Personally I was putting alot of weight behind what would be shown in PT yesterday, rather than the opening 2 fixtures as this was potentially our last run out pre National League.

Posters talking about setting up like we are going to play against Dublin in the summer, is utter nonsense. You set out your philosophy at the beginning and adapt it to each team you play. Unfortunately Laois were very poor with a very weak team out and they still ran it close to the end. A New Year looks to have the same issues as the last few years, too small, outdated gameplan, general lack of quality. A snapshot in the lack of direction of the team is the plan around kickouts, there was none.
A couple of weeks out and Division 2 looks like it will be a massive massive wake up call both tactically and physically with so many trips over the border. As much as it pains me and I stand to be corrected, another stint in Division 3 beckons.

highking12 (Meath) - Posts: 184 - 11/01/2016 10:08:15    1815717

nothing too impressive at all in the two games so far.first half was spent trying to work the ball in for goal chances when we were in the scoring zone of the "D" and prob 6/7 points went a begging not unlike the game in omagh v Tyrone . Second half was much better although the goal chances were on and not taken . 1 was the totaly count of shoulders we gave in the whole game .And lets be honest if newman`s Goal was blocked the tread would taste a lot different .sullivan has put in 2 great shifts ,and i agree re Paddy ,i wonder is he our best choice going forward especially with games so tight he is averaging about 2 points to the opposition ,can we afford this ?

royalpainter (Meath) - Posts: 874 - 11/01/2016 10:08:48    1815719

Paddy's goalkeeping was generally better in his first few years in the role. Great under the high ball, good at saving penalties, his size would help in shot stopping and somewhat imposing for certain forwards given one-on-one situations. The main part of his game or selection was down to his long kick outs but that was when he had three to four target men to aim for and mix it up. We do not have that now and so mistakes are happening more frequently with fewer options and less movement outfield.

the earlier y

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 11/01/2016 10:27:56    1815728

Yes, I agree that our biggest problem yesterday was our loss of possession from kickouts which was a combination of inaccurate / inconsistent delivery from Paddy allied to the fact that we were relying on Harry for fielding and he didnt have as good a day yesterday which is understandable as he is still young and inexperienced. As stated above MOD has been very unlucky with midfielders and I do think that Conor Gillespie would have come good as a midfielder who could have competed with most in the county. Let's hope that Cian O'Brien / Ronan Jones can step up to the plate.

Regarding yesterday, it was great to get the win in spite of missing so many players and to give the players an additional competitive game against Louth. Some of the newer players did quite well considering we lost so much possession from the kickouts. Cillian O'Sullivan's return is a big bonus, needs more time to get to full fitness. I thought that Mickey Burke grafted hard and himself and Biggy Reilly were the main leaders on the pitch along with Keoghan. I thought Alan Douglas was steady on the wing and got a nice score. Sean Tobin got some good scores but I am not sure about his fitness for 70 minutes against the top teams. We all know that there are a myriad of reasons why meath are not the team that they were but this team (as with the hurlers) deserve our support and the reality is that the group have not played together much before so the Louth game is very important with the League coming up.

It's a big pity that we don't have the Ratoath / Curraha players available for the Louth game as I would love to see a team as close as possible to full strength playing that game. As has been said before the league of our big competition this year and preparation for it is hugely important.

On a side note, the crowd in Navan was poor considering both hurlers and footballers were playing good sides and it was a lovely day if a little cold. The GAA as a spectator sport has regressed and the average game does not get anything like the support it would have got 10/20 years ago while it has become much more difficult to get tickets for All-Irelands.

oldsam_newsam (Meath) - Posts: 638 - 11/01/2016 10:41:05    1815730

Bit of talk here about Paddy's kickouts and rightfully so.

Paddy to his credit is devoted to Meath football, he's been there a while now and it wouldn't be fair to challenge his commitment. The problem is though that the same problems persist, the Laois keeper yesterday didn't always find his man but at least he got on with it quickly and as a result found his man more than POR did.

Now granted he had better movement outfield than Paddy but these are the sort of things that management must make a clear effort to improve. Cluxton is the standard bearer when it comes to maintaining possession from the kickouts, it's a part of the game that has really moved on in the last 5 or so years. But sadly it also feels like another part if the game that other teams have moved along with and once again Meath is left trailing behind, maybe I'm wrong on that but it certainly looks to me like we're painfully slow to adapt to the modern game.

Ps, it's worth noting and I forgot to acknowledge it yesterday, Alan Douglas went up the field and kicked a great score. He's not a small player either so hopefully he can improve and maybe get a chance in the league.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 11/01/2016 12:18:23    1815770

I agree that kickouts are a serious problem.One thing about no finding your man,but how many scores did Laois score yesterday almost directly from a kickout?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 11/01/2016 12:59:46    1815796

I meant to add..

At the same time,Paddy can be indecisive and that is due to a lack of movement.Now management is here four years.You would think that would be addressed.Even though its the O'Byrne cup,when I see old habits,its worrying..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 11/01/2016 13:04:53    1815798

How come we are not trying new goalkeepers anyway after his shocking performance in Croke Park last year.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1284 - 11/01/2016 13:15:25    1815802

As these OBC matches are glorified trials for new/fringe players you would expect the team to play like a team picked in the schoolyard. But if they were to continue to do so in the league (lacking synergy) where we pick our strongest team available, then that is a sad state of affairs. They should have all the essentials covered and not be making basic errors. Other county teams not only plan better than us but do so with real attention to detail, leaving nothing to chance.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 11/01/2016 13:29:46    1815806

Ziggy

Well that's it ziggy, 4 years in and we're still seeing the same problems and that is worrying, particularly a problem like kickouts which really can be worked on.

I know it's only the O'Byrne cup but if we're still struggling with kickouts now then it goes without say we're going to struggle with them for the next few months as least, there's no evidence to suggest otherwise anyway.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 11/01/2016 14:08:02    1815814

Glas

I agree and we will know very early in the league too.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 11/01/2016 14:28:08    1815818

Showdown in Drogheda, we have gone back a lot over the last few years and a Div4 side v Div2 would be 12pts+ in your favour.

If we get within 6 pts, I would be happy enough.

MR (Louth) - Posts: 2570 - 11/01/2016 15:14:25    1815832

MR

Its the O'Byrne cup,so called league status does not matter. Louth are playing with confidence at the moment and at this stage of the season,I fancy Louth to win.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 11/01/2016 15:28:52    1815844

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:613 - 10/01/2016 17:38:05 1815619

Jimin as far as I know the winners of the Dubs and Longford will have home advantage in the final. Anyway it's only Jan and I'm already looking forward to the third Sunday in this month. Louth v Meath is happening alot sooner than I expected. Bring it on.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 11/01/2016 15:33:15    1815845

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

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts:146 - 10/01/2016 18:49:19 1

Apologies. Unaware of this when comment was being made.

db9 (Meath) - Posts: 283 - 11/01/2016 18:00:52    1815893

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 - 11/01/2016 18:24:18    1815899

Everyone is blaming the goal keeper and I would say that his short kick outs are poor, however in the second half for a period there were at least 6 possessions (in a row) in the middle of the field won by Laois from their own long kick out - I do not think we can blame our goal keeper for that. To win matches you need forwards who have a high work rate and who are prepared to track their opponents up the field. No defence can cope with midfielders and half backs running at them un-opposed as it is difficult to mark two players at the same time.

Most of the scores came through the middle and I thought the No 6 (who I do have good respect for with his commitment and full blooded approach) was the weakest of the half back line marking space. Any defender can pick up loose ball and go on a bit of a solos if he ignores the player he is supposed to be marking. I would try him in midfield as none of the new guys in that position (Rooney apart) have been successful.

On too many occasions the Laois goal keeper took quick short successful kick outs -where were the markers? Over passing the ball in the forwards, some very poor passing and not enough direct running with pace- two many slow players carrying the ball without quickly laying it off accurately- can we not hand pass the ball 2-3m?.
None of above is inferred as blaming any player but it is what I would be concentrating on to improve the team- not looking back to mistakes of past. Conditions are very difficult at this time of year and mistakes will be made. I wish the team the best of luck going forward and it was good to see the two goals scored at the end.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 11/01/2016 20:44:34    1815931

Any sign of strength and conditioning coach promised by 3 wise men?

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1839 - 11/01/2016 20:55:49    1815936

bert09

Have been wondering the same thing..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 11/01/2016 21:28:48    1815949

GlasagusOr, yep your right the O'Byrne cup is like a challenge match. But if a manger is in his fourth year there should be a basic system that players should be playing to.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1284 - 12/01/2016 10:32:50    1815984