - we're giving away too many goal chances. I think we need to consider a change of personnel back there - the current blend just isn't working. Banty has to start the next day - yes, he's a great impact player but he's also one of our most reliable scorers now. Keogan looked a bit off the pace." Without a doubt the set up at the back needs changing under Kernan our defence or our way of defending hasn't improved its not all our backs fault .
The 3rd goal today was defensively as bad as it gets i just couldnt understand the position Kinsella went into he gave Rafferty no help .
We are a great team to watch we go out to play football and we allow teams to play but that means we concede to much and today the clock bet us .
Royalmc (Meath) - Posts: 28 - 19/04/2026 20:05:43
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Really disappointing on the day and unfortunately huge learnings required and even more frustratingly, failings that were there last year and throughout the league this year unaddressed. To start with Meath took too many pop shots early on when dominating Westmeath kickout. At 2 pts to 1 ahead, McBride had half a goal chance which was saved. Their keeper got badly injured and there was a prolonged stoppage. Brennan who came up for 45 took it from wrong place and much further right than it should have been taken and fluffed it. Westmeath went down the field, got the next score and Brennan's kickouts were either won by Westmeath or taken short, putting the team under serious pressure. Jack Flynn and McBride were dominant at midfield but for some reason our kickouts continued to go short.
Westmeath were continually outworking Meath players around the field with the goals really messy. For both goals the ball hit the ground and a Westmeath player was allowed to pick it up and go again. Fullbackline getting alot of flack but halfbackline just a culpable individually and collectively. Not one of bsck 6 or keeper could be happy today at all.
The first 10 mins of 2nd half was even more disappointing with not the expected fire needed after a poor first half. Changes should have been made at the break.
Anytime Westmeath had possession, we had no hope of overturning them or having pressure on their shots.
We contiuned to make handling errors or taking wrong options. Meath even got it back to 2 pts with a couple of minutes left but again an overcarrying error from Caulfield cost us.
The only positives that can be taken I suppose was the impact of bench while Jack Flynn was by far Meath's best player. Kinsella had a good last 10 minutes and again Banty proved he should start or at least play more than he is currently. Its certainly back to the drawing board and expect a different team and panel being picked for All-Ireland series. Too many good players not having enough involvement while team selection was too consistant throughout league. In the long haul it may be a good thing but a huge bump in the road.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 981 - 19/04/2026 20:08:16
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Leinster championship 2026 so yous were all sayin
Lolou37 (Louth) - Posts: 20 - 19/04/2026 21:37:12
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I wouldn't mind seeing a full back line of Keogan, Rafferty & Ryan. Half back line of Smyth, Coffey & Caulfield.
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 149 - 19/04/2026 21:43:24
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Replying To gwanyagudthing: "I wouldn't mind seeing a full back line of Keogan, Rafferty & Ryan. Half back line of Smyth, Coffey & Caulfield." Be 6 weeks before you see that
Lolou37 (Louth) - Posts: 20 - 19/04/2026 23:06:53
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