Meath Forum

Meath V Dublin

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Replying To seadog54:  "Agree Conlon will go on to be a key player for Meath in years to come, but what kind of a game is it to put the smallest/lightest and least experience player in as a target man against the most experienced full back line in the country. As highlighted by many posters our kick out strategy has not worked all year and was a disaster again today, but this issue as yet to be addressed."
He is not a target man and was used poorly in that context 100% agree with you

Meathman101 (Meath) - Posts: 6 - 23/06/2019 19:45:09    2199278

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Conlon is far too small and lightweight for inter county football. Coghlan has some serious SAnd C work to do with him.

ClonardGael (Meath) - Posts: 75 - 23/06/2019 19:53:36    2199295

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Got the feeling Dublin could have gone up another gear or two if we really put the pressure on but....we defended well for the most part, didn't get overrun in midfield and had 24 scoring chances. Problem was that we had nothing to offer in the final third and couldn't kick snow off a rope when we got our chances. All the talk was that Dublin would need to have an off day - they did in the first half and we kicked 1 point. No excuses - only way of redeeming themselves is to get to super 8's and then put in at least one decent performance when they get there.
Dublin may be a great team but we they didn't have to play great today and still hammered us. Players and management should just park this and assess what went wrong when the season is over.

gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 88 - 23/06/2019 19:54:44    2199297

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Replying To Aloblack:  "At least 3 of the balls he spilled were not high they were a perfect ball in for him but unfortunately for him hes so light that and kind of dunt from a defender and the ball will pop out. I fear for the lad at this level to be honest just because of his size. Will probably end up just being one of those top class Club forwards. Very similar to Cathal O Dwyer from dunshaughlin who was a similar size and build and player to him. Ripped up the club scene for a number of years but just too small for inter county football."
When i said failed to control balls i meant balls that he should have controlled so yes 2/3 of them were good balls. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to sing his praises but i consider him a Better player than nearly all alternatives. In terms of being too small or light this attitude frustrates me so much not just in the relation to conlon. What's the point of putting big immobile lads in when mobility is clearly the biggest physical factor in today's game? While you can't afford to have very small backs or midfielders for fear of being exploited under the high ball surely speed and skill > height when it comes to forwards? Maybe I'm mad but looking at the top teams there aren't too many slow forwards (with the exception of aedan o'shea). If you can find all 3 factors in a player you are very lucky and there's not many players of that calibre knocking around meath at the minute unfortunately

Meathman101 (Meath) - Posts: 6 - 23/06/2019 19:58:18    2199301

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Congrats to Dublin on the win. I allowed for Dublin to play great and maybe a bit poor. But I didn't see that performance coming from Meath 4 pints !!! Thats has to lowest score Meath has ever scored. What a time to rack up there poorest game in recent years. Anyway I am not rip in to anyone today maybe tomorrow :) We will just have dust ourselves off safe in the knowledge we can probably never play that bad again.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 23/06/2019 20:09:53    2199309

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We didn't perform, very hard on the players, fans and management.
What next? We regroup and we go again, Andy has brought this team from the doldrums, he must now instill belief and rather than giving them a right earful, he needs to build up the confidence, the next game defines our season.
As real fans we are hurting tonight, but we dust ourselves down and concentrate on next round.
Hon the royal

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 23/06/2019 20:11:28    2199312

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Replying To Meathman101:  "When i said failed to control balls i meant balls that he should have controlled so yes 2/3 of them were good balls. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to sing his praises but i consider him a Better player than nearly all alternatives. In terms of being too small or light this attitude frustrates me so much not just in the relation to conlon. What's the point of putting big immobile lads in when mobility is clearly the biggest physical factor in today's game? While you can't afford to have very small backs or midfielders for fear of being exploited under the high ball surely speed and skill > height when it comes to forwards? Maybe I'm mad but looking at the top teams there aren't too many slow forwards (with the exception of aedan o'shea). If you can find all 3 factors in a player you are very lucky and there's not many players of that calibre knocking around meath at the minute unfortunately"
I'm certainly not saying put big immobile lads in there but there's balance between the 2. Unfortunately look at the modern inter county game. And ur right about the top teams not having many slow players. But they also don't have many lads who are 5ft nothing and 10 stone. If he was small and well built and very strong I'd be more optimistic. I really like watching him play but just worry for him at Division 1 level and lets say super 8 level. In saying that ur bang on about their not being too many alternatives playing the county.

Aloblack (Meath) - Posts: 265 - 23/06/2019 20:15:44    2199316

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I think for the benefit of our panel and management its best to just take today as it was. This result and performance was always a distinct possibility. And as I said earlier, it could have been much worse. Its essentially a race for the All-Ireland silver medal now between every county bar Dublin and deep down we all know it.

Its a forum, an open square here, but for us, we'd do well to stop knocking players lads (myself included! I hate picking at individuals I have to say) because 1) there's a distinct possibility that lads in the set-up might see these posts, 2) it makes no odds, we have a team better than the sum of its parts as we already knew, 3) they're dedicating a lot of their time and effort to the betterment of this team, and 4) we're still in the championship. We're back in Division 1 and we're a game off the Top 8 in the country. All is not lost. That Meath team can challenge anyone on their day. They'll take today as a learning curve and move on. They have to. If they take today personally and the insults which will come with a loss like that vs. Dublin, then they'll never be satisfied or fulfilled as players. Today was a horrific spectacle which makes me fear for the future but it does not take away from a good year for Meath, and the potential for more to come. Well done to the hurlers and the Junior team as well, so often ignored as in this very post. Up the royals.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 587 - 23/06/2019 20:30:52    2199343

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Replying To Aloblack:  "I'm certainly not saying put big immobile lads in there but there's balance between the 2. Unfortunately look at the modern inter county game. And ur right about the top teams not having many slow players. But they also don't have many lads who are 5ft nothing and 10 stone. If he was small and well built and very strong I'd be more optimistic. I really like watching him play but just worry for him at Division 1 level and lets say super 8 level. In saying that ur bang on about their not being too many alternatives playing the county."
We'll agree to disagree and hope that a few gems come along soon produced by our improving infrastructure! In the meantime we should learn and put today behind us before making a good attempt at reaching the super 8s up the royal

Meathman101 (Meath) - Posts: 6 - 23/06/2019 20:43:26    2199356

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Unfortunately a bad performance today. But on the back of a successful year so far. The game in 2 weeks is a huge one but hopefully the team will he motivated not to let today be too much a defining moment of 2019. Get into the super8s and today will be forgotten fairly quickly.

Up and go again team! Come on Meath!

cabbage (Meath) - Posts: 162 - 23/06/2019 20:56:36    2199372

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Replying To cabbage:  "Unfortunately a bad performance today. But on the back of a successful year so far. The game in 2 weeks is a huge one but hopefully the team will he motivated not to let today be too much a defining moment of 2019. Get into the super8s and today will be forgotten fairly quickly.

Up and go again team! Come on Meath!"
When is the draw for us on??

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 23/06/2019 20:59:10    2199375

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Disappointing game/performance but seeing some of the reaction from "Meath people" especially on facebook is scandalous. Do they forget 12 months ago we were knocked out of the Leinster Championship by Longford? Last year we were 4th from bottom in the league, 1 point more than Down who got relegated.

The amount of work that this group of players and management have put into Meath football since last November is unbelievable. Lets remember they are not paid professionals and do it for the love of the game. Had a great year before this game, only losing to Donegal(a team who were crowned Ulster champions today).

But as soon as we are on TV we get a lot of people who think they know about football slating the Meath players and management. The best one being a woman who thought the MINORS were playing before the senior game today.

I'd say the players will be very disappointed tonight and will find it hard to get over but lets hope they have a short rest and come back ready to get to the super 8's. Something which we are well capable of.

Thought McGill and Lavin deserve mention for how well the played today also.

Barney123 (Meath) - Posts: 676 - 23/06/2019 21:00:00    2199379

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Are the best forwards on Meath panel after today? Why is best free taker top scorer in county being ignored beano Hanlon Gaelic colmcille plus scored 11 goals last 6 or 7 league games .surely a dead ball expert is a have too on any inter county team scored 13 points v Andy mcentees own beloved dunboyne in last years senior championship semi final so he does know he exists.what a difference if Meath had guaranteed scores every day you take field .though just occurred to me in croke park today could been 6 5 up at halftime and probably only 12 9 down with 10 mins left different game then

royalsonfire (Meath) - Posts: 1 - 23/06/2019 21:12:52    2199396

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Replying To Meathman101:  "We'll agree to disagree and hope that a few gems come along soon produced by our improving infrastructure! In the meantime we should learn and put today behind us before making a good attempt at reaching the super 8s up the royal"
Well i genuinely hope your right and im wrong. But the way the game has gone at the top level with packed defenses and no space for lads like him to use there speed im sceptical about the impact he will have

Aloblack (Meath) - Posts: 265 - 23/06/2019 21:13:24    2199398

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What did I tell you , out the gate and down clonliffe road too

lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1363 - 23/06/2019 21:17:56    2199405

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Replying To Barney123:  "Disappointing game/performance but seeing some of the reaction from "Meath people" especially on facebook is scandalous. Do they forget 12 months ago we were knocked out of the Leinster Championship by Longford? Last year we were 4th from bottom in the league, 1 point more than Down who got relegated.

The amount of work that this group of players and management have put into Meath football since last November is unbelievable. Lets remember they are not paid professionals and do it for the love of the game. Had a great year before this game, only losing to Donegal(a team who were crowned Ulster champions today).

But as soon as we are on TV we get a lot of people who think they know about football slating the Meath players and management. The best one being a woman who thought the MINORS were playing before the senior game today.

I'd say the players will be very disappointed tonight and will find it hard to get over but lets hope they have a short rest and come back ready to get to the super 8's. Something which we are well capable of.

Thought McGill and Lavin deserve mention for how well the played today also."
Wholeheartedly agree Barney. It's a fundamental issue that any person who wears that Meath jersey faces. We've far too many armchair experts in this county. We've so many people who don't rate Meath teams and players because they aren't the team of the late 80s or mid-90s etc who won All-Irelands and Leinster regularly. We've so many sunny day supporters. So many people with very basic knowledge of the game. There's such a culture of nostalgia in Meath that in all honesty many if not all Meath players of the modern era never had a chance. There's also the unspoken issue of inward migration from the boom times which is why I saw more Dublin jerseys in Kells and Navan this morning than Meath ones. The supporter base and the public reaction to our county team is marginal compared to what (I imagine) it was before my time. It might seem like Im waffling but I really feel this has a seep effect on players and their emotional and psychological approach to football as minors, youths, and adults.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 587 - 23/06/2019 21:23:44    2199415

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Replying To Barney123:  "Disappointing game/performance but seeing some of the reaction from "Meath people" especially on facebook is scandalous. Do they forget 12 months ago we were knocked out of the Leinster Championship by Longford? Last year we were 4th from bottom in the league, 1 point more than Down who got relegated.

The amount of work that this group of players and management have put into Meath football since last November is unbelievable. Lets remember they are not paid professionals and do it for the love of the game. Had a great year before this game, only losing to Donegal(a team who were crowned Ulster champions today).

But as soon as we are on TV we get a lot of people who think they know about football slating the Meath players and management. The best one being a woman who thought the MINORS were playing before the senior game today.

I'd say the players will be very disappointed tonight and will find it hard to get over but lets hope they have a short rest and come back ready to get to the super 8's. Something which we are well capable of.

Thought McGill and Lavin deserve mention for how well the played today also."
Also thought Keogan played very well. He did a super man marking job on Kilkenny. He barely touched the ball

boeder (Meath) - Posts: 59 - 23/06/2019 21:33:35    2199437

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Most people getting it spot on here and others been a little harsh on the lads, simple fact is there is probably better options in the county but lads wont or cant commit, i'm not gonna slate lads on here because deep down we are simply not in the same league as the top 8 teams, our backs were very good today and a 16 point defeat is harsh on them, when we got the ball up to the 45 we were like rabbits in headlights, know-where to go and nobody to take on their man and be brave, it was professionals verses amateurs today and that is not Meaths fault, we would need a bit of luck with the draw for the super 8's but deep down we would only be making up the numbers, was speaking to a real genuine dublin fan beside me and he was saying what is going on with the gaa is simply one sided and destroying the game, he said there is two club players at his club who would get on most teams in the country but cant get on the dublin panel, lastly i was embarrassed coming out of croker today and a little angry, its hard to take after been in croker since the 80's shouting on my proud county and been able to compete, but fair play to the dubs, they have invested the astronomical monies they receive each year very well and are getting their rewards, Leinster football is dead thanks to the gaa BUT i still think this dublin team are there for the taking by someone this year, perhaps Donegal. Time will tell

thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1047 - 23/06/2019 21:40:02    2199446

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Not much point in over analysing it. We completed well for possession but the nerves from the forwards and the quality of Dublin's defending was too much. It's a learning experience for this team and management. No point dwelling on it just focus on the next day. We're not as comfortable in Croke Park as we used to be and we're not used to playing teams of Dublin's quality. These players need to get to the last 8 and get a bit more big game experience. It's a long road back to the top and days like today are just going to be part of that process. If we just throw our hands up in despair we'll slide back to where we came from.

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 452 - 23/06/2019 21:44:26    2199448

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Replying To gwanyagudthing:  "Got the feeling Dublin could have gone up another gear or two if we really put the pressure on but....we defended well for the most part, didn't get overrun in midfield and had 24 scoring chances. Problem was that we had nothing to offer in the final third and couldn't kick snow off a rope when we got our chances. All the talk was that Dublin would need to have an off day - they did in the first half and we kicked 1 point. No excuses - only way of redeeming themselves is to get to super 8's and then put in at least one decent performance when they get there.
Dublin may be a great team but we they didn't have to play great today and still hammered us. Players and management should just park this and assess what went wrong when the season is over."
Completely agree. Drive onto next round & learn quickly

David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 23/06/2019 21:51:09    2199452

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