1.D.Lyons
2.C.O.Connor 3K.Reilly 4.E.Harrington
5.S.Kenny 6.C.Mc Guiness 7.M.Burke
8.B.Meade 9.N.Crawford
10.P.Byrne 11.S.Bray 12.B.Farrell
13.D.Bray 14.J.Sheridan 15.C.Ward

Subs.16.P.O.Rourke 17.B.Regan 18.B.Sheridan 19.C.Lynch [st.ultans] 20.J.Quenny 21.S.O.Rourke
22.C.King 23.S.Sheppard 24.P.Smyth 25.M.Ward 26.A.Moyles 27.A.Nestor 28.B.Galligan

mickser (Meath) - Posts: 48 - 22/11/2009 22:33:38    491313

This would be my starting team for the O'Byrne cup at least.
1.D.Lyons
2.C.O.Connor D.Sheridan 4.E.Harrington
5.S.Kenny 6.C.Mc Guiness 7.M.Burke
8.B.Meade 9.N.Crawford
10.P.Byrne 11. J.Sheridan S.Bray 12.
13.D.Bray 14.B. Sheridan 15.C.Ward

Subs.16.P.O.Rourke 17.B.Regan 18.B.Farrell 19. J.Quenny 20.S.O.Rourke 21.C.King 22.P.Smyth 23.M.Ward 24.A.Moyles 25.A.Nestor 26.B.Galligan K Reilly

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 22/11/2009 23:21:32    491354

Right, maybe my side was a bit too experimental, even for the O'Byrne cup! Still think we need to be looking at alternatives for the full-back slot, groom someone for the future. Damien Sheridan? I was thinking about him alright, but it's easier to teach a young dog new tricks, meaning Meade, Donohue or McGuinness? Or that Under-21 full-back lads mentioned earlier. Would Damien Sheridan have the pace to deal with a roving full-forward like Michael Meehan?

Everyone seems to pick Mickey Burke on the wing, I don't think he's a natural enough footballer to shine here, swap him with O'Connor and you might have a bit more balance. Someone on these boards mentioned that Burke was on the Sigerson All-Stars at corner-back. Could be the tight-marking back we've been looking for, along with McGill.

Googan (Meath) - Posts: 105 - 23/11/2009 00:54:11    491408

Lads, I've noticed a fair few people giving Kevin Reilly a bit of roasting. Can I ask was he really that bad last season? I thought he did well and was beginning to fulfil his potential, that we all know is in him. As for people saying Brian Meade or Damian Sheridan at full back, surely Andrew Collins is the next in line for that position or Ciaran lenihan(minor FB 08!!!)

Also heard mentions of Moyles to CHB. That would be very harsh on Cormac McGuinness who was one of our best plyers last season and deserves to retain the jersey.I also have a feeling we've seen the last of Moyles in the green jersey as i think he and Crawford agreed to give it one final go last year as both were finding it hard to give the comitment with city jobs etc.

I hear calls for Mickey Burke in corner back, think thats a good idea. He came on in Q/F and S/F and was fairly tight. Also if McGill is fully fit next year we'd have some tight corner backs with those two in tandem

So i'd chose a back six of

Burke K Reilly McGill
O'Connor McGuinness Harrington

and therefore the two current corner backs would be in their more natural half back positions, where their reading of the game and ability to get forward and score (esp O'Connor) would be better utilised. It also leaves us with King, Kenny and others to fight for positions in the team.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1994 - 23/11/2009 13:24:52    491665

Aren't King and Farrell in SE Asia and Oz. PErfect opportunity in O Byrne Cup to give some new lads a chance.

BoyneView (Meath) - Posts: 60 - 23/11/2009 15:01:34    491771

Benny Blanco, fair enough Wayne Donegan may be a bit small for county but James Finnerty is definately capable of playin senior inter county football,Lads like Stephen Sheridan,Derek Flood and the likes getting chances why not Finnerty!

iamurdad (Meath) - Posts: 93 - 23/11/2009 15:16:48    491792

Benny Blanco, fair enough Wayne Donegan may be a bit small for county but James Finnerty is definately capable of playin senior inter county football,Lads like Stephen Sheridan,Derek Flood and the likes getting chances why not Finnerty!

Iamurdad, never mind Donegan's size he hasn't the ability either. Likes of Stephen Sheridan & Derek Flood are not county material either and Finnerty falls into same bracket.

bennyblanco (Meath) - Posts: 579 - 23/11/2009 15:39:35    491818

Brian

In case you are including me with those who wish to give Kevin Reilly a roasting, I'm not. Not that anybody really did. My team is an experimental one for the O'Byrne cup. Kevin played reasonably well at full back during the league and was particularly good against the Dubs. However he has been out injured since and I have no idea how he currently is or if he will be back by January. Even if he is we need to experiment with a new full back and I think Damien Sheridan might just be the man. There is no harm in trying and if he doesn't work out we can then try Meade or someone else. Reilly will probably be first choice come championship if he is fit. What's this about Crawford retiring. Last year was easily his best ever in a Meath Jersey and we now know that he can deliver if he puts his mind to it. Also will McGill be back in the near future, he missed out big time last year. Would not move McGuinness now that he has settled into the CHB role. We have struggled with this position since McManus left and I think McG will become even better. Was also impressed with him during the club championship.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 23/11/2009 15:45:19    491827

neil barry -duleek-worth a shot,serious pace..

alan(lugsy) kearns-ardcath----

the seal (Meath) - Posts: 583 - 23/11/2009 15:55:52    491845

That's a mean looking full-back line Brian. My ideal half-back line would contain McAnarney, Moyles and Kenny for a couple of simple reasons. We employ a direct-ball tactic and at the moment that supply just isn't accurate enough. Moyles distribution off the foot is better than McGuinness' and if we're going to supply good long ball to the three man full-forward line McAnarney and Moyles are the best equipped to do that.

Also at CHB Moyles can drop back onto the D and screen against the high-ball, so if Kevin Reilly is tasked with marking a big target-man like Davoren or Donaghy, having Moyles as a sweeper out in front would give him a lot of confidence attacking the high-ball. McGuinness would be a huge asset as a utility man, able to cover for a number of positions. I'm sure he will continue to improve.

Brian Meade played full-back at juvenile level so he would provide a great alternative to Reilly if coached right. Against a 'twin towers' forward line like Mayo you could even start Meade and Reilly in the full-back line, McGill/Burke marking the corner-forward and Moyles sweeping out in front.

Googan (Meath) - Posts: 105 - 23/11/2009 17:35:06    491988

Ard,

I wasn't having a go at you my good friend, as i know you were trying to be constructive. As always I do bow to your vastly superior knowledge of Meath football and acknowledge your input.

I know you were suggesting experimentation as we need an alternative to Kevin in cases of injury, as occured last year. I just feel it wise to give lads like Collins and Lenihan the experience of being around the panel and playing in their natural positions rather than trying to convert a player like Damian Sheridan at this stage of his career. A game or two for either lad in the O'Byrne cup and early rounds of the League is always better than waiting to find out when the heat of championship arrives. i'm not knocking your idea at all and agree that its no harm to give it a go and change if it doesn't work but full back is a specialist position and trying to drop someone in there who's not tactically aware of the position can have disatrous consequences.

Re Crawford, i think there was an article during last summer where he and Moyles, who share a house in castleknock area, suggested that travelling to and from training and often not getting home til after midnight was taking its tol on both men and i would therefore not be surprised if either or both bowed out this year.

I also agree with you re McGuinness, best no 6 we've had since McManus. Blocks up the middle and is hard to get passed, exactly what's needed, if he can improve the distribution we'll be seeing the emrging of one serious CHB.

Googan

Thanks for the comment re a mean full back line. That's exactly what is wanted and needed in the current team and climate. Our full back line has seened to be a bit light and not physical enough in the past 5-7 years and think we needed to get back to that way, whilst also not reducing the skills levels off the team as a whole. Think with that full back line there all a bit old school, a bit dirty and know how to use their bodies and knock guys confidence by letting them know they are there and not going to give up an easy score.

I wouldn't be to sure of your half back line, but i can understand your reasoning for picking it the way you have, and don't disagree with that reasoning. I feel Harri deserves a jersey and he's vastly superior half back than corner back and O'connor can scrap for breaking ball and is able to take a score but wouldn't be disappointed with either player you've suggested. Think CHB will be McGuinness for reason said above.

Think Meade is the man who will fit into that sweeper type role you've discussed coming back from midfield alá Seamus Scanlon of Kerry.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1994 - 23/11/2009 21:53:38    492299

Brian

With regard to dropping lads back from M/F to F/B it is more the practice than the exception. Cannot speak for most counties but in Meath going back to Jack Quinn he was a midfielder; Cannot remember where Kevin McConnell played but would hazzard a guess that he played out the field either M/F or CHB; Damien Sheridan Senior was the regular no 6 for NOM when he played FB for Meath Moved to FB with club afterwards; Mick Lyons was M/F for Summerhill, I know Darren played alot at 6 for Trim but did he not oftem play at M/F as well. Kevin Reilly regularly plays at midfield. The point I'm making is not so much that Mid-fielders make good full backs because they don't always, but most good county full backs play either CHB or MF for their club and are dropped back to do a job. Damien Sheridan playes C/F for his club but when the pressure was on in the final replay he moved back to practicly play the F/B position and did it with distinction. I would accept however that he only had to get the ball as Collins was still doing a marking job on Wardie. He is however still a young man and if he is found to be comfortable in the position we could get a good few years out of him.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 23/11/2009 22:50:33    492351

Agree with Ard Ri about giving Damien Sheridan junior a run in the full back position.Dont think his father ever played for Meath in the championship and certainly not at centre half back.To my memory with the exception of 1987 he usually lined out at full back for O Mahonys. Mick Lyons played most of his early inter county football at left full back while Kevin McConnell had his first championship match for Meath in the number six jersey against Westmeath in Mullingar in 1973.One of the lessons that we should have learned from the Kerry game is that we badly need a target man type full forward. An inner line of David Bray,Ward and Farrell does not function,how many balls went wide on the Hill side during the opening half? Yes the delivery was not always perfect but not one of the three could gain worthwhile possession.Although wing half forward is his best spot Shane O Rourke is probably the top option at the moment.Strangely in my humble opinion Stephen Brays best position is also as an inside forward a la 2007,he is inclined to drop his shots short when shooting from a distance. Yes we appear to have a glut of ball playing forwards, a rarity in the pass and a good problem for the management team,but a bit of balance is required.Think we have a very good chance in the next couple of years.

Auldfella (Meath) - Posts: 472 - 23/11/2009 23:13:08    492376

Auldfella

Not going to argue too much about where Sheridan senior played as it is such a long time ago and even I forget quite a bit. However he came on at half time for Kevin McConnell against Kildare in about 1978 or 1979. We won on the day so he would have been out the following day as well. However I think Kildare beat us in 78 so it would have to be 79. It is unlikely that it was '77 but you seem to be nearly as old as myself so you might remember better. Gerry McEntee played one year at full back and then it was Mick Lyons as far as I can remember. When he came to O'Mahonies in about '76 he played at center half back for at least one year. He may have moved back then. Of course he finished his career in the full forward line.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 24/11/2009 10:06:41    492513

no offence lads but where are ye all getting this idea that damien sheridan or brian meade would or should be good full backs, they are centre field men end of story, just cos damien dropped back there v the tones doesnt suddenly make him full back material, joe did the same does that mean we should try him there as well, kevin reilly if fit will be the full back, andy collins next in line should be played in the league wit possibly ciaran lynch from st ultans after him, we should try new players but you play players in the positions they are used to, surely moyles proved that last year

The.Rock (Meath) - Posts: 582 - 24/11/2009 13:19:53    492661

Well Benny Blanco you that is always on this forum giving ur opinions about this and that,(most of them been hilarious) please explain how you believe Tadgh Boyle should get a run with the county,you must be his brother or your from Meath Hill,one or the other,Ciaran Lynch didnt make the U-21 squad last year either and you believe he is senior material too,and lets remember that squad didnt exactly set the world alight which again dosent go in his favour! You seem to have all the answers,explain them two choices,neither of them half the footballer of Finnerty,and would Skryne be tryin to snatch Boyle of Meath Hill and Lynch of the Michaels,i dont think so,where as they wont leave Finnerty alone! Enjoy Junior A next year because your definately a Drum or Meath Hill fanatic with comments like that!

iamurdad (Meath) - Posts: 93 - 24/11/2009 14:14:22    492715

Ard, as always, i don't disagree with your idea's.
Being a man of your knowledge and is never afraid to share it, any idea's of new players and positions we needed to improve in for 2010. Have you seen anyone during county championships wortha shot at a county jersey or are we looking at the same squad of players for 2010.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1994 - 24/11/2009 15:04:50    492771

iamurdad did you ever stop to think why the under 21 team last year didnt set the world alight? just a thought, maybe if the likes of ciaran lynch were picked it would have been a different story instead of o'rourke relyin heavily on st pats. ciaran lynch will play senior football for meath. wouldnt disagree that finerty is a top player but maybe a bit light for intercounty???

foleysgoal (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 24/11/2009 15:27:44    492783

Ard Ri, HOPE you ok all on your own today with the staff out!! I take it your going mad, your team is ok but in the name of god Damien Sheridan is not a fullback. He is a good club footballer end of.. he is no where near related to intercounty standard yet alone a specialist full back position. tHIS is the usual over the top reaction to county champions.. everyone comes on shouting how many of them should be on the team. There are only 2 players from Senchalstown going to make it and that is Joe and Brian, the keeper is worth having a look at due to the fact we have the worst goalie I have ever seen in the Meath goals.. Full back should be one from the following, McGill or Harringhton. Damien Sheridan cant turn quick enough and is too slow for midfield. Ard Ri football has moved on since the 60's, 70's in those days yes u could try Sheridan as the ball was just kicked in long and high. Mick Lyons would struggle in today's game and no disrespect to him as he is a legend but of a completely different game. Just goes to show how good Fay was. Full back now is the hardest position on the field as possession of the ball is critical and good teams especially Northern teams do not kick the ball into the forwards until the forward is 100% sure of receiving the ball. So u need a full back who can play from the front and turn extremely fast with a goalie constantly talking to him and sharp intelligent corner backs. So my full back line would be Burke,McGill, Harro, O'Conor is too small for full back line, play him at wing back. Also remove King from the team, just not upto it. Shorts good backs, would try Peader wing back for the league. Expect big things from Queeney and Brian Sheridan next year. Your friend was extremely lucky last year, what he did in the Dublin game last year was nothin short of a disgrace. The squad at present should at least be aiming to win Leinster. Ring me if you need some grub:)

Northmeathman (Meath) - Posts: 284 - 24/11/2009 16:12:26    492845

Imurdad. Ciaran Lynch of St. Ultans did make the Meath Under 21 team this year. He played corner back against the dubs in parnell park.

kingofclubs (Meath) - Posts: 350 - 24/11/2009 16:25:36    492862