Last weekend the team was released at 12:00 on Saturday so we might see something similar this weekend. On the team not being released in advance of Wednesday's game I wouldn't be too bothered by that as Mick probably couldn't finalise it until Wednesday due to seeing how fellas came out of Sunday's game and also due to the fact a number of those who played were away earlier in the week.

Looking back on Wednesday it would be incredibly harsh to draw conclusions on any player based on the game as the conditions were so poor with the wind and rain meaning good football was next to impossible to play. Having said that there are four things I would like to elaborate on after the game.

Our centre back, Cathal Finn, looked a bit on the small side for a central role and when someone like Brian Power is available Finn may be better suited to a role either on the wing or in the corner at this level.

On the forty Bobby O'Brien looked comfortable with the step up from club football and was constantly looking to get on the ball. One drawback would be an unnecessary yellow card and lengthy chat with the referee when receiving it. Picking up an unnecessary yellow puts a player under an amount of pressure for the remainder of the game.

At wing forward it was excellent to see Cillian O'Sullivan back on a football field and hopefully he is over his injury problems now. I was also glad to see him withdrawn at half time as his comeback needs to be carefully managed with slow and steady being the motto.

Moving into the inside forward line I would like to see Michael Newman play with a bit more aggression. I generally get the feeling watching him that there is another 20% in him but due to what I perceive to be his languid nature of play that 20% is remaining bottled up. In his defence though I see one poster commenting that with the full forward line which lined out we should have been scoring more Newman was actually withdrawn at half time which that poster may not have been aware of at the time.

jackhackett (Meath) - Posts: 773 - 08/01/2016 09:36:28    1815240

jack - Finn did well enough over the games I saw him in- he is a centre back -not a wing back and there is were he should be tried. I do not judge a player by his size. Players should be played in their best positions where possible without trying to facilitate other players and this business of playing forwards as defenders does not work

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 08/01/2016 14:07:21    1815314

browncows

I agree,but if we continue to play half forwards who don't track back,it rarely matters who you have at centre back.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 08/01/2016 14:48:27    1815322

Ziggy - totally agree with you regarding half forwards and I would add full and corner forwards to that.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 08/01/2016 15:00:08    1815328

I have to agree with jackhackett Finn is too small for centre back and I expect Brian power to make that his spot this year , I also think that Finn would make a really good wing back or comer back , players regularly play different position for county then club most players playing on county team play a different role for there club.

head4dblackspot (Meath) - Posts: 513 - 08/01/2016 19:15:28    1815383

Browncows I'm not mentioning forwards playing as defenders, simply stating that at county level I think the chap may be best suited to a wing back or corner back role.

Ziggy - I've noticed Pauric Harnan has been operating at centre forward for UCD in the 3rd Level League and I would imagine he'll be in the half forward line and given a brief of doing the dirty work covering back and it's conceivable Ruairi O'Coilean could be given a similar brief if he breaks into the side.

That would leave 4 from Graham Reilly, Andrew Tormey (if used as a forward), Brian McMahon, Eamon Wallace, Joey Wallace, Bobby O'Brien, Michael Newman, Cillian O'Sullivan, James McEntee and Donal Lenihan to contest the scorer in chief roles up front.

jackhackett (Meath) - Posts: 773 - 08/01/2016 20:35:16    1815397

cathal finn is twice as good as brian power im sorry lads

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 418 - 09/01/2016 12:17:24    1815430

redser

Honestly that is a silly comment to make..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 09/01/2016 13:04:13    1815439

He may not be twice as good but from what I have seen he is better and playing at higher level in his best position - I have to assume that his club would know his best position, certainly better than posters to a forum.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 09/01/2016 13:36:26    1815445

He looked good the only time I saw him. I'll take what club members. Say as I don't know anything else and they would.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 09/01/2016 14:32:54    1815451

See Alan Douglas also made his full debut too, how did he play anyone know? Would he be a contender for a place or just making up numbers

tuppy23 (Meath) - Posts: 154 - 09/01/2016 15:46:53    1815460

If its the guy im thinking of then he was ok not outstanding , but competent. Would need to see him more before making a definite comment.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 09/01/2016 17:01:35    1815476

Brownscows
The best players at club level always play up the middle
So it means nothing where they play for club
County is different
Donal keoghan doesn't play comer back for his club and its defo his best position
Many more examples.

head4dblackspot (Meath) - Posts: 513 - 09/01/2016 17:09:27    1815479

head4dblackspot- How do you know if he would make a good corner back or wind back-have you seen him play there?. He is playing well at CB and I only go by what I see not what I someone else thinks. The best players in present club football do not play up the middle and there are many examples of that- may have done so 20 years ago. Both players are very good young players and I would not judge any young player playing at this time of year and especially in muck. I wish them all the best of luck. It will be interesting to see how all the players get on in dry conditions when the pace speeds up. Some of the big defenders of past would have great difficulty competing in the modern game such is the pace.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 09/01/2016 17:48:29    1815488

My cousen who often goes with me to matches is from Dunboyne.He says Finn wouldn't make an Inter-county CB,but possibly at wing back.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 09/01/2016 18:21:06    1815494

Ziggy - I don't know what position most players would make, however I doubt your cousin would know either. You need more pace for wing back than possibly CB. Brennan who was not exactly a monster was a good CB for Dublin. One will not be able to judge positions or players very well until we get further on in the year with some dryer and faster conditions. Best of luck to all players and I just hope nobody gets injured.

RD Don't for get to bring the snack box with you and would you bring a bit extra for me as I had little breakfast this morning- safe journey to all

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 10/01/2016 10:13:01    1815561

I'll bring you a exta one lol.
Could someone tell me what's the entrance today? Is it through swiiming pool? Or brews hill? I'll be coming via athboy and usually park in omahonys but if its swimming pool ill park closer. Cheers to all and safe journey.
Hon the Royal.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 10/01/2016 10:48:11    1815563

O'Mahonys car park should be open.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 10/01/2016 11:54:06    1815572

Based on previous games I would expect the Commons Road entrance to be the only one open today. There won't be a big crowd expected.

jackhackett (Meath) - Posts: 773 - 10/01/2016 12:49:32    1815580

Great final few minutres to boost our scoring averages. Louth vs. Meath is happening sooner than we thought!

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 10/01/2016 15:58:27    1815593