Lads people putting Sheridan and Ward in the same team won't work...theres only room for one of them as both aren't able to last the pace....I know that Geraghty will be back for a fact!King corner back?No chance as the lad doesn't have the proper concentration to play there also aswell i think O'Connor isn't big enough for the team...I don't think he will be on the panel this year due to other commitments also!
If Murphy doesn't give it another year I would love to see Paddy O'Rourke in goals....hell i marked him in a Schools match a couple of years ago and ive never seen such high quality fielding...He's a top class goalie aswell!David Bray will also be given his chance in the League....Can't see him making an impact just yet though!McGill and MacAnerney will be key to Leinster this year I think along with a fit Anthony Moyles!The Problem is the forwards are there but the backs just aren't!

Team:

1.Murphy
2.McGill
3.Reilly
4.McKeigue/MacAnerney
5.King/Harrington
6.Moyles
7.Kenny
8.Ward
9.Meade
10.Byrne
11.O'Rourke
12.S.Bray
13.Geraghty
14.Ward
15.Farrell

paddym123 (Meath) - Posts: 367 - 22/12/2008 11:49:13    169264

No stephen sheppard boys?

BeanPhaidin (Dublin) - Posts: 84 - 22/12/2008 12:09:14    169281

Lads I'm amazed to see so many people putting Stephen Bray on the 40? He is the most prolific scorer we have therefore put him where he is going to do the most damage inside?

The 40 should consist of 2 work horses, I don't particularly like him but Peader's work rate is exceptional and maybe even Graham if he comes back (has the legs for it) or maybe Alan Nestor? The other player on the 40 should be able to dictate play ala Ciaran McDonald... maybe Shane O'Rourke?

My team would be:

Murphy

Harrington
Reilly
McGill

King
Moyles
O'Connor

Meade
Ward

Byrne
O'Rourke
Nestor

Bray
Geraghty
Ward

Its harsh to drop lads like Brian Farrell but feel he can be too stagnant when he's inside with the like of Ward or Big Joe.
Maybe even play Farrell at 11 and O'Rourke at 10/12

Big Dave (Meath) - Posts: 172 - 22/12/2008 12:13:18    169284

I think Bray is far better on the 40....Last year against Dublin he played their and was superb.....You don't want two workhorses on the wings...thats too defensive.....We need someone from the half forward line who can score and is aggressive..Ie Bray I think its his best position...he'll be kept away from Man markers there too and would do serious damage!

paddym123 (Meath) - Posts: 367 - 22/12/2008 12:21:05    169289

The thing about Bray is that he is by far our best forward and no matter where he plays he is better than the alternatives. having him man marked might not be the worst thing. After all Bray got his breakthroughs partially because every team was focused on Brian Farrell after he was top scorer in the league. The thing is if he is going to be man marked and take the best defender out of the game then we need forwards that can exploit slightly looser marking

Where we lost our way a bit last year was not collecting the breaking ball.... Moyles is great at this but unless we put McGill in FB we need Moyles at 6. With Byrne and Nestor I feel they would collect and carry the ball. Defenders would fear it

Big Dave (Meath) - Posts: 172 - 22/12/2008 12:37:58    169301

Lads our real problem is up front, not at the back, when meath were doing well back in the 80's to 2001, we defended from the front, with men like, Giles,Gillic,Coyle, Kelly,Nestor,Kealy,McGUNINESS,Cassells,Brady,Dowd,O'rOURKE, Curtis,Geraghty,Brendan Reilly,Callahgan all these men defended from the front and did not let out defeneces easily, in fact for the majority that was there role.
Each team had at least 4 forwards capable of turning the man back which assited ouR defenders greatly, plus being able to win 50/50 ball regularly.
Now we have forwards who only want the fancy scores, the only forward that I can see can stop a man is Bray and in your teams your putting him at 13.
While u have lads like Ward,O'Rourke, Farrell and Joe and even though they are all big men can't seem to tackle or stop a runner and dont even try which puts serious pressure of backs and in Croke park this is a killer.

Also u are all picking O'rourke and Farrell even though they are always injured.

We need to pick Bray at 11, with King/Regan and Byrne either side, plus i agree with Brian, I also like Newman from Kells as a footballer and would give David Bray at go in the league, Quiney at 14 and Ward at 15. If Shane McKeigue can keep training then try him at 14, a smart, strong player who can put the tackles in.
I have enough of looking at Joe,Farrell, O'Rourke and Nestor, having talent is one thing but if not willing to put it in then should be moved on and out as injured players consistently around a panel is not good.

The defenders from the last few years are the best we have, it just up front we are not doing the work. Everyone sees Ward score a crazy point from 55yards and forget about the remaining 60 odd minutes where he wins nothing, passes to no one and his man is doing unreal damage.

1. Murphy,
2. Harringhton.
3. McGill
4. Mckeigue,
5. McEnarney.
6. Moyles.
7. Kenny
8. Meade,
9. Ward.
10.King.
11 Bray
12 Byrne
13 David Bray
14 McKEIGUE/Queeney
15 Ward

That team has a strong experienced defence, McKEIGUE destroyed Vaughan last month and has one good year left in him, same with Moyles and Kenny, plus u have pace in McGILL and McEnarney. Also now we dont have a forward line who think they are stars are will win tight games and more importantly championship games.

Subs, Skelly,o'Connor,Reilly for defence, Regan/Wayne Reilly cover for midfield.Forward cover, Queeney and one from O'rOURKE and Farrell or both if they can train for 4 - 6 months.
THe above team would beat the Dubs:)

Happy Xmas Ard Ri, I will call over Thursday morning for Carol singing... I will bring your fav grapes!!!!

Northmeathman (Meath) - Posts: 284 - 22/12/2008 12:51:01    169313

Just on the point of selecting a starting 15.... does anybody have any idea of the panel.... its only 2 wks to the O'Byrne Cup game.... Any new blood to be tried and tested? Last year we got Nestor and McGill out of the O'Byrne cup and got a look at Damien Sheridan in a Meath shirt.

Big Dave (Meath) - Posts: 172 - 22/12/2008 13:19:26    169330

Forgot about o'rourke in my team-I'd have him or Sheridan in the full forward line.Wards work rate will let him down..

keep_the_faith (Meath) - Posts: 400 - 22/12/2008 13:43:17    169341

My Team Would Be

1. Murphy
2. Harrington
3. Reilly
4. McGill
5. Kenny
6. King (Give Him A Run Here If Not Harrington here)
7. McAnerney
8. Meade
9. Ward
10. D Bray
11. S Bray
12. P Byrne
13.S O Rourke
14. Big Joe
15. Ward

paudi (Meath) - Posts: 681 - 22/12/2008 14:34:49    169377

Paidi thats the exact team i would pick except a fit Niall Kelly in midfield and Brian Farrell for Cian Ward

James T (Meath) - Posts: 611 - 22/12/2008 14:45:52    169388

1. Murphy
2. Harrington
3. Reilly
4. McGill
5. Kenny
6. Moyles
7. King
8. D Sheridan
9. Ward
10. D Bray
11. S Bray
12. P Byrne
13. Farrell
14. S O Rourke
15. Ward

julian (Meath) - Posts: 76 - 22/12/2008 15:35:13    169436

lads and especially northmeath man, yee are slating O Rourke and Farrell for being injury prone. If im not mistaking, since farrel cam on the scene last year was the first year he was injured and speaking with Coyler lately he said if half of the meath players gave the commitment to the cause that he does, we would be a much better team. Our best full forward line is Bray, farrel and O Rourke, end of story! No full back line in Ireland could marshall them 2 years ago. Love to see them fit for 2009. Best of luck for 2009, hopefully the recession wont stop us from gettin out and supportin the GAA

jbagnell23 (Monaghan) - Posts: 3 - 22/12/2008 15:46:13    169455

Kelly Would be good Sub i think wouldn b gud 4 full game.
Wardy is better free taker n neither Are over gr8 from play.

paudi (Meath) - Posts: 681 - 22/12/2008 15:55:48    169473

do u not think any moynalvey lads should be given a run??there leinster champs and some of there players should be given a chance i think!!

royalstar09 (Meath) - Posts: 42 - 22/12/2008 21:06:52    169665

Anyone know when the panel for 09 will be announced or if any new players are making an impact in the trials?

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2024 - 22/12/2008 22:41:08    169688

1. Murphy
2. W Milner (Summerhill)
3.Reilly
4.Mcgill
5.King
6.Moyles
7. mcguinness/ harrington (not much out there)
8.Ward
9.Regan (If performs well in league)
10.Byrne
11. Bray
12. O Rourke
13.Farrell
14.Gerathy
15. B sheridan.
Depends on league form, but Eamonn will have to give some of them a chance..

bringbackgraham (Meath) - Posts: 3 - 29/12/2008 21:36:16    171205

1 Murphy
2 McGill
3 Reilly
4 McGabhann
5 Kenny
6 Harrington
7 King
8 Meade
9 Ward
10 Nestor
11 Ward
12 Byrne
13 Bray
14 O' Rourke
15 Farrell

theblindassasin (Meath) - Posts: 915 - 02/01/2009 12:48:00    172035

Captain Brayer?

Is Stephen Bray the Meath captain for the forthcoming year?

Loyal2TheRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 4522 - 06/01/2009 12:29:15    173822

1. Murphy.
2.S. Mcnanrney
3.K.Reilly
4.Harrington
5.S.Kenny
6.King
7.T.Skelly
8.B.Meade
9.Ward
10.P.Byrne
11.O'Rourke
12.D.Bray
13.S.Bray
14.B.Farrell
15.G.Geraghty

I Know the 2 o reillys impressed on Sunday and maybe after seeing more of them in the league I might change this to include them but for now thats what I think would be our best starting 15. How lads can include the likes of Martin Doran on they're starting 15 is beyond me, he wouldn't get on the O'Mahonys team.

hootervillian (Meath) - Posts: 310 - 06/01/2009 19:49:39    174324

Hootervillian - how can you say you need to see more of the Reillys who played last year and then include Terry Skelly - who was impressive but against a very poor team.

No McGill? He man marked Mattie Forde out of the game for 55mins in Carlow?

Big Dave (Meath) - Posts: 172 - 07/01/2009 08:50:32    174592