jinxie

did not get that at all, apologies fully for that outburst so!!

good to see peader making an impression and harrington back playing, and kenny gaining form, those are the biggest positives for me, don't know enough about this collins lad to judge his return as a major boost or not

Thejoeshow (Meath) - Posts: 687 - 07/05/2012 19:55:09    1167429

Looks like a pretty good scoreline, I'd imagine Westmeath fielded a poor side though but anyway it's still nice to see us getting a win of any description with the year we've had so fairplay to lads, lets hope they can reproduce that sort of scoreline (or something near it) when it matters.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 07/05/2012 20:02:31    1167435

Thanks for reports lads! Few questions

What system/style were they playing with?
Was there a sweeper in place?
Would it be fair to say that Peadar wore a midfield jersey but didn't play there?
Were the lads putting boot to ball moving up the field more than they had been?

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 07/05/2012 20:15:25    1167445

What was the final score in the hurling?

Crawley_JuniorD (Meath) - Posts: 211 - 07/05/2012 20:17:06    1167446

I know its only a challenge but how we needed that win . Great to see Kenny named at wing back i'm wondering did he play there, I believe its the only place for him and a new midfield pair I know Ward is out injured but why did this take so long , also good to see a couple of new and old faces on the team today I dont know what Banty was thinking of during the league .

mmc (Meath) - Posts: 307 - 07/05/2012 20:24:27    1167454

To be fair despite the big win our major problems are still very evident. Kickouts and midfield. Gallaghers kickouts are poor. It is all fine and well shouting "don't foul, don't foul" at his backs all the time so they do not concede silly frees close to goal, but he needs to sort out/work harder on the former. Also Westmeath improved slightly in the second half and won some of their own kickouts around midfield too easily for my liking, relatively uncontested on occasions. We badly need a more influencial player who can impose/assert themselves more forcefully around centrefield to try and win/gain prime possession. Apart from just one or two half forwards winning loose or breaking ball, it just isn't happening. More players need to take responsibility and help with the workload, to sustain a good supply of ball to our forwards and consistently over 70 mins. Otherwise the better teams will continue to clean up here. It really is a crisis at this stage. On a more positive note (and maybe it was because I was closer to the action than usual), but to hear all the lads call out each others names more and more, looking/hungry for the ball was a step in the right direction.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 07/05/2012 20:45:30    1167465

rath_togh

Running game by and large for the entire first half, but a few kick (more direct) passes to the HF and FF line second half. But not in our own half of the field (still the running/handpassing game), more direct kick passes from centrefield forwards. Peader wore #8, Eoin Reilly #11 (with Gillespie) but Peader was essentially playing as a half forward. Although like in times past, he dropped deeper at times looking for ball and initiating attacks. Then running at pace through the centre or the wing. With Graham Reilly on the other side. I think the more direct kick passing at times (albeit more limited than many may hope for) was more down to the space HF/FF's found themselves in at times (down to loose marking), than an obvious change in style from the league. Buy yes they were more direct at times.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 07/05/2012 21:05:27    1167480

it's hilarious seeing how some of you are rejoicing at the result of a challenge game.............it highlights just how far meath have fallen to be honest...........meath fielding at full strength against what on paper looks like a poor enough westmeath team speaks for itself................gone now are the days when it would be meath that would be fielding the understrength side for these challenge games.................changed times indeed when a facile victory in a challenge game brings great hope and excitement to the loyal royal supporters.............. i don't suspect westmeath will be overly concerned giving the team they lined out............well done meath on a great great win.

Gammy_Knee (USA) - Posts: 1482 - 07/05/2012 21:19:38    1167489

Lads in fairness it was not the managements fault that harrington didnt feature in the league he got injured over the winter and then got back and played one or maybe 2 games at most with the club and got injured at training again he was only match fit after the louth match.

johnsee (Meath) - Posts: 389 - 07/05/2012 21:24:29    1167493

Gammy_knee yes we have fallen a long way and all of us from Meath know this , you seem to know more than most including Banty if this is our full strength team .And it dosnt matter what team Westmeath line out Meath will always beat them including this year in the league 17 points to 5 when we were at our worst and every time in the championship since 1884 so if I were from Westmeath I would be concerned

mmc (Meath) - Posts: 307 - 07/05/2012 21:54:58    1167516

Who won the hurling lads ? Anyone have the score of it?

square_ball_69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 826 - 07/05/2012 21:57:42    1167521

Gammy_Knee
County: USA


The thing about a county like Meath "falling" of late as you put it, means that we had to have actually reached the summit in the first place. Something Ive seen my county do on a number of occassions. You as a Louth man can only surmise in wonderement at what it must be like to ever reach the summit. Something you probably will never experience. I can only assume thats what makes you such a bitter man.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6348 - 08/05/2012 09:31:05    1167546

Jinxie

Of course it does...

Anyway back to the game,well first of all there was decent work ethic,so maybe the players are getting that right,and yes Gillespie should be dominating a midfield like the one Westmeath had on the pitch,but it's a win and a big one at that..

Anyone any idea who will play next in a challenge? Would like to play a Cork,Kerry or Mayo

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 08/05/2012 10:46:43    1167593

A good run out for some of the lads. Nothing more. Don't raise to gammy lads that's what he wants , nothing to speak of in his home county of louth (nothing new there)
It was a challenge and one that they dispelled of easily enough, no surprise when you see the team.
Maybe they will use this as a stepping stone to get a more settled starting 15. Anymore challenges fixed?

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 08/05/2012 10:54:14    1167597

ziggy32001
County: Meath


Good man Ziggy, ya found boardsmill anyway. Was starting to worry that you got lost with our directions when I hadnt heard from ya....

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6348 - 08/05/2012 11:11:00    1167609

great to see Peadar Byrne back in action, wasnt at the game but heard he did well. Westmeath had terrible team out

tackleberry (Meath) - Posts: 324 - 08/05/2012 11:25:20    1167623

Is there anymore challenges?

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 08/05/2012 11:33:24    1167632

Jinxie

I did! Easy enough to find ,cheers for the help :)

Yeah Peader did ok,committed etc,but Westmeath didn't really have a team out. Hopefully we have a few competitive friendlies coming up

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 08/05/2012 14:21:16    1167810

yea hopefully so. In fairness to Banty, least he is recognising the fact that new blood is required, prepared to give things a go, very positive move involving the new players at weekend.

tackleberry (Meath) - Posts: 324 - 08/05/2012 14:43:15    1167847

Meath are hitting form at the right time.

It is hard to please Jinksie, no matter the result. He should be showing some faith. Meath will be there or there abouts come championship time. It is next year which I fear about, plying teams in the lower leagues all spring.

Jack L (None) - Posts: 3213 - 08/05/2012 15:09:24    1167873