Lads, theres normally plenty of Challenge match between now & championship time for the Seniors. Pitch openings & so on, & there generally a good event & chance to see a few lads getting a last chance before the Dubs game. If any of ye know of any of these games coming up ere it'd be greatly appriciated if ye could just add the details to this thread. Thanks in advance.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 14/04/2009 20:25:35    257001

Don't know of any up-coming challange matches but we played Roscomman about two weeks ago in Kinnegad. Eamon put out almost a second string team. John Donegan and Brian Farrell were our best players and I heard Donegan has been called up to the panel since then.

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2003 - 15/04/2009 10:30:22    257475

Where's Donegan from?

BoyneView (Meath) - Posts: 60 - 15/04/2009 17:03:55    257993

donegans rathkenny isn't he. very good player but had awful luck with injuries over the years.

jaffacake (Meath) - Posts: 720 - 15/04/2009 17:21:18    258024

Donegan came on against the Dubs a couple of years ago, did well, many on this site at the time thought he would be a regular starter after that but faded away after that. Don't know if he was injured or what

updaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 1132 - 15/04/2009 19:48:13    258184

He's struggled badly with injuries ever since he broke into the team that time. But it looks like he's back to his best and Eamon O'Brien will know what he can do after having him at Rathkenny. Scored five great points against Trim in the league a few weeks ago. A better option than Ward for midfield in my opinion.

kennys_rath (Meath) - Posts: 80 - 15/04/2009 21:08:27    258267

There's more chance of me playing against Dublin than Donegan starting in midfield, he's just not tall enough. Ward & Craw have a good partnership built up now. JD was on the bench on Sunday last but his best bet would be wing back/wing fwd I would imagine.

Finnertys_Perm (Meath) - Posts: 440 - 16/04/2009 12:12:34    258825

Lads, Could Donegan be used at full forward against the dubs, they'll not have seen much of him plus EOB played him there a bit for rathkenny last season and he was getting a god few scores????
And as for him not being tall enough i remember him disrupting Ciaran Whelan something awful that day in '07 so no reason he couldn't play midfield, although think he'd be behind Ward, Crawford, Meade and probably Damo Sheridan..
Thoughts anyone.....

On another note good to see Eamonn using the open door policy for bring players in and out of the panel, keep it up i say

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1982 - 16/04/2009 15:48:16    259127

not a bad idea with the full forward option. or even play in the role meade is at the moment on the wing.

wouldn't agree that ward and crawford have built a good partnership to be honest, two good players but seem to cramp each others style a bit. ward needs to be more of a team player and also release the ball quicker, not bringing it into contact around the middle.

jaffacake (Meath) - Posts: 720 - 16/04/2009 16:41:46    259225

Anyone know of any upcoming challenge matches? Wouldn't mind seeing how we're shaping up for Dublin.

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2003 - 27/04/2009 11:29:14    268801

I hear there is a challenge next Monday against Galway or Leitrim. Now sure where though! Think it is in Meath somewhere. Sorry thats all I know.

JonnieG (Meath) - Posts: 250 - 27/04/2009 13:58:28    269001

It's not an open door policy that EOB is using, its just that he doesn't know who his best players are. At this stage of the year he should know the 30 best players in the county and be focusing on narrowing that down to 24 for C'ship. Not swapping players in and out like a fantasy footbal team. It's plane craziness

CommitteeeeMan (Meath) - Posts: 153 - 27/04/2009 17:38:54    269322

Cheers Jonnie.
Itd be nice to see how theyd fair out against Galway.
If anyone gets anymore info on this itd be much appreciated...

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 27/04/2009 18:20:33    269393

jinxie.doesnt matter how many challange matches you play you,wont get anywhere near dublin.they will give meath a good lession in football.meath are going backwords.

theneutral (UK) - Posts: 164 - 28/04/2009 13:32:26    270157

The neutral, I hope the lesson we get off Dublin is better than the english lessons you got.

patfanning (Meath) - Posts: 10 - 28/04/2009 14:28:50    270229

Thanks thenuetered Uve saved me money on tickets there. foolish me was gonna go to the game. I owe ya one.... Ya should get on to the other counties too & spread the word to, save them from building their hopes up... .....

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 28/04/2009 19:02:32    270607

Lads any word on the challenge games between now and June?

Coylers Elbow (Meath) - Posts: 1075 - 01/05/2009 13:52:18    273211

Heard there are a cuple on this weekend but cant seem to get the right info from people.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 01/05/2009 14:37:02    273273

Yes I share Jinxie's frustrations, people here saying games they think but never verifying it. I presume county team hasn't been training for the last couple of weeks with club championships on. Usually any pitch openings around this time have county matches, any clubs opening new grounds?

updaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 1132 - 01/05/2009 15:24:22    273346

Yeah its a pain updroyal.
But one would imagine that the clubs who are having these events would be glad to get the expossure & have it publicised everywhere.
Altho ive noticed county team playing alot of challenge games at half way nuetral venues latley.

Anyways, if anybody has any SOLID info about games it would be muchly appriciated.

Thanks

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 01/05/2009 15:34:44    273357