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Replying To royalcounty1: "I'd agree with the general game plan, but I think a lot of our play still feels a bit instinctive rather than fully tactical - we seem to mirror the opposition at times rather than dictating the terms ourselves. That said, it can make us dangerous to opposition too because they often get sucked into a shootout with us, and when we click, we're hard to stop.
From an outside perspective, you'd wonder if shutting down Caulfield and Kinsella could cut off a lot of our supply - they're doing serious work out the field. The forwards closer to goal are a bit in and out of form, but that's not necessarily a bad thing either. We've seen flashes - Costello against Cork, Conlon against Roscommon, Kinsella against Kerry and Louth - and you'd hope it all comes together at the right time. But we probably do need more consistency if we're aiming to go further past sunday and back to div1.
Depth is a big factor too - you look at squads like Galway or Armagh, and on any given day a big name might be rotated out. That sort of pressure drives performance. Our bench has promise - Hickey and O'Neill have made a strong case as impact subs - but I'd still be a little unsure about the later changes or unused options. Hopefully we'll see a few more step up or be given the chance, not likely with knockout football though.
Billy in goal has a clear tactic - going wide with kickouts - and while the execution isn't always perfect, you can see what they're trying to do. It's a hard one to criticise too much, because he's obviously following instruction. Still, you wonder if he'd sometimes prefer to just go long and back our athleticism. other counties have changed goal keeper, if sean brennans form is as you say, it means billy is being pushed. if we refine the kickout i think billy is a solid keeper and has confidence which goes a long way.
All in all, plenty of positives, id love for one more sub to really put his hand up, so we are not worried about the big names as much." Agree with your point on the subs. Shane Walsh came on against Kerry and kicked a wide, the game was well over but you'd have loved for that to gone over for his confidence. I think it's important for RB to not overuse the subs if they aren't putting their hand up. I know the demands of the game now with the new rules require a lot of running and makes sense to bring fresh legs on but I'd be worried about taking players like Frayne and Menton off (which he did against Roscommon) when the game is tight and you need a score. Especially when the subs aren't really showing any form. Obviously each game is different and Sunday might require 4 or 5 subs but there is nothing wrong with keeping it at 1 or 2 if things are going OK.
Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 253 - 24/06/2025 14:21:38
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Any news on injuries yet? Think we're all hoping Costello makes it and O'Neill will be back at midfield but not sure on their status.
Meath and Galway mirror each other a little in that we both compete well around the middle, have some very good forwards who can be lethal on their day, kick plenty 2 pointers but defenses who are very suspect at times. So that lends itself to the fact this one could be high scoring kind of like the Galway-Down game.
But let's not kid ourselves Galway have a couple of the best forwards in Ireland in Walsh and Finnerty and a lot will depend how we deal with them. Comer been injured a lot but they could bring him off bench if needed. The likes of Cooke coming off the bench leaves them very strong too.
But with every passing game we can see Robbie Brennan exudes the presence and ability to set this team up and get the best out of them and it's obvious the players are playing for him and buying into his message.
He's got to pinpointing Galway's weakness' which are certainly there. They've major uncertainty around their goalkeeper so would be putting a serious press on from the very start to test that. Their defense can be got at if you see some of the scores teams have been putting on them. Morris and Costello, if he plays, can trouble them if they run at them. If Duke, Menton and O'Neill compete well around the middle, we'll be in with a chance.
NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 53 - 24/06/2025 16:20:05
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What kind of Meath attendance are we expecting? I'd say 25,000-30,000 ish Meath following attended the Leinster final, interesting to see if that's replicated on Sunday.
Charlie_90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 5 - 25/06/2025 13:51:32
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Replying To Charlie_90: "What kind of Meath attendance are we expecting? I'd say 25,000-30,000 ish Meath following attended the Leinster final, interesting to see if that's replicated on Sunday." I would say around that. Like a lot of counties, if team is going well, there will be a following. Armagh always bring a massive following especially for big games and they're reigning champions. Galway have a good following too. Kerry seem to be trying to rally their fans to travel as it's massive for them as well. I'd say Sunday could be close to a sell out.
NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 53 - 25/06/2025 15:38:57
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Must be a great bit of excitement and anticipation in the Royal right now.
There is a chance there! Don't let it pass you by.
realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8808 - 25/06/2025 15:53:03
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Must be a great bit of excitement and anticipation in the Royal right now.
There is a chance there! Don't let it pass you by.
realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8808 - 25/06/2025 17:04:52
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Replying To realdub: "Must be a great bit of excitement and anticipation in the Royal right now.
There is a chance there! Don't let it pass you by." I agree.
I think Meath have a great opportunity to make the All Ireland Football Semi Final.
Galway are fav's in my mind but if Comer & Walsh dont play, then Meath really have a great chance.
Looking like both Sat and Sun will have large numbers attending, so plenty of colour and a great atmosphere.
Best of luck...
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4391 - 26/06/2025 09:37:25
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I'd rather play the best version of Galway, people hoping that Walsh won't be fit are kidding themselves and it's a bit disingenuous to Galway too. With or without him, they're a great team. We want to see the best players on display, and want to see how we can compete with a top team. Because there's no doubt it, Galway are a very good side, and it will take a big effort from someone to beat them.
This is unknown territory for Meath, and we're playing with house money. But there's a real opportunity there. If we perform to our absolute peak, we have the players to beat them. But if we don't, they'll destroy us because they have so many live weapons.
Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 38 - 26/06/2025 13:36:08
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Trying to book tickets on ticket master (mixture of juvenile student and adult) and seems I can't get tickets together.
Will more sections of stadium be sold tomorrow or are nearly all seats sols out already?
bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1414 - 26/06/2025 21:26:35
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The Dubs need to be commended on how they have carried themselves since we beat them this year, there's been so many genuine nice, positive comments which is great to see.. Maybe on the other hand its sad for Meath that we became so bad over the last 20 years that they are not worried about us anymore! But still, there are sore losers everywhere, to be fair to them, i haven't seen any on these forums, just genuine football supporters hoping for competitivity again
Martinr5399 (Meath) - Posts: 21 - 27/06/2025 08:24:33
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1 : Billy Hogan
2 : Seamus Lavin
3 : Sean Rafferty
4 : Ronan Ryan
5 : Donal Keogan
6 : Sean Coffey
7 : Ciaran Caulfield
8 : Bryan Menton
9 : Adam O'Neill
10 : Conor Duke
11 : Ruairi Kinsella
12 : Cathal Hickey
13 : Jordan Morris
14 : Keith Curtis
15 : Eoghan Frayne
Good to see Costello on the bench and would be surprised not to see him come in as a late starter for Hickey.
Huge game Sunday, best of luck to the lads. Lets all get a big show of support Sunday and turn the hill green and gold.
Up the Royals.
overtheendline (Meath) - Posts: 9 - 27/06/2025 10:46:50
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"Any word on when the teams will be named? Meath usually announce around lunchtime on Friday, and I'm itching for content at this point. I've burned through every podcast - got nothing left for the commute home.
My heart says Meath, but logic leans Galway. The two teams are oddly similar - both seem to rise or fall to the standard of the opposition. I actually think the Leinster final is the most accurate reflection of where this Meath team is right now. We probably should have won it, and it wasn't a case of not performing - we just didn't close it out.
Croke Park is a different beast compared to the provincial grounds. Kinsella looks like the only guaranteed two-pointer in Croker at the moment. Duke and Frayne have them in the locker too but the game passed them by against louth.
Galway are streaky, just like us - but when they get hot, they really get hot. They've also got a more seasoned defence, which is why I'm slightly leaning their way. That said, Jordan Morris could be the difference-maker for us. He hasn't fully clicked yet, but if he can deliver 4+ points and the rest of the lads maintain their current form, we're in with a real shout.
There's a quiet bit of consistency building in this Meath side.
Serious question now: Meath won big games without big names. If any of them are fit again, do they go straight back into the starting 15 - or are we looking at bench roles? Keith Curtis, for example - he's a good bit of stuff. Nasty edge, physical presence, I saw him up close against Kerry and he wasn't shy. Right now he's probably a one-point-a-game guy, starting but I'm not sure he has the profile to impact a game off the bench the way we might need and unfortunately shane walshe is in that category too.
If Meath are going to win this, we probably need 6+ scores off the bench. That's a massive ask - and makes me wonder: are we now in the territory of deliberately holding someone back? Tactical sub rather than fallback option?" Hickey, mcbride, mcentee, harkin subs as of right now.
royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 23 - 27/06/2025 11:04:56
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Replying To bdbuddah: "Trying to book tickets on ticket master (mixture of juvenile student and adult) and seems I can't get tickets together.
Will more sections of stadium be sold tomorrow or are nearly all seats sols out already?" All sections have been opened so far apart from the Nally. The sitting sections will be sold out by this evening and they may open the Nally then.
royal11 (Meath) - Posts: 111 - 27/06/2025 11:43:57
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Replying To royalcounty1: ""Any word on when the teams will be named? Meath usually announce around lunchtime on Friday, and I'm itching for content at this point. I've burned through every podcast - got nothing left for the commute home.
My heart says Meath, but logic leans Galway. The two teams are oddly similar - both seem to rise or fall to the standard of the opposition. I actually think the Leinster final is the most accurate reflection of where this Meath team is right now. We probably should have won it, and it wasn't a case of not performing - we just didn't close it out.
Croke Park is a different beast compared to the provincial grounds. Kinsella looks like the only guaranteed two-pointer in Croker at the moment. Duke and Frayne have them in the locker too but the game passed them by against louth.
Galway are streaky, just like us - but when they get hot, they really get hot. They've also got a more seasoned defence, which is why I'm slightly leaning their way. That said, Jordan Morris could be the difference-maker for us. He hasn't fully clicked yet, but if he can deliver 4+ points and the rest of the lads maintain their current form, we're in with a real shout.
There's a quiet bit of consistency building in this Meath side.
Serious question now: Meath won big games without big names. If any of them are fit again, do they go straight back into the starting 15 - or are we looking at bench roles? Keith Curtis, for example - he's a good bit of stuff. Nasty edge, physical presence, I saw him up close against Kerry and he wasn't shy. Right now he's probably a one-point-a-game guy, starting but I'm not sure he has the profile to impact a game off the bench the way we might need and unfortunately shane walshe is in that category too.
If Meath are going to win this, we probably need 6+ scores off the bench. That's a massive ask - and makes me wonder: are we now in the territory of deliberately holding someone back? Tactical sub rather than fallback option?" Hickey, mcbride, mcentee, harkin subs as of right now." Is McBride an option off the bench? I'm not so sure, Conor Gray must still be struggling because over the last couple years he's the one who's shown a bit more. Wasn't at the Kerry game but I think it passed him by a bit in 2nd half unless some can contradict that. Majority of players don't hit amazing heights when they come back from AFL and I have sympathy for him as it's difficult to transition back.
NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 53 - 27/06/2025 11:45:58
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Replying To Martinr5399: "The Dubs need to be commended on how they have carried themselves since we beat them this year, there's been so many genuine nice, positive comments which is great to see.. Maybe on the other hand its sad for Meath that we became so bad over the last 20 years that they are not worried about us anymore! But still, there are sore losers everywhere, to be fair to them, i haven't seen any on these forums, just genuine football supporters hoping for competitivity again" Didn't have to worry too much about us for quite a while, but we're on a good trajectory so hopefully they'll have plenty to worry about in the years to come!!
LowerHogan (Meath) - Posts: 80 - 27/06/2025 12:02:22
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Replying To royalcounty1: ""Any word on when the teams will be named? Meath usually announce around lunchtime on Friday, and I'm itching for content at this point. I've burned through every podcast - got nothing left for the commute home.
My heart says Meath, but logic leans Galway. The two teams are oddly similar - both seem to rise or fall to the standard of the opposition. I actually think the Leinster final is the most accurate reflection of where this Meath team is right now. We probably should have won it, and it wasn't a case of not performing - we just didn't close it out.
Croke Park is a different beast compared to the provincial grounds. Kinsella looks like the only guaranteed two-pointer in Croker at the moment. Duke and Frayne have them in the locker too but the game passed them by against louth.
Galway are streaky, just like us - but when they get hot, they really get hot. They've also got a more seasoned defence, which is why I'm slightly leaning their way. That said, Jordan Morris could be the difference-maker for us. He hasn't fully clicked yet, but if he can deliver 4+ points and the rest of the lads maintain their current form, we're in with a real shout.
There's a quiet bit of consistency building in this Meath side.
Serious question now: Meath won big games without big names. If any of them are fit again, do they go straight back into the starting 15 - or are we looking at bench roles? Keith Curtis, for example - he's a good bit of stuff. Nasty edge, physical presence, I saw him up close against Kerry and he wasn't shy. Right now he's probably a one-point-a-game guy, starting but I'm not sure he has the profile to impact a game off the bench the way we might need and unfortunately shane walshe is in that category too.
If Meath are going to win this, we probably need 6+ scores off the bench. That's a massive ask - and makes me wonder: are we now in the territory of deliberately holding someone back? Tactical sub rather than fallback option?" Hickey, mcbride, mcentee, harkin subs as of right now." I think Costello comes straight into the starting 15 you can't not start him when he's fit, think he'll probably come in for Curtis instead of Hickey, Curtis has that dog in him but Hickey's natural tendency as a half back/half forward is more valuable to us for this game. Him, Kinsella, Caulfield, Coffey and Keoghan's defensive work rate and ball carrying will be vital for us in that middle third.
LowerHogan (Meath) - Posts: 80 - 27/06/2025 12:08:28
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Replying To royalcounty1: ""Any word on when the teams will be named? Meath usually announce around lunchtime on Friday, and I'm itching for content at this point. I've burned through every podcast - got nothing left for the commute home.
My heart says Meath, but logic leans Galway. The two teams are oddly similar - both seem to rise or fall to the standard of the opposition. I actually think the Leinster final is the most accurate reflection of where this Meath team is right now. We probably should have won it, and it wasn't a case of not performing - we just didn't close it out.
Croke Park is a different beast compared to the provincial grounds. Kinsella looks like the only guaranteed two-pointer in Croker at the moment. Duke and Frayne have them in the locker too but the game passed them by against louth.
Galway are streaky, just like us - but when they get hot, they really get hot. They've also got a more seasoned defence, which is why I'm slightly leaning their way. That said, Jordan Morris could be the difference-maker for us. He hasn't fully clicked yet, but if he can deliver 4+ points and the rest of the lads maintain their current form, we're in with a real shout.
There's a quiet bit of consistency building in this Meath side.
Serious question now: Meath won big games without big names. If any of them are fit again, do they go straight back into the starting 15 - or are we looking at bench roles? Keith Curtis, for example - he's a good bit of stuff. Nasty edge, physical presence, I saw him up close against Kerry and he wasn't shy. Right now he's probably a one-point-a-game guy, starting but I'm not sure he has the profile to impact a game off the bench the way we might need and unfortunately shane walshe is in that category too.
If Meath are going to win this, we probably need 6+ scores off the bench. That's a massive ask - and makes me wonder: are we now in the territory of deliberately holding someone back? Tactical sub rather than fallback option?" Hickey, mcbride, mcentee, harkin subs as of right now." I'd Honestly hold Costello back and spring him before half time if really needed but i think 5 10 mins into second half if we are in the hunt he would bring some serious energy into it and might help pin them up the feild.
Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 655 - 27/06/2025 12:18:37
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For an indication of how totally underrated the Meath Senior players are, all you need do is look at the odds from one of Ireland's leading bookies for the 2025 Player of the Year, there are odds posted for the 90 players in contention, not one is from Meath.
There are 15 from Galway, 15 from Donegal, 13 each from Armagh & Tyrone, 11 from Kerry & 10 each from Dublin & Monaghan.
What the bookies are saying is that every one of the starting 15 for Galway are all better than Meath's best player or even one of the Meath players.
But I do think all that disrespect to Meath players will work in Meath's favour. No pressure.
An Mhi Abu
madmeath (Meath) - Posts: 94 - 27/06/2025 12:24:24
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Replying To madmeath: "For an indication of how totally underrated the Meath Senior players are, all you need do is look at the odds from one of Ireland's leading bookies for the 2025 Player of the Year, there are odds posted for the 90 players in contention, not one is from Meath.
There are 15 from Galway, 15 from Donegal, 13 each from Armagh & Tyrone, 11 from Kerry & 10 each from Dublin & Monaghan.
What the bookies are saying is that every one of the starting 15 for Galway are all better than Meath's best player or even one of the Meath players.
But I do think all that disrespect to Meath players will work in Meath's favour. No pressure.
An Mhi Abu" I think its more ye are an unknown quantity as ye are emerging from the doldrums with a good young team more than the bookies are overlooking ye. We have been steadily improving with each game and hoping the improvement continues on Sunday, I dont think we will see Comer unless ye are well up and we are facing going out. I dont know about Shane but id say he will play but we have a fine team without them which couldnt be said a few years ago, PJ has built a fine squad since the 22 loss and we were undone by a great Armagh defensive effort last year with Finnerty going off in hindsight a killer blow. We have experience while Meath have youth and abandon so it could be a classic game. Its been a great year for Meath but win or lose the momentum must continue into 2026 and beyond to put Meath back where they belong.
JahTribe (Galway) - Posts: 167 - 27/06/2025 14:19:10
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Replying To madmeath: "For an indication of how totally underrated the Meath Senior players are, all you need do is look at the odds from one of Ireland's leading bookies for the 2025 Player of the Year, there are odds posted for the 90 players in contention, not one is from Meath.
There are 15 from Galway, 15 from Donegal, 13 each from Armagh & Tyrone, 11 from Kerry & 10 each from Dublin & Monaghan.
What the bookies are saying is that every one of the starting 15 for Galway are all better than Meath's best player or even one of the Meath players.
But I do think all that disrespect to Meath players will work in Meath's favour. No pressure.
An Mhi Abu" To be fair, Meath haven't had any games broadcast on TV aside from the Leinster Final. So not surprised our players are coming in under the radar. But I don't think any Meath player is in the running for player of the year, but we certainly should have a few all star nominations.
Caufield has been as good as any half back in the country, he doesn't get the recognition because he doesn't player for Kerry or Dublin etc.. Kinsella has been absolutely immense, but again games not on TV so the only people appreciating this is those who go to the games. Both should be all star contenders. Costello was player of the month in April but he's been largely injured so hard to make a case.
But Craig Lennon and Sam Mulroy will get the All Star ahead of them because even though they made a mess of the group stages, they won Leinster and that's what people remember. I wouldn't worry too much about it. People will know who Meath players are over the next few years.
Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 38 - 27/06/2025 15:14:08
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