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Said this ages ago - was clear as day that we were short a couple of defenders and that we had a surplus of quality players in attack. Management should have earmarked at least one of them to convert into defence. Too late for this season but could see it happening next season. Anyway, I'm getting slightly more confident the closer we get to next Saturday. Derry have been on a downward curve for the last 2 years whereas we've been on an upward curve (albeit with some recent blips). Would be very confident if it was in Croke Park and it's a hard place to go but I think we'll bring the intensity this time and we'll get over the line. I just can't imagine this group going out with a whimper after all they have achieved in the last 18 months.
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 180 - 05/06/2026 22:50:50 2678255 Link 0 |
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That's the fear that we have, that after all the progress we've made over the last year and we could go 0 from 3 in the Championship and be done. It would be so disappointing. If you want to look at this without green tinted glasses, home advantage will be worth a few points to Derry, -1 is the spread but honestly would have it at -3 and we'll basically start 3 points down in my eyes. But if you want to look at it another way, we'll find out if we have actually made real progress or not. This will be a real test of mental strength as much as anything and the lads will have to dig deep, that's the message I'm sure Robbie is telling them. It's going to be tough but you have to believe based on what we've done in the last 18 months.
NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 149 - 06/06/2026 11:45:11 2678288 Link 0 |
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We need natural defenders, lads who do this week in, week out. There are plenty of them around the county, but management seem stuck in a rut. What we're crying out for are a few proper man-markers, fellas who'll stick to their man like glue and make him earn every ball. I saw one of the best examples of it in last year's Intermediate Championship , St. Pat's young fella even had his nose broken in the final against Castletown the week before defending the ball. He stayed touch-tight to his man all day, ran like a hare when he got the chance to get forward, and was back defending again like a bat out of hell. You wouldn't need a player like that every match, but when you're up against a danger man, these are the lads who can put a game to bed early by taking the opponent completely out of it no matter what. The notion of covert someone into defence is madness when you have plenty of natural ability under your nose. Holymoly#6 (Meath) - Posts: 55 - 06/06/2026 17:45:35 2678343 Link 0 |
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Anyone heading up and staying over?, recommend any pubs/hotels to frequent? AthboyCelt (Meath) - Posts: 154 - 06/06/2026 20:49:43 2678375 Link 0 |
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Will be heading up but doing a round trip, Celtic Park is just west of the river with loads of hotels around there and parking included so a handy 10-15min walk to the pitch
LowerHogan (Meath) - Posts: 96 - 08/06/2026 09:53:10 2678614 Link 0 |
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Whispers from the Derry camp that Glass may not be fit for the weekend. If the reports are accurate, that's a massive boost for Meath. He's arguably Derry's most influential player and everything seems to go through him around the middle third. RegionalsGuru (Meath) - Posts: 54 - 08/06/2026 10:35:58 2678623 Link 0 |
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He hasn't been in top form this year but would still be a big loss for them as he's a serious player on his day. It's stating the obvious but this is two teams who have suffered setbacks and disappointments (Derry arguably more than Meath) so it will be a case of which team plays with the greater belief. I do feel that Meath's ceiling is slightly higher right now so we can definitely get the win if we play with the right intensity and belief. I would definitely be leaning towards playing lads like O'Neill and Jones (if fit) who will be up for the fight. Last thing we can afford to do is to start meekly and find ourselves chasing the game. We should also keep some firepower on the bench to close it out.
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 180 - 08/06/2026 12:55:41 2678656 Link 0 |
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We need to be focusing on ourselves and getting ourselves right. 1 player doesn't make a team. Plus he hasn't been in great form.
NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 149 - 08/06/2026 14:12:25 2678683 Link 0 |
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This is true. How many times have you heard this lad or that lad is badly injured and then you see him lining out on the field. Glass hasn't been playing great in any case. I have a feeling this game will be very much there for the taking for either team going down the stretch so whichever team wants it most will take it. Things may not seem to be perfect for Meath at the moment but perhaps Meath are closest to their strongest squad under Robbie Brennan the past year and a half given injuries he has had to contend with. It's about getting a consistent performance across the whole game. If they do that, they could come through. Huge game for both teams.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 1014 - 08/06/2026 18:14:30 2678722 Link 0 |