Is it Louth we play next?


Overall it was a poor game,but at least we finished strong.

Thought the full back line was decent and Burke did a reasonable job at 6.Rooney looked tired in midfield,and although Reilly did well getting forward,he is not a midfielder.Disappointed with the full forward line despite getting 2-16.A bit like wednesday the players are unsure about what they should be doing.Cillian O'Sullivan did well.Overall its good to get another game.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 10/01/2016 16:24:38    1815595

Burke did a reasonable job at 6.
ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts:4277 - 10/01/2016 16:24:38 1

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I think that's Burke best position...he should be kept there every game

WhyTheLongFace (Meath) - Posts: 949 - 10/01/2016 16:39:40    1815598

I think you may be right about Burke.He and Power are the two contenders for 6 imo.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 10/01/2016 16:50:59    1815601

Thought Burke was decent at 6 didn't think any of the newcomers were too outstanding. Still worrying to see no new defensive plan as laois handpassed through the middle sometimes very easily. But good to see us finish strong hopefully it's something will see more of this year

shrek95 (Meath) - Posts: 77 - 10/01/2016 16:51:34    1815602

Yes Ziggy, Burke did well enough at 6 even though Donie KIngston is/was Laois's best player. So if McGill is full-back later on, they will have to play Keoghan as a corner back (not CHB) or our full back line will be a serious weak point in the league and championship. Could do with Menton back sooner rather than later for the half-back line. Graham Reilly is much more involved when playing centrally. He was very industrious throughout unlike the other night when he came on at half-time and played on the wing. I thought Cillian O'Sullivan did really well and if players around him picked off points instead of trying to create goal scoring chances early on, we would have been ahead at half time. Sean Tobin also did well as the game went on. Harry Rooney decent enough at midfield. Laois won most of the breaking/dirty ball for 3/4 of the match but despite been in and out of the game at #12, Darragh Smyth picked up some loose ball here and there. Mark Battersby is very lively so if intelligent ball is played into him he can offer something useful at corner forward (or impact sub). Dalton McDonagh is good at getting out in front and winning ball, just needs more strength and aggression to his game. Mickey Newman despite the goal needs to be more involved in general play.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 10/01/2016 16:54:35    1815603

Overall some decent performances from biggy burke keoghan osullivan , Douglas looked like a up and coming young lad, slightly disappointed with the aimless passing from one to another with no one wanting to take responsibility except biggy and osillivan . Tobin won't make starting 15 unless big improvement, Kingston tested the back line keoghan did ok but don't think he is a full back . Paddys kick outs are still a problem, biggy picked up a injury midway through first half and could have been substituted but carried on, when he wasn't scoring he was getting fouled for was enough frees, bit of deje vue with him in midfield like when we went on run in banty last year, he is not a midfielder in conventional sense but those blistering runs from centre cause serious problems for opposing team. Look the late goals glossed over a ordinary if workman like performance, but they also showed desire both from newmans free (how did it end in net?) to biggys fine drive along ground that a want to win and go futher in comp was there . That can only be a positive

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 10/01/2016 17:02:39    1815605

I think if Mod was to pull a bit of a master stroke early in the season.. I think he should bring back Chris o'conner,he was right to drop him,but its also right to bring him back,I would actually give him a game in the Louth match...might as well do it now and let him sink or swim,it could be his best move yet as a manger !

WhyTheLongFace (Meath) - Posts: 949 - 10/01/2016 17:08:18    1815607

Poor game overall it has to be said but at least we finished strong (something we rarely do under MOD) and qualified. Our kickouts are still a problem, Rooney is an excellent fielder but without Gillespie he' sort of on his own and Paddy's aim wasn't great today.

I agree with sentiments here that Burke was strong at 6, he's not a bad option for CHB, just a big block that's hard to get around. Be no harm if we had 2 mobile lads either side if him, D Tobin could certainly be one anyway.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 10/01/2016 17:10:07    1815609

Htaem yeah that's basically my view on it too.
I got to agree regarding chris O'Connor, I think the set up is perfect for him. Look as everyone knows I have connections to ballinabrackey and I can say with hand on heart he is their best player . Also he would slot in perfectly.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 10/01/2016 17:37:41    1815618

Notable performance was James O'Reilly who done well in his first outing. The same lack of direction can be seen in the forwards. I hope we won't see more of it in the league. Biggy was very economical and took his scores well as usual. Anyone know where the final will be held if we beat Louth and Dublin beat Longford?

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 10/01/2016 17:38:05    1815619

Team seem to lack confidence. Poor return not getting any goals until mickeys 13 yard free. Good to see tobin on frees and no messin bringing paddy up for frees. This is a critical area for us. Biggie and sully will draw fouls. We need a man to keep the scoreboard ticking.think tobin was solid enough and one of our better players against ucd. Sullivan is a great playmaker,intelligent, and well able to kick scores. Would be good to have a solid target man on inside forwards to reak havoc. Our defence needs a lot of work.

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1839 - 10/01/2016 17:40:22    1815621

Right so here's my initial opinion although it's early doors.........
.POR kickouts are a major issue and give away 3 to 5 pts a game
. Keoghan has to play corner back, he's exceptionally good there
.Alan Douglas looks a very serious option
. Rooney is nailed on first choice midfielder now
. Biggy.looks fit but he always does look good in fits and starts
. Great too have Cillian back and although he looks rusty.if he stays fit he's.a great option.for centre forward
. Tobin doesn't do enough for me I'm afraid
. Battersby in my opinion is far too small for intercounty football.

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1025 - 10/01/2016 17:47:08    1815622

Thought Burke was decent at 6 didn't think any of the newcomers were too outstanding. Still worrying to see no new defensive plan as laois handpassed through the middle sometimes very easily. But good to see us finish strong hopefully it's something will see more of this year

shrek95 (Meath) - Posts: 77 - 10/01/2016 17:51:08    1815625

I'm reasonably happy, lots to do still of course but overall I think there are more positives than negatives thus far. The way we ended the match was certainly pleasing, more of that attitude please, great to get another game as we need to hit the ground running in this Division 2 campaign and a local derby against the "Wee" lads and a possible game against the Dubs would be ideal preparation

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3763 - 10/01/2016 18:03:46    1815628

Lads talking about Chris O'Connor,but I thought Judge and Tormey had decent games in the corner.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 10/01/2016 18:17:05    1815631

Bert

Ya our forwards lacked any kind of interplay. I was disappointed with McDonagh and Lenihan.Battersby not good enough.

We have McEntee,McMahon and the two Wallaces to come back,so those lads need to show something now.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 10/01/2016 18:22:17    1815632

. Biggy.looks fit but he always does look good in fits and starts


He was huffing and puffing, hands on his knees after 10 minutes. Didnt do a lot of tracking back either. Gave up at 1 point. great going forward but...

db9 (Meath) - Posts: 283 - 10/01/2016 18:40:34    1815637

Is that game in Louth yea?

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1025 - 10/01/2016 18:48:16    1815638

db9.....asthmatics tend to huff and puff alot

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1025 - 10/01/2016 18:49:19    1815639

Yeah the finish was very heartening, which is something I don't think we can say too often under mod, credit where credit is due.
I want to see more of that attitude, yes still too much indecisiveness when we are up against a packed defense, which is what we will face so much of in league. .
Look all in all more positive than negative, this early in year is a good sign

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 10/01/2016 18:51:46    1815640