Ard Ri, you're almost too eager to write footballers off once they're past the big three-oh ;) As we saw in last years championship, Mike McCarthy was immense at centre-back for Kerry, while similarly, with the exception of the All-Ireland final, Canty anchored the whole of Counihan's Cork from behind midfield. In fact McCarthy was so assured in this position that you rarely noticed the fact that Griffin was a stop-gap solution at full-back. That's down to experience. Now compare this to Meath's defence which was exposed time and again because of a lot of naivety in the half-back line.

As regards Moyle's form in the Westmeath game, I have no problem with him playing as a sweeper in front of the half-back line but only against a team that persistently run's the ball, otherwise you're allowing the opposition too much time to pick a pass from midfield but, that must have been O'Brien's decision to give him that role so you can hardly blame Moyles. Against teams that kick long and early from midfield, like Mayo or Kerry for example, a more aggressive, pacier half-forward like Peadar Byrne would be more suited to closing down the kicker and pressing the ball.

Ollie99 (Meath) - Posts: 442 - 11/03/2010 16:49:26    585497

Not full back, its Kevin Reilly's best and only position, Moyles got shown up by the Tommy Walsh goal in the semi's last year.

eldude90 (Meath) - Posts: 16 - 11/03/2010 20:02:51    585807

Yeah I would agree with you ollie99. Just because you have hit the 30 year old mark, does not simply mean that you have nothing to offer. If simply experience alone, then Anthony Moyles is a necessary asset. Adding to your examples, of Cork's Graham Canty and Kerry's Mike McCarthy, Tyrone have two great young lads namely Brian Dooher and Ryan McMenamen, who both are over the 30 barrier and also have loads to add to their team. Moyles may have lost pace as pointed out by some posters but the ability to read a situation is something that can't be taught.

Okay Cormac McGuinness may be the best option to centre back, so that leaves only a couple of places that Moyles would suit. With his pace lacking then the wing berths are unlikely, and corners definitely; therefore down the middle. Sweeping as he did against Westmeath last time out is only required in some matches, as may be dictated by the style of play from the opposition. You can not see him being played on the forty ahead of some of the forwards available, nor will he play full forward, as it would just be crazy placing him there ahead of Joe Sheridan, Jamie Queeney (on form) or even Cian Ward (my choice) or Shane O'Rourke. So that leaves middle of the park, where his mobility may become a factor; but then Mark Ward gets away with it, or no.3.

I have stated before that Moyles will start at full back, if Kevin Reilly is not fit, for the championship, and on current status he (Reilly) does not look likely to be ready. It might not be his best position but as we don't have many great options left available due to injuries, players not being used or told they are surplus to requirements, and not being good enough, I feel that Moyles will be asked to do a stop gap role again this year. We all know that he is not the ideal candidate for the no3 jersey but roles have to be filled. (If only we had players like Tyrone's or Kerry's where they could play anywhere whenever required eg. Joe McMahon playing wing forward all year in 2008 championship and then come All Ireland Final morning lines out at no.4 in a man marking role... interchangeability or what?) Moyles to me is something like a John O'Shea or Phil Neville in soccer, in that because of his adaptability he simply doesn't not a best position!

David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 11/03/2010 21:00:16    585929

Ollie I didn't write off Moyles or anyone else just because they were 30 plus. I was referring to the comment by GGisGod (stupid name) when he harped back to Moyles form in 2007 which was 3 years ago. What I meant was that the form of three years past does not mean much especially when you are over 30. Of course some players play their best football in their 30s. Colm O'Rourke for one Mickey Linden was another. However after the big 30 the years begin to tell more and more on most mortals. Of course there are those that would say that neither O'Rourke or Linden were mortal and they might be right.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 12/03/2010 13:01:21    586287

I think Moyles is a victim of his own versatility & not having one set set area or position in which he excells.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6348 - 12/03/2010 13:54:33    586349

Ard Ri (such an awesome name), Moyles' last opportunity to play in a position that suited him was '07 due to injuries, our bad showing in '08 and having to fill the fullback problem position last year. Yes '07 was 3 years ago and he is now in his thirties but that said he has a lot to contribute if deployed correctly. Moyles has the ability to influence a game from 6 or 11. People harping on about him losing pace and being well in his thirties is not relevant given that he is not dog-slow and for either of these positions his reading of the game and passing are far more important. Yes Moyles is too slow to play in the full back line but he shouldn't be dispelled because he was the only man fit to fill a role that we had no specialist player of sufficient standard.

Meath's biggest downfall is at times being headless out on the pitch and also lacking a genuine Plan B. Moyles is one of the few players we do have talented enough and experienced enough to have an impact in controlling the flow of our play. That said, he won't be able to do that playing at 3 or on the bench.

TheFlyingTeacup (Meath) - Posts: 286 - 12/03/2010 14:39:09    586411

Teacup you are now being argumentative just for the sake of it. A trait I hadn't associated with you before.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 12/03/2010 18:32:17    586765

Meath are flogging a dead horse. Moyles just doesnt have it anymore.

Meath2010 (Meath) - Posts: 108 - 13/03/2010 14:31:14    587164

Meath2010 - agree totally with you and the comment 'one of the few players we do have talented enough' says it all. Talent was never his forte but he had a great engine would run all day and was fearless -those were his qualities and the ones I would remember him for.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 13/03/2010 17:20:20    587271

browncows
County: Meath
Posts: 196

587271 Meath2010 - agree totally with you and the comment 'one of the few players we do have talented enough' says it all. Talent was never his forte but he had a great engine would run all day and was fearless -those were his qualities and the ones I would remember him for.

Couldn't agree with the above statement as posted by Browncows. Moyles was an awful lot more than just someone with an engine.

If this was his only true quality, then explain to me why Sean Boylan, Eammon Barry, Colm Coyle and Eammon O'Brien played him in many vital positions in their teams? Possibly because he had talent in abundance and that by playing him in these positions, he could acquit himself as well as anyone. I do not think four managers could all use Moyles as those four did and believe him to be nothing but a fearless player. If you want fearless, then look at player like Francie Bellow, not Anthony Moyles.

Loyal2TheRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 4522 - 13/03/2010 19:49:56    587336

Auldfella
County: Meath
Posts: 154

The full back position is still our biggest worry. If Kevin Reilly is fit then he is the man for the job but--.Some may think me mad with this suggestion but in the early stages of last year I always felt Caoimhin King was in the wrong full line. Would like to see him get a run at number 3 rather than 14.

No, I've been thinking the same myself for the last couple of months watching Meath struggle to cover Reilly's absence. He was picked at full-forward with a grafting, ball-winning role in mind. He's a big, fast, clever footballer, good in the air, reads the game well, everything you would look for in a modern full-back. It's worth noting that when King first burst onto the scene Eamonn Barry played him predominantly as a corner-back. With a bit more experience under his belt he could very well have moved across the line and slotted in at no.3 in Reilly's absence.

However, given Moyles versatility and perhaps also due to the number of managers we have gone through since Boylan's departure Moyles was always the safe option to fill a problem position. I believe the team has suffered a little from Moyles' usefulness as a utility man.

I wouldn't be so quick to write McGuinness off as a half-forward. I think we'd see the best of his attacking qualities here and he would also give us a great outlet for the high, diagonal ball onto a forward like Queeney or one of the Sheridans. Play Moyles at 6, always been his best position.

Ollie99 (Meath) - Posts: 442 - 13/03/2010 19:52:21    587343

best place for him is the bench..good lad to bring on.

flyer (Meath) - Posts: 815 - 13/03/2010 20:26:17    587368

Flyer you are spot on, he shouldnt be near the team, he was very poor last night, awful distribution, no pace, dont know what he adds to the team? Having said all the that the manager is not helping his cause as he never has been and never will be a half back?

Jgc81 (Meath) - Posts: 195 - 21/03/2010 11:33:51    593802

I thought he was brilliant last night!!! Great passer of the ball!!!!

omahonys_man (Meath) - Posts: 229 - 21/03/2010 11:44:27    593809

I agree with omahonys man. I though he did very well last night.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1466 - 21/03/2010 11:58:08    593814