Meath Forum

Meath V Tyrone

(Oldest Posts First)

Im looking forward to going to this one. 2x games with jeopardy near the business end of the league is good value for your money if you ask me.

Im excited to see the return of injured men to the squad and I'm excited to hopefully soon see a fully fit squad selection.

The backs won't change but the midfield combos and forward combos are starting to amount now.

jones, McBride,O'Neill, gray, all.fighting to be the third midfield option.

O'Connor, duke, hickey (also half back option), kinlough fighting for a wing forward spot.
Conlon, lynch,curtis, fighting for corner forward and those are just the well known names obviously the newer lads are pushing but I don't think they're above any of these names yet.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 53 - 02/03/2026 22:26:18    2659640

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Replying To royalcounty1:  "Im looking forward to going to this one. 2x games with jeopardy near the business end of the league is good value for your money if you ask me.

Im excited to see the return of injured men to the squad and I'm excited to hopefully soon see a fully fit squad selection.

The backs won't change but the midfield combos and forward combos are starting to amount now.

jones, McBride,O'Neill, gray, all.fighting to be the third midfield option.

O'Connor, duke, hickey (also half back option), kinlough fighting for a wing forward spot.
Conlon, lynch,curtis, fighting for corner forward and those are just the well known names obviously the newer lads are pushing but I don't think they're above any of these names yet."
We're in a great position in the league now, with everything in our own hands after Derry's hammering of Cork. I genuinely think we can take both remaining games. We usually perform well in Croke Park, and while Tullamore could be a bit of a banana skin, Offaly look really low on confidence at the moment.

On the panel, I completely agree , we were badly exposed in midfield against Donegal last year once we lost a few lads to injury. Jones coming back is massive for us. In the final quarter you need fresh legs, size, and energy around the middle, and he brings exactly that.

These days the 15 who finish the game are nearly more important than the 15 who start, given how the sport has changed. I don't really believe in the traditional half back or half forward line concepts anymore. It's more of a middle eight where everyone defends and attacks together.

Once we win possession, Keoghan, Coffey, and Caufield push forward brilliantly to support , the amount of off the‑ball running they do to create space for others is incredible, same with Rafferty. Their work rate is savage, both in possession and with all 12 players tracking back when we don't have the ball.

What's really stood out this season is how much fitter and physically stronger we look. There's clearly been serious work put in behind the scenes.

Hon the Royals.

thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1145 - 03/03/2026 08:14:48    2659661

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Replying To royalcounty1:  "Im looking forward to going to this one. 2x games with jeopardy near the business end of the league is good value for your money if you ask me.

Im excited to see the return of injured men to the squad and I'm excited to hopefully soon see a fully fit squad selection.

The backs won't change but the midfield combos and forward combos are starting to amount now.

jones, McBride,O'Neill, gray, all.fighting to be the third midfield option.

O'Connor, duke, hickey (also half back option), kinlough fighting for a wing forward spot.
Conlon, lynch,curtis, fighting for corner forward and those are just the well known names obviously the newer lads are pushing but I don't think they're above any of these names yet."
Jamie Murphy was an outstanding U20 player, one of the best forwards in the country at that level. Offers something a bit different to others in terms of size and was great to see him get in Saturday. Another option for right footed frees too. Would be expecting him to climb up list quickly if he get chances!

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 03/03/2026 08:59:08    2659665

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Next two matches are gonna define a lot of our season. Win them and we're more than likely in a league final and going up to division 1.

Would expect us to be going with our strongest team based off what we have seen in the league so far. Brennan, Lavin, Rafferty, O Halleron, Keoghan, Coffey, Caufield, Menton, Flynn, Costello, Kinsella, O Connor, Morris, Frayne and Lynch.

We also have good cover off the bench:
- O Neill and Ryan in the fullback line
- Hickey and O Neill in the halfback line
- O Neill, Gray, McBride and O Connor at midfield
- Hickey, Scully, Duke and Martin in the half forward line
- Curtis, Conlon and Murphy in the full forward line

I think we're a small bit light in the half back line though as both O Neill and Hickey cover multiple positions.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 466 - 03/03/2026 10:28:32    2659682

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Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "Next two matches are gonna define a lot of our season. Win them and we're more than likely in a league final and going up to division 1.

Would expect us to be going with our strongest team based off what we have seen in the league so far. Brennan, Lavin, Rafferty, O Halleron, Keoghan, Coffey, Caufield, Menton, Flynn, Costello, Kinsella, O Connor, Morris, Frayne and Lynch.

We also have good cover off the bench:
- O Neill and Ryan in the fullback line
- Hickey and O Neill in the halfback line
- O Neill, Gray, McBride and O Connor at midfield
- Hickey, Scully, Duke and Martin in the half forward line
- Curtis, Conlon and Murphy in the full forward line

I think we're a small bit light in the half back line though as both O Neill and Hickey cover multiple positions."
Agree with all of that although I'd say Costello might be doubtful to be fully recovered. But we should have Kinlough and Jones as potential half forward options. Think this also shows that we are a bit light for cover in the backs - basically 3 guys covering 6 positions. Said it before but I think Robbie & co need to start looking at converting someone from midfield / attack to play in the backs. Do a reverse Graham Geraghty on it. For me, we are still 1 or 2 extra backs away from being a top 4 side. But there is time to work on it. I'm sure Robbie has a plan - can clearly see they have identified other areas that needed improvement and put fixes in place and they have done it quite quickly.

gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 106 - 03/03/2026 11:55:12    2659720

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Replying To winatallcost:  "Jamie Murphy was an outstanding U20 player, one of the best forwards in the country at that level. Offers something a bit different to others in terms of size and was great to see him get in Saturday. Another option for right footed frees too. Would be expecting him to climb up list quickly if he get chances!"
Couldn't agree more about . When Murphy is hitting form he's an absolute pleasure to watch. He's a big, powerful lad and not easily pushed off the ball, which is exactly what you need at this level.
He's battle-hardened every week even at club level with the calibre of their back line, so nothing he faces at inter-county level is going to shock him. That kind of intensity sharpens a player and builds serious resilience.
For me, that means he's ready to come on at any stage and make an impact. He brings physicality, and a presence when the game gets tight.

Holymoly#6 (Meath) - Posts: 47 - 03/03/2026 12:13:48    2659724

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Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "Next two matches are gonna define a lot of our season. Win them and we're more than likely in a league final and going up to division 1.

Would expect us to be going with our strongest team based off what we have seen in the league so far. Brennan, Lavin, Rafferty, O Halleron, Keoghan, Coffey, Caufield, Menton, Flynn, Costello, Kinsella, O Connor, Morris, Frayne and Lynch.

We also have good cover off the bench:
- O Neill and Ryan in the fullback line
- Hickey and O Neill in the halfback line
- O Neill, Gray, McBride and O Connor at midfield
- Hickey, Scully, Duke and Martin in the half forward line
- Curtis, Conlon and Murphy in the full forward line

I think we're a small bit light in the half back line though as both O Neill and Hickey cover multiple positions."
There might be a bit of concern around depth in the full and half-back lines, as the bench options don't look particularly strong at the minute.
The bigger worry is what happens if we lose a few at the same time. We saw when Rafferty was out how unsettled things became, and there didn't seem to be much ready to step in, someone with good timing and quick to break out. Even looking at development, there doesn't seem to be a huge wave of options coming through either, a couple Junior lads only finding their feet at that level.

Holymoly#6 (Meath) - Posts: 47 - 03/03/2026 12:30:20    2659730

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It will be a tough team selection for this one with so many lads putting their hand up for a starting jersey. Id have the cookie on the 40 without a doubt as he will suit the physical battle tyrone will bring.

Id be taking the jigsaw out of the starting team and bringing in the Donegal man Mcbride. Id also like to see Ronan Ryan brought back into the full back line, hes a hardy heur and hed put his head in places you wouldnt put your mother in law. Other than that id say the rest should stay as is. Would be good to see more men from the two in a row Regionals winning team included in the 26. Hank you

RegionalsGuru (Meath) - Posts: 44 - 03/03/2026 12:59:50    2659741

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On my last post, I do notice there are a bit of depth issues, just looking at each position this would be my opinion on the depth at each one:

Corner back
1. O Halloren
2. Lavin
3. Ryan
4. Muldoon

After that it is hard to see who comes in there, I know Jordan Muldoon is a natural corner back but he has little experience at this level

Fullback:
1. Rafferty
2. O Neill

O Neill probably covers multiple positions but he is the next best fullback option to Raff.

Wing back:
1. Caufield
2. Keoghan
3. Hickey
4. Jones
5. Smyth

Similar to Muldoon, Killian Smyth is probably next up but doesn't have the experience.

Centerback:
1. Coffey

There is no backup or replacement for Coffey that I can see without moving lads around and taking them out of their best positions.

I know lads can cover multiple positions like Keoghan but if we have to rob Peter to pay Paul then that is where we will see issues.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 466 - 03/03/2026 13:19:20    2659748

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Replying To royalcounty1:  "Im looking forward to going to this one. 2x games with jeopardy near the business end of the league is good value for your money if you ask me.

Im excited to see the return of injured men to the squad and I'm excited to hopefully soon see a fully fit squad selection.

The backs won't change but the midfield combos and forward combos are starting to amount now.

jones, McBride,O'Neill, gray, all.fighting to be the third midfield option.

O'Connor, duke, hickey (also half back option), kinlough fighting for a wing forward spot.
Conlon, lynch,curtis, fighting for corner forward and those are just the well known names obviously the newer lads are pushing but I don't think they're above any of these names yet."
Would have Gray ahead of Kinlough just based on fitness. Kinlough likely to play against Dunshaughlin the day before in league to get his fitness up to date

Dunshaughlin4keegan (Meath) - Posts: 34 - 03/03/2026 17:30:18    2659811

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I certanly got it wrong about our transition that is for sure. I thought we were electrifying when we ran it through the hands from defence. We now have a running game to match Donegals. I dont think Tyrone will live with this in Croke Park. Would agree with the concerns over the depth in our full back line but Keoghan Coffee & O'Neil could all drop back in there. We probably need to get more minutes into a couple of our younger defenders. I think Killian Smith & John O'Regan are the best of the young crop.

Northroyal55 (Meath) - Posts: 21 - 03/03/2026 17:53:57    2659815

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I would have had this game down as the toughest of our league fixtures - fancied we would beat Derry, Cavan, Louth, Kildare & Offaly but Cork away and this one were the ones I feared most.

We seem to have become favourites because Tyrone have had a slow start to the year but have to remember that people have been tipping Tyrone to win multiple all Irelands in the coming years with all the underage success. They need a result too to be sure of survival. If we win this one it will be our most impressive result in the league. Think we might do it but will take a huge effort.

gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 106 - 03/03/2026 23:23:20    2659842

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Replying To gwanyagudthing:  "I would have had this game down as the toughest of our league fixtures - fancied we would beat Derry, Cavan, Louth, Kildare & Offaly but Cork away and this one were the ones I feared most.

We seem to have become favourites because Tyrone have had a slow start to the year but have to remember that people have been tipping Tyrone to win multiple all Irelands in the coming years with all the underage success. They need a result too to be sure of survival. If we win this one it will be our most impressive result in the league. Think we might do it but will take a huge effort."
They remind me of French rugby a few years back, all the ability, flair, reputation but disorganized and a little disjointed.

I often say to people there is only so much space at the top and you have to strike when a big dog slides even if it's only a blip. We did last year with mayo,dublin,galway,Derry on lower standards than previous years.

Mayo,galway,derry have returned to form. Tyrone and Monaghan are sliding now (it may just be a blip) Meath,Roscommon, Dublin(look to be getting there) and louth have solidified and are looking for a push.

We have to use Tyrones small slide to get us out of the chasing pack, boot on the neck. Like those other teams have done so many times to the likes of us,Roscommon,cork.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 53 - 04/03/2026 11:00:06    2659886

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Replying To gwanyagudthing:  "I would have had this game down as the toughest of our league fixtures - fancied we would beat Derry, Cavan, Louth, Kildare & Offaly but Cork away and this one were the ones I feared most.

We seem to have become favourites because Tyrone have had a slow start to the year but have to remember that people have been tipping Tyrone to win multiple all Irelands in the coming years with all the underage success. They need a result too to be sure of survival. If we win this one it will be our most impressive result in the league. Think we might do it but will take a huge effort."
Agreed on this. Ulster championship not far around corner and Tyrone would always have been targeting a really strong finish in League. They have excellant individual players but somehow it has not clicked yet consistantly. 28 pts albeit against a weakened Offaly side is still impressive. Expect it to be similar to Derry game where we will have to take our chances. They have two powerfully strong midfielders too.
I also wouldn't be suprised if all the remaining games don't go to script either. Derry have a tough away encounter against Louth in Ardee with nothing easy there.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 04/03/2026 11:11:33    2659887

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