Meath Forum

Meath V Cork - All Ireland R1

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Replying To winatallcost:  "We need several better defensive minded players but surely we could be setup better to defend than we are currently. Brennan was also looking for corner backs after last year but still the same players used.
Disappointing how Rafferty has not built on last year and just doesn't seem comfortable. Showing dissent too causing frees to be brought forward. Our halfbackline doesn't seem to be offering anything defensively. Caulfield showed well for kickouts, got hands on ball and attacked well. Keoghan and Coffey offering very little going forward. The one on one defending is awful but players must be marked with intent and turned further out the field before getting the run on a defender. There is a real lack of leadership defensively. Cork are not a top team but the long away trip (team travelled by train on the day), the Cork support and long lay off may not have helped."
The team travelled down by bus and were based in the Clayton hotel, I don't know if they went down the night before or the day of, but they didn't get the train down.

Eoghan Frayne and Charlie O'Connor were spotted at Heuston Station getting a train down around 12 which I believe was delayed too, so he didn't arrive until 2 hours before kick off. But the rest of the team were already there.

Not sure why they didn't travel with the rest of them.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 172 - 25/05/2026 11:32:27    2675297

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Replying To Northroyal55:  "Would have to agree with the majority of this. Kiernan hasnt worked out but to be fair to him hes a pundit and has very little coaching experience. Was probably brought in as a "NAME" which rarely seems to work out. Kick outs a huge issue but again we have a goalkeeping coach inherited from Colms time and its still hard to see what the plan is. Still its no excuse for our lack of game smarts during the last 20 minutes,theres enough coaching experience in there with Gillespie & Scully. Hugely dissapointing and 3 weeks probably not long enough to fix the many issues exposed on Saturday."
Yeah you've probably hit the nail on the head there with the same goalkeeping coaching there's very little variation in what we do on kickouts, when you look at some of the top teams this year that have switched around their keepers to try different things yet we're just stuck in the mud. I'm not saying it's all SB's fault, the outfield players have to do much more to win kickouts but also there's many times you see players in space or get into a 2v1 situation and it's just not spotted.

Our lack of game smarts is compounded by our lack of vocal leaders on the pitch to ensure there's calm heads and everyone is clicking, that's not something you fix overnight but Frayne is probably the only one you can see giving instructions. It's meant that we've nearly been fully reliant on Kinsella & Banty to get us back into games when the chips were down, they did it through the league and nearly did it against Westmeath and again Saturday but you can't rely on individual brilliance because sooner or later you're gonna get found out, and we did.

I'd sooner we had the next game in 2 weeks to be honest, 3 weeks can be a long time off the back of two losses to try and get and keep the spirits up and get everyone firing. For the next game I'd really like to see us play with more aggressive/defensive wing forwards to choke up the middle of the pitch and stop teams running through us, the likes of Hickey/O'Neill/Curtis/Jones (if fit) at 10 & 12. We won't have a problem with scoring with our other four forwards and it'd also allow Jack Flynn to play higher up the pitch and get him back to nailing those 2 pointers.

LowerHogan (Meath) - Posts: 106 - 25/05/2026 12:06:00    2675319

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Management have to take a massive amount of responsibility for that 2nd half collapse, and in particular what happened after the red card. Conor Gillespie sat up at the back of the stand on a laptop scratching his head trying to figure it out just about sums up Saturday evening.

When you go a man up under the new rules, it's simply about tactically managing the game and taking advantage of that. We simply failed to do that. To allow Cork to continuously go short a man down on their own kickout is shambolic. Contrast that to our own kicks out, we couldn't find the free man. Where there was a free man, the kickout was a high floaty ball that gave Cork players time to get around him.

And when we did win the ball, instead of working it to the extra man, we played down the middle and resorted to pop shots for 2 that weren't on. Pure panic, with no clue on what to do.

Don't even get me started on the defense, Ronan Ryans' sole job was to man mark Sherlock and he scored 14 points, Rafferty roasted again, could go on all day. Management just sat there, didn't try anything. The subs had no impact, and we were just like headless chickens running around the place.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 172 - 25/05/2026 13:06:38    2675348

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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "The team travelled down by bus and were based in the Clayton hotel, I don't know if they went down the night before or the day of, but they didn't get the train down.

Eoghan Frayne and Charlie O'Connor were spotted at Heuston Station getting a train down around 12 which I believe was delayed too, so he didn't arrive until 2 hours before kick off. But the rest of the team were already there.

Not sure why they didn't travel with the rest of them."
Exams most likely for both. They are both in Maynooth?

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 1028 - 25/05/2026 14:08:57    2675386

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Overall, a disappointing display from RB's men on Saturday. Plenty of areas for improvement. I thought the big men were excellent on the day and it got me thinking that we may need to bring a bit more size back into the panel. It's not a sport for small men anymore and we need to be physical if we have any ambitions this year.

I think bringing the likes of Harry O'Higgins back into the mix could be the way forward. I wonder has RB approached McGill or Gavin McCoy? It would be great to see them back in a Meath jersey.

Hopefully RB gives the lads a week off to reset and go at it again next week.

RegionalsGuru (Meath) - Posts: 59 - 25/05/2026 14:41:35    2675404

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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "The team travelled down by bus and were based in the Clayton hotel, I don't know if they went down the night before or the day of, but they didn't get the train down.

Eoghan Frayne and Charlie O'Connor were spotted at Heuston Station getting a train down around 12 which I believe was delayed too, so he didn't arrive until 2 hours before kick off. But the rest of the team were already there.

Not sure why they didn't travel with the rest of them."
They were all on the 11am train, I'd family on the same train and were sending me pics. Not sure who told you they got a bus but it's incorrect

LowerHogan (Meath) - Posts: 106 - 25/05/2026 15:13:57    2675424

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I wonder will there be an all out attempt to improve the porous defence of the last few matches. If not it wont make much difference how we travel. Maybe thats too harsh but its true.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1316 - 25/05/2026 15:38:18    2675444

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There's an interesting review/analysis of this game (& the Kerry/Donegal one) on 'The Football Pod' by (Tommy Rooney MC & his 2 former All Ireland winning contributors James O'Donoghue & Paddy Andrews).
(I have no affiliation, just a regular listener to this very entertaining Football Pod)

Inmo points are made by them (in everyday language) about the stage of development which the current Meath team is at & how great they can be to watch with exciting chances taken. Also Meath atm have an all or nothing approach & take spectacular low percentage shots for these exciting efforts. However, a current lack of guile, game management & humdrum graft during games appears to be hurting Meaths results with games like Saturdays v Cork being played in 10 minute spurts and that a more cautious approach to overall game mgmt is needed by all the team to progress to the current (shown by Donegal) level .
I CANT wait for this Meath team to realise their full potential as I'm biaised, I believe it will be a thing of great joy for supporters based on the glimpses of spectacular play shown in the League this year and last year.
I know its the elite level now & Consistent hard graft by all players is also needed to win games ( no spectators allowed on the team)
In the meantime, frustrating as it may be for us , please support this Meath squad of players as they seek to find a way to realise All Ireland winning potential.

meath1967 (Meath) - Posts: 64 - 25/05/2026 16:00:45    2675471

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Replying To LowerHogan:  "They were all on the 11am train, I'd family on the same train and were sending me pics. Not sure who told you they got a bus but it's incorrect"
Fair enough, I had heard they travelled via bus, I know they went home straight after it anyway and had their pre match meetings in the Clayton.

But regardless, is it not a bit bizzare to be taking the train down on match day? I know Robbie said they stood over last time and it upset the routine, but Cork is a long journey, train or no train.

If you're Jordan Morris and you're travelling from Kingscourt/Nobber, it's taking you the best part of 2 hours to get to Hueston Station, then you had to sit on a train for another nearly 3 hours.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 172 - 25/05/2026 16:14:31    2675484

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Replying To nobull456:  "I wonder will there be an all out attempt to improve the porous defence of the last few matches. If not it wont make much difference how we travel. Maybe thats too harsh but its true."
That's fair enough, apart from our scoring rate things in general remain the same, Cork dominated around the middle and allowed pick up so much breaking ball, we allowed them get kick outs away even with the extra man and they put pressure on our kickouts which cut off supply to forwards at source. Man marking Sherlock not that hard as he stay's in and around scoring zone but we failed badly in closing him down. Sideline found wanting on Saturday with Cleary coming out on top. As with Westmeath our backs failed to win their battles and as a unit even wourse. Caulfield apart changes needed, no point going out with same plan next day because result is lightly to be the same. Not giving up just yet but need serious work over next few weeks.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2255 - 25/05/2026 16:49:36    2675507

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So disappointed with that outing. It's hard to see any ships being rectified going into the next game. Now it'll change a few days before the game and it's pure emotions but my over whelming feeling right now is I almost wish the season was over.

Its just inexcusable to loose that game.I hope they can pull themselves together and really rattle someone. Right now a nice team to watch and play against and that is all.

Are we the only team in the country that can score 1.6 in 7 mins, 27 point total, concede 9 in 10 mins and 30 in total. With an extra man for 20 mins?

Just so naive with the extra man- they ran out of ideas and puff and they STILL should have won.

Positives. obviously banty,kinsella (even clearly not full fit), charlie O'Connor industrious, 2 point kicking. Morris foot passing, caufields running.

Negatives, shot selection, no short kickouts when actually needed, kicking 50.50 balls from placed balls, fouling in the first half.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 108 - 25/05/2026 19:56:27    2675544

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Replying To LowerHogan:  "Yeah you've probably hit the nail on the head there with the same goalkeeping coaching there's very little variation in what we do on kickouts, when you look at some of the top teams this year that have switched around their keepers to try different things yet we're just stuck in the mud. I'm not saying it's all SB's fault, the outfield players have to do much more to win kickouts but also there's many times you see players in space or get into a 2v1 situation and it's just not spotted.

Our lack of game smarts is compounded by our lack of vocal leaders on the pitch to ensure there's calm heads and everyone is clicking, that's not something you fix overnight but Frayne is probably the only one you can see giving instructions. It's meant that we've nearly been fully reliant on Kinsella & Banty to get us back into games when the chips were down, they did it through the league and nearly did it against Westmeath and again Saturday but you can't rely on individual brilliance because sooner or later you're gonna get found out, and we did.

I'd sooner we had the next game in 2 weeks to be honest, 3 weeks can be a long time off the back of two losses to try and get and keep the spirits up and get everyone firing. For the next game I'd really like to see us play with more aggressive/defensive wing forwards to choke up the middle of the pitch and stop teams running through us, the likes of Hickey/O'Neill/Curtis/Jones (if fit) at 10 & 12. We won't have a problem with scoring with our other four forwards and it'd also allow Jack Flynn to play higher up the pitch and get him back to nailing those 2 pointers."
Who would be the 4 scoring forwards you would start, assume Kinsella and Banty are certs? Not sure the others justify enough yet to replace a Costello, Morris or Frayne. A fit Jones would be a plus but he coulf replace Menton or O'Connor. Expect Flynn to start next day if fit. Caulfield was by far Meath's best back and most of his good work was running forward. Rafferty and Coffey have regressed alot this year. Keoghan who has been a brilliant servant really looks out of sorts too. Alternatives do not look ideal at the moment. Killian Smyth a possibility but was injured. Adam McDonnell a good versatile player but management seem not inclined to take chances with inexperienced players.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 1028 - 25/05/2026 21:06:44    2675559

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Who has actually been our best defender this season? Seamus Lavin has only had 1 bad game which was the league final but wasn't at his best Saturday either. Costello needs more game time as he has been out of action since February

Dunshaughlin4keegan (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 25/05/2026 23:26:49    2675580

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Replying To Dunshaughlin4keegan:  "Who has actually been our best defender this season? Seamus Lavin has only had 1 bad game which was the league final but wasn't at his best Saturday either. Costello needs more game time as he has been out of action since February"
Honestly? None of them - don't think any of them have consistently hit anything beyond a 7 out of 10. Even the games we won in the league we conceded a lot of scores. Louth and Derry conceded less than us in the league but our scoring got us out of jail. Now the intensity has increased and we can't paper over the cracks by outscoring teams. We're too nice - players and.management. Not enough dog in them. I know they're a young team but a reality check is needed if they want to compete at the top table. I do think we'll see a big performance the next day - after the highs of last summer and spring they won't want to go out with a whimper. The problem is that we'll be playing another team in the exact same situation so it still might not be good enough.

gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 205 - 26/05/2026 09:59:56    2675621

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Replying To seadog54:  "That's fair enough, apart from our scoring rate things in general remain the same, Cork dominated around the middle and allowed pick up so much breaking ball, we allowed them get kick outs away even with the extra man and they put pressure on our kickouts which cut off supply to forwards at source. Man marking Sherlock not that hard as he stay's in and around scoring zone but we failed badly in closing him down. Sideline found wanting on Saturday with Cleary coming out on top. As with Westmeath our backs failed to win their battles and as a unit even wourse. Caulfield apart changes needed, no point going out with same plan next day because result is lightly to be the same. Not giving up just yet but need serious work over next few weeks."
Sherlock was man marked, Ronan Ryan was literally stuck to him like glue all day, that was his one job. Still allowed him to kick 14 points

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 172 - 26/05/2026 11:51:18    2675680

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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "Sherlock was man marked, Ronan Ryan was literally stuck to him like glue all day, that was his one job. Still allowed him to kick 14 points"
Thats says alot so.....

Holymoly#6 (Meath) - Posts: 57 - 26/05/2026 12:36:34    2675703

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Replying To Holymoly#6:  "Thats says alot so....."
In fairness several defenders have shown poor standards of defending this year. It seems very poor attempts at dispossesing the forward by standing way to far off .NEVER any attempts to block a shot because the defender is too far off the attacker Our defending has simply not been up to standard...No question ......We won matches because we have very good long range 2 point shooters ...even with poor defending. We are in with the big boys now where every ball is there to be won ,or at least to be won back
Any player who stands back repeatedly from defending should be taken off ,as he does not deserve the jersey The annoying thing is this team shows great potential to improve but if shortcomings like poor defending are not dealt with now we can forget it More annoying still is this problem CAN be fixed

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1316 - 26/05/2026 14:19:38    2675753

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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "Sherlock was man marked, Ronan Ryan was literally stuck to him like glue all day, that was his one job. Still allowed him to kick 14 points"
Lads, with the spare man you should have doubled on him around the arc. Your defensive frailties were laid bare in last year's semi final, I don't believe you have addressed them. Yes you will score as you have a very good attacking threat, but you will continue to leak huge scores unless defense is properly addressed

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 606 - 26/05/2026 14:22:01    2675757

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "Lads, with the spare man you should have doubled on him around the arc. Your defensive frailties were laid bare in last year's semi final, I don't believe you have addressed them. Yes you will score as you have a very good attacking threat, but you will continue to leak huge scores unless defense is properly addressed"
Defense is an issue, but I think it's just more Meath completely mismanaged the extra man, and didn't know what to do and were just panicking.

Also Cork weren't much better defensively either btw, shipping 1-21 from play - with Meath conceded 0-19 from open play, And if that goal goes in on the stroke of half time it's an 11 point lead and probably game over. Cork did have a few goal chances to be fair too.

But think with Meath we foul a lot in the scoring zone, Cork had a number of tap over frees because of fouls that didn't need to happen - and we stood off Sherlock way too much. Give a player of that quality too much space and he will destroy you.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 172 - 26/05/2026 15:57:29    2675804

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Hopefully they can pull something out of the fire the next day. Menton and Keogan will hardly be back next year. It would be nice to see them both go out on a positive performance. We could get Kerry the next day but sure so what. Not much point lingering if you're not up for it.

atta (Meath) - Posts: 716 - 26/05/2026 16:25:15    2675820

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