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Replying To Reco: "Donegal scored 1.20 again kildare we will need to match or better that to beat them. Can it b achieved of course it can. Playing the same football we have done in croke park should give us a great platform for win.mchugh will b the biggest worry on there team for me his running game from deep will b there focus so who picks him up will b vital." Think there is a fair amount of difference between kildares back 6 and ours. Donegal won't get near that score against our 6
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/03/2019 13:11:08
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Replying To royaldunne: "36, counting those who are injured" Who are the other 10 apart from the match day squad over the last few matches
Foreveraroyal (Meath) - Posts: 34 - 27/03/2019 13:15:15
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Replying To royaldunne: "Think there is a fair amount of difference between kildares back 6 and ours. Donegal won't get near that score against our 6" Ye our backs are very good but croker will test the best backs.
Reco (Meath) - Posts: 419 - 27/03/2019 14:17:17
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Replying To Foreveraroyal: "Who are the other 10 apart from the match day squad over the last few matches" Robin Clarke, Darragh and Thomas McGovern, Shane Glynn, Niall Hickey, Owen McDonnell, Sean Reilly, Sean Tobin are all in there.
Robbie Garry was in but I didn't notice him on Sunday.
Possibly Liam Ferguson.
Ruairí Ó Coilean is back in lately I'm told.
Dan O'Neill and Caolac Halligan are rehabbing after doing their cruciates last year.
jackhackett (Meath) - Posts: 773 - 27/03/2019 14:24:02
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Replying To mmc: "Don't underestimate the importance of this game . Meath have a poor record in Croke Park over the last 10+ years its so important this team change that and get back winning against a top rated team .
I think Croke Park will suit this Meath team it's Andys first game in Croke Park as Meath manager and he'll want to win it looking forward to this game ." Exactly........here here !!
nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1224 - 27/03/2019 15:57:05
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Replying To mmc: "Don't underestimate the importance of this game . Meath have a poor record in Croke Park over the last 10+ years its so important this team change that and get back winning against a top rated team .
I think Croke Park will suit this Meath team it's Andys first game in Croke Park as Meath manager and he'll want to win it looking forward to this game ." In fairness it is an important game, it's just that it's not a must win.
But no doubt it would be a big boost to our confidence heading into the championship if we were to turn over Donegal. Plus I suppose the fact that they beat us, this gives us a chance to get them back, so hopefully the lads will be up for it.
Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 27/03/2019 17:13:21
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Replying To jackhackett: "Robin Clarke, Darragh and Thomas McGovern, Shane Glynn, Niall Hickey, Owen McDonnell, Sean Reilly, Sean Tobin are all in there.
Robbie Garry was in but I didn't notice him on Sunday.
Possibly Liam Ferguson.
Ruairí Ó Coilean is back in lately I'm told.
Dan O'Neill and Caolac Halligan are rehabbing after doing their cruciates last year." Young scully also
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/03/2019 17:45:18
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Replying To Htaem: "In fairness it is an important game, it's just that it's not a must win.
But no doubt it would be a big boost to our confidence heading into the championship if we were to turn over Donegal. Plus I suppose the fact that they beat us, this gives us a chance to get them back, so hopefully the lads will be up for it." That's exactly the way I'm looking at it too.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/03/2019 17:46:35
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Replying To royaldunne: "Young scully also" What about Alan forde ?
bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 27/03/2019 19:57:04
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Replying To royaldunne: "Young scully also" Yeah I didn't mention Jason.
He was on the bench against Donegal in Ballybofey and came on
jackhackett (Meath) - Posts: 773 - 27/03/2019 20:07:02
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Replying To brian: "Hi David, i suggested Gallagher pick Murphy up when he's out the field. Obviously McGill takes him when inside. Although I'd agree with your assessment of let Menton follow him but does that then hinder Menton getting into the attack?
Perhaps it might even be Shane who picks Murphy up and does a role there?
Whoever it is they're unlikley to get the best of Murphy, and there's not many in the country who would better him on his day, so lets hope everyone plays to the best of their ability on the day and go from there." I was not having a pop at you or anyone, I was merely expressing an opinion.
My view is that Shane Gallagher, as good as he developing at intercounty level, is not currently as equipped as Bryan Menton to pick up Michael Murphy.
To take up your point of, if Menton picks up Murphy when out the field, will it hinder his game attacking. I don't think so and here is why I feel Menton is suited to the role of picking up Murhpy when he plays around the middle.
Firstly, Menton has the experience & ability to track a roaming outfield player, especially as I think he is a natural attacking wing back suited to such a role. Secondly, if Menton plays on Murphy (when he is out the field), why should he not attack as per normal. If Menton does so; does Murphy not have to track him back? Yes he should and I know I would prefer to see Murphy is his own back line, rather than our back line. Thirdly, if Andy McEntee was to assign Menton the role of tracking Murphy, he has skillset to close down space and contest with Murphy.
In my opinion, its like hammering the hammer!
Furthermore, I think I would match up Cillian O'Sullivan on Ryan McHugh and either Ronan Ryan or James McEntee on Ordhan McNialais depending on where McNialais plays. They are key orchestrators for Donegal. COS would give McHugh something to think about both attacking and defending. Likewise with young Ryan and James McEntee. Ryan is a big strong robust marking defender while James McEntee would push McNialais backwards with his attacking drives. I'm not suggesting that they are correct match ups or would 100% work. They are simply my opinions.
I feel this match will be a brilliant barometer of where we exactly are as a developing team. We should have won in Ballybofey 6 weeks ago, but Saturday will be different, for a numbers of reasons, in no particular order.
1) Donegal will have a more settled and experienced team available.
2) It should be better weather & playing conditions. 3) We have accomplished our primary goal of promotion, so pressure maybe off abit.
4) All said, it a National League final and most of the panel haven't contested a National Final so a lack of such experience may hinder us; or may not!
5) Nervousness, as above.
6) Croke Park is a huge wide open pitch, one that we have not won on, for a number of years. An advantage a lot of the Donegal players have.
7) The Ballybofey effect of the loss, could go either against or for us, depending on our mentality.
Anyhow, we must rise to the task, and who knows. I am quitely optimistic.
David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 27/03/2019 20:41:44
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Replying To bobkarlgees: "What about Alan forde ?" Back training too from what I've heard. But don't know if it's hard training yet.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/03/2019 20:57:37
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Replying To royaldunne: "Back training too from what I've heard. But don't know if it's hard training yet." He hasn't even played with o mahonys yet, he wont be playing for meath this year you've some sources rd!!
Northsidegaels (Meath) - Posts: 237 - 27/03/2019 22:28:03
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OK what about McKeever and Conlon from Simonstown. It would be great Alan Forde back O'Coilean would be a great addition too. Any chance of Ronan Jones coming???. Is Donncha Tobin out of the reckoning aswell. Great to Alan Nestor back playing well with Blackhall Gaels has had his fair share bad luck over the few years. When on the Meath panel he was quite good would like to him if he was up to it. Cheers
Foreveraroyal (Meath) - Posts: 34 - 27/03/2019 22:30:44
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Replying To Foreveraroyal: "OK what about McKeever and Conlon from Simonstown. It would be great Alan Forde back O'Coilean would be a great addition too. Any chance of Ronan Jones coming???. Is Donncha Tobin out of the reckoning aswell. Great to Alan Nestor back playing well with Blackhall Gaels has had his fair share bad luck over the few years. When on the Meath panel he was quite good would like to him if he was up to it. Cheers" Yeah and what about Richie Kealy?? And Mark Ward. Ollie Murphy is still playing is he in the reckoning. And any chance of Charles Mccarthy coming home from America for championship?
Aloblack (Meath) - Posts: 265 - 27/03/2019 22:45:48
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Its hard to know about Sunday.
My worries for Meath are Donegal have Murphy back and other players back since our meeting in early stages of the league. Murphy is one Donegals greatest players ever and one of the best footballers of his generation and when he plays he seems to lift the whole team. Donegal are Ulster champions and truthfully in the top 5 or 6 teams in the country. Meath have improved greatly since the longford game last year. In most rankings Meath were 15th or 16th in the country last year. Most rankings I see now Meath are 8th or 9th in the country currently.
Meath have improved particularly in the defence were Meath have a strong defence with particularly strong centre of the defence with Conor McGill , now becoming one of best if not best full back in the country and keoghan who is now playing at a level of a Darren Fay or Robbie O Malley. The improvement in Meaths fortunes have been since the Longford game. Keoghan has been playing at centre back since that game. Meath have a top class full back and a top class centre back together at the heart of the Meath defence for the first time since Lyons and Harnan. Also Gallagher Ryan lavin Mcoy have been very good in Meaths defence also. And James McEntee is becoming a sort of Colm Boyle James Mcarthy of the Meath team. Attacking wing back who plays well in every game. McEntee since he moved to wing back v Down last year has been Meaths best and most important player. Its pity Niall kane is injured , as he also is an excellent attacking wing back who was excellent v Donegal a few weeks ago.
But a defence is only so good at what is happening out the field. And if we were to struggle at midfield and fast ball is coming in the open spaces of Croke Park, most defences can struggle. But overall Meath promotion was based on a couple of top class defenders and Meath defence as a whole defending brillantly.
Donegal I think will be up for this. Ulster championship is around the corner. This is a young team who won Ulster last year and will.want to add a national title , as they develop. A comprehensive Donegal victory cud not be ruled out. Meath are not the finished article. I feel next year Meath will be more stronger to deal with teams like Donegal. But saying that we have improved greatly that u couldnt rule out a Meath victory. A Meath victory wud indicate Meath are making huge and significant progress. But if Meath were to lose badly I wouldn't read to much into it. Donegal r simply a stronger team and further on their development as a team then Meath. I think Meath will have more ups and downs and supporters will be saying comments like its another false dawn. Its wouldnt be another false dawn. Why? Meaths improvement has allot to do with 4 or 5 under 21 making a straightaway impact this year. This is the first time since this has happened for years. And if you examine things on the ground on Meath there is lots of young talent coming thru, the best since 90s. Overall Meath and also kildare will be more stronger in the coming years.
Another worry is the dymanic of these league finals. They have followed a thread in last two years. In 2017 Kildare were not expected to be promoted. They were the surprise team in 2017. Galway were favourites after winning Connacht title the year beforehand. Galway at times were not overly impressive in league but still reached the final. In the final kildare the surprise team played poorly and Galway won easily. Last year the surprise team was Cavan . Cavan were brillant in last seasons league. Roscommon were favourites for promotion but overall didnt play great in the division but still were promoted. In the final Roscommon were impressive v surprise promtion team Cavan.
U can see the pattern in the last 2 league div 2 finals . Galway in 2017 and Roscommon in 2018 played well in the final and won after being favourites to be promoted and were current provincial champions at the time. While kildare in 2017 and Cavan 2017, no one expected to get promoted. Both counties were delighted when they were promoted. Almost the fans were in celebratory mood when they were promoted. But when it came to the finals they were poor.
So u can see the trend , Donegal favourites just like Galway and Roscommon in the last two finals , played well while Meath r in the same boat as Kildare and Cavan in last two finals. Hopefully Meath dont follow kildare and Cavans performance. I have a feeling when a team wins promotion no one expected, when they win promotion, theyre is a celebratory mood in the county . While the other teams who people expected to be promted ie Galway Roscommon and Donegal, come into the final more focussed on adding a national title to their provicial title. I dont know. But there has been a trend , a pattern in the last two finals . And it will be interesting to see if Meaths performance is any way similar to kildare in 2017 league final or Cavan last year.
It must be said though Donegal v Meath games are usually very tight affairs with Donegal always usually winning in modern times. Prior to 2000 Meath and Donegal were tight affairs where usually Meath alway won. Since 2000 the games are always close but Donegal usually always win. Since 2000 Donegal and Ulster teams in general have been bogey teams for Meath and also kildare. Meath were knocked out 7 times in last 15 years by Ulster opposition in the championship. Kildare 7 or 8 times were beaten by Ulster opposition in 15 years out of the championship. Our last three games , Meath drew with Donegal in 2014 , lost by point in 2017 v Donegal and lost by 2 points this year. In every one of those 3 games with ten minutes to go Meath looked like the likely winner. But Donegal got over the line. A Meath victory would be very significant for Meath . It would signify Meath beating a top 5 or 6 team in the country fo the first time since hammering Dublin in 2010.
So it should be a good game. How Meath deal with the great Michael Murphy will have a big bearing on the game. But overall the championship will be the main concern for both counties overall. But a national title would be great boost for both of these young teams development.
PS Just regards the gesture by the Meath county board before the league game after the terrible tragedy that happened a few days before the match which directly impacted players on the Donegal panel and Donegal fans. The idea for the gesture came from the Meath players themselves. The Meath players went to the county board and asked them could they do something before the game. I know the Donegal supporters appreciated the gesture.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 28/03/2019 06:06:39
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Replying To Foreveraroyal: "OK what about McKeever and Conlon from Simonstown. It would be great Alan Forde back O'Coilean would be a great addition too. Any chance of Ronan Jones coming???. Is Donncha Tobin out of the reckoning aswell. Great to Alan Nestor back playing well with Blackhall Gaels has had his fair share bad luck over the few years. When on the Meath panel he was quite good would like to him if he was up to it. Cheers" O'Coileain will be back for the Championship.
Forde hasn't pulled on an O'Mahonys jersey yet so hard to see him being back on the Meath panel this year.
Donncha Tobin is moved to or moving to Wexford to live.
Ronan Jones is still in college in America, due Home in May but unlikely to be back on the panel before the autumn.
Alan Nestor is on the hurling panel or at least he was for the league. Haven't heard if he's still on it for the Christy Ring Cup.
Can't see Andy asking Conlon or McKeever back in for the Championship after they walked away last year.
jackhackett (Meath) - Posts: 773 - 28/03/2019 07:40:19
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Replying To Northsidegaels: "He hasn't even played with o mahonys yet, he wont be playing for meath this year you've some sources rd!!" Well that's what I heard, isn't he back training with Omahony's too??? He won't play for Meath this year , but he is around the panel etc as he has a very close relationship with mcentee
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/03/2019 08:00:03
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Replying To jackhackett: "Yeah I didn't mention Jason.
He was on the bench against Donegal in Ballybofey and came on" Am I right in saying he is still eligible for u20s?
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/03/2019 08:02:08
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Replying To royaldunne: "Am I right in saying he is still eligible for u20s?" Nah, Scully is overage for the 20's.
He was a Minor along with Campion, Devine and Conlon.
jackhackett (Meath) - Posts: 773 - 28/03/2019 09:38:45
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