ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 02/04/2017 17:32:14    1974212

Didn't make the game today but. At half time I was hoping Andy would fix it. Its a real sign of a good manager when you come out in the second half and play like we did. Dare I say it reminds me of Boylan era when you just want half time to come so Sean could sort it out. Did anything change in the second half that we ran out convincing winners ?

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 02/04/2017 20:35:25    1974396

Another good win, thought Clare would put it up to us. Andy has adressed many of the issues of the last few years, namely work rate and fitness, this has saw a growing confidence within the group. Can look forward to championship with a bit of hope.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2142 - 02/04/2017 21:23:15    1974435

Couldn't make Ennis today but certainly seems that we are finding our mojo of late, great to hear of Keoghan and Harnan sallying up the field to take and create scores and Biggie shooting the lights out with O'Sullivan proving his eye for goal will be a valuable asset going forward. A pity promotion wasn't achieved but we have finished the campaign very strong and that is a positive. By the way I heard some supporters had a very uncomfortable sit in the stand today in Ennis, very small seats and legroom?? Heard one or two actually moved to the terrace during the game

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 02/04/2017 21:40:42    1974449

Great performance today. First 20 mins were really good and probably the best we have played all year in my opinion. But then we took our foot of the gas up until half time. Came out in the second half and blew them away, with COS getting away from the defence 3 times to score twice and assist Powers goal.

When we play well we are 3 or 4 times better than last season and I even see a big difference between now and the start of the league. Still need to improve on our consistency. We have got 7 points from the last 8 which is good but games like the Down one are an area we need to improve on in the future and we have the best man in place to implement that improvement.

And lastly posters saying people will be eating humble pie, I'm probably one of the people your referring too. Biggie needs to do it consistently for me to be eating humble pie, nearly everyone knows he can be untouchable but he doesnt do it enough. Every player is entitled to their off days but biggie has too many imo. Even if he played half as good in most games as he did today I would be happy with him. Even though COS was pivotal in all 3 goals Biggy was easily man of the match. I was also impressed with McGill today.

Barney123 (Meath) - Posts: 676 - 02/04/2017 21:42:11    1974451

Good result, unfortunately the result in Down came back to haunt us.

Clare were poor by their standards of late. Gary Brenann was a major loss to them.

As in the Fermanagh game the team hassled and tackled better. Workrate improving every match. Half time settled the team because should have been further ahead at break. Gifted a couple of scores through easy turnovers and unforced errors. Still need to avoid bringing ball into contact.

Management had luxury of taking players like Graham Reilly and Donald Lenihan off early. That said, Lenihan had one of his quieter matches this year.

Unfortunately a long break until championship, so keeping momentum will be tough.

David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 02/04/2017 21:54:45    1974464

what do people make of the midfield now? getting better?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 03/04/2017 08:05:05    1974559

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/04/2017 08:46:38    1974571

Our kickout strategy seems to have vastly improved. Paddy's accuracy has been almost flawless while players' movement has increased greatly since the start of the league. I was particularly impressed with Seán Tobin's work rate for our own kickouts. A few times he made a lung bursting 50-60 yard run into space for a kickout. Unfortunately, the best of these runs resulted in him dropping a simple catch and Clare scoring.

So after a very slow start, we finished strongly and I have a bit of optimism going into the Leinster championship for once. You'd expect we'll be up against Louth again which will be extremely tough. If we get over them, it'll almost certainly be Kildare. If we get that far, I'd hope that the lads will be up to amends for the hammering in the first game. If we put in the same workrate, there's no reason why we can't meet the Dubs in the Leinster final. However, a repeat of the Down/Kildare performances and Louth will have no trouble dispatching us in Parnell Park.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1362 - 03/04/2017 09:53:39    1974614

The biggest difference for me is that defending is starting with the forwards who are pressurising the ball which doesn't allow an easy build up putting pressure on the defence. While both teams yesterday had a certain amount of defensive play, it has to be said both teams went out to play football with some excellent scores from both teams in the first half. In the second half we seemed to move up a gear which seems to be a trait in the last few matches. We seemed to have some sort of plan for the kick outs as a number of our longer kick outs particularly in the first half were directed toward Biggy and Sean Tobin who was coming out effectivley. The Down game will haunt McEntee and the players as they just didn't turn up in Newry that night.
With regards to the Stand in Ennis, I moved to the terrace before the match started as the seating was awful. Too narrow and close together and with no backs on the seats all you got was knees in the back form the person behind you. As for letting someone in along the row that was a joke as there was basically no space to do so. The terrace area was excellent with plenty of barriers and was covered on the far side if the weather was inclement.
Finally, compliments of a fine piece of sportsmanship from the Clare No 21. Near the end when Brian McMahon got injured he went back to McMahon to see if he was ok and helped McMahon with what looked like cramp. The ref ignored the injury and beckoned at McMahon to get up.

Diego (Meath) - Posts: 1205 - 03/04/2017 09:54:10    1974615

Hard luck on missing promotion lads it was a three horse photo finish in the end. Meath are on the way up for sure though.

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1669 - 03/04/2017 10:19:04    1974631

there as been a vast overall improvement from the start of the year but there can still be more. as andy said there was a dip mid way through the 1st half. Against better opposition that will be exploited but im confident management will work on that. overalll think we're on the right track hope to see the improving contnue for the championship and depending on the kindness of draws super 8's should be a realistic goal if the recent performances continue in the same vain

srgt_slaughter (Meath) - Posts: 462 - 03/04/2017 11:03:21    1974675

Very good result away to Clare, we ended up making light work of it and credit to Biggy aswell, that's the sort of performance we all love to see from him. Missing out on promotion is disappointing but to be fair there was a noticeable improvement between the start and end of our league campaign, hopefully this is a sign that things are on the up.

You'd wonder what our championship aims are, are we good enough to make a Leinster final? are we good enough to rattle Dublin? are we good enough to make the last 8? McEntee is the ambitious, no nonsense sort, so I'm sure he'll be aiming for an AI Quarter-Final spot, but only time will tell whether we're good enough or not.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 03/04/2017 11:49:35    1974716

I'd hope that if and when (at whatever stage) we enter the qualifiers, we can progress through them like in 2007 and 2009. I'd be somewhat disappointed if we didn't step up in the qualifiers (instead of just making up the numbers) and make it to the last eight this season once and for all. There is a lot of football to be played in the Leinster championship before then, so we'll focus on that and see where it leads to.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 03/04/2017 13:17:25    1974776

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 03/04/2017 14:37:36    1974829

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/04/2017 15:02:12    1974848

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 402 - 03/04/2017 15:08:55    1974853

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 03/04/2017 15:13:51    1974856

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 03/04/2017 15:51:44    1974880

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 03/04/2017 18:00:34    1974945