Meath Forum

Meath V Donegal

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Just watched the match back for the first time. We really rued them missed/disallowed goal chances, but that first half was an absolute joy to see. Struggling to think back when we have played as well, as Donegal are genuine top class. This new crop they have coming through will see to them challenging consistently over the next few years along with what they have, but we were more than a match, with the obvious Murphy making the difference.

It's often forgotten that while we enjoyed our worst period in memory, the game has moved to unprecedented levels in terms of quality. As an aside for where we are at, I certainly wouldn't put much between Mayo and Donegal, if anything I would see Donegal as being better equipped to challenge this year, for us to come away feeling disappointed after losing that Sunday shows how far we have come.

On the game itself main positives for me that weren't already covered in the league was Mickey Newman lighting up Croke Park, anyone who questioned whether he still had that in him now has their answer. Gives plenty to get excited about for the summer. On the Croke Park factor, McMahon looked a different player too, thought he was brilliant and turned out to be a real loss. Wing forward definitely looks to be the one for him, if he can keep consistency he'll cause problems for anyone in there with direct and clever running.

I remember Andy saying some time ago he wanted to give Meath fans a team we can really get behind and he's certainly done that. That's been my overriding feeling since promotion was secured. The hard slog is done now with the goal achieved, looking forward now to this group showing what they're capable of on the big stage in the summer.

dunboynelad (Meath) - Posts: 227 - 02/04/2019 18:22:09    2177341

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Replying To dunboynelad:  "Just watched the match back for the first time. We really rued them missed/disallowed goal chances, but that first half was an absolute joy to see. Struggling to think back when we have played as well, as Donegal are genuine top class. This new crop they have coming through will see to them challenging consistently over the next few years along with what they have, but we were more than a match, with the obvious Murphy making the difference.

It's often forgotten that while we enjoyed our worst period in memory, the game has moved to unprecedented levels in terms of quality. As an aside for where we are at, I certainly wouldn't put much between Mayo and Donegal, if anything I would see Donegal as being better equipped to challenge this year, for us to come away feeling disappointed after losing that Sunday shows how far we have come.

On the game itself main positives for me that weren't already covered in the league was Mickey Newman lighting up Croke Park, anyone who questioned whether he still had that in him now has their answer. Gives plenty to get excited about for the summer. On the Croke Park factor, McMahon looked a different player too, thought he was brilliant and turned out to be a real loss. Wing forward definitely looks to be the one for him, if he can keep consistency he'll cause problems for anyone in there with direct and clever running.

I remember Andy saying some time ago he wanted to give Meath fans a team we can really get behind and he's certainly done that. That's been my overriding feeling since promotion was secured. The hard slog is done now with the goal achieved, looking forward now to this group showing what they're capable of on the big stage in the summer."
Good post. That's also my over-riding feeling. As Furlong has also said, I think we have moved to another level and this promotion marks the end of the barren post 2010 years. The fact that we have better structures in place and some very exciting youngsters coming through re-enforces this and should allow us to progress and establish ourselves as a top 8 county.

I do think however that for the purposes of this year and to give Div 1 a good bash next year, we need a much stronger bench including a couple of more pacey wing backs (for the last 15 minutes to keep up our intensity), an all action midfielder (a fielder who Colgan could target when under pressure in second half and he kept hitting it long, maybe this should have been Flanagan) and a couple of scoring forwards (McKeever and Lenihan have the ability if interested, as do Costello and McBride, Donegal had no problem playing an 18 year old!). I'd also like to see Dardis being given a go at all long range frees because he is a lad who has the natural cockiness required and his 45 last Saturday was sensational (why didn't he take the 4 kickable frees we got in last ten minutes?).

All in all a hugely positive and exciting time and we certainly have a team to get behind.

Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1318 - 03/04/2019 10:18:33    2177448

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It's very refreshing to hear Andy's interviews after the match, no excuses no bs, we finally have the right man on board. The cb must NOW ensure that he is given another 3 years to finish the job he started. No point having question marks over next year hanging over us going into championship

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/04/2019 15:19:25    2177512

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Replying To royaldunne:  "It's very refreshing to hear Andy's interviews after the match, no excuses no bs, we finally have the right man on board. The cb must NOW ensure that he is given another 3 years to finish the job he started. No point having question marks over next year hanging over us going into championship"
McEntee has done a brilliant job to get us promoted to Division 1 especially after two poor seasons. He deserves to lead us in Division 1 next year however we should reserve judgement until after the championship. It will take another massive effort to get into the Super 8s. He's straight talking and honest but he needs to control his aggression on the sidelines a bit more. He's not wrong with his comments about Michael Murphy getting in the referees ear either.

ISupposeSoSheehan (Meath) - Posts: 86 - 03/04/2019 16:49:46    2177538

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Replying To ISupposeSoSheehan:  "McEntee has done a brilliant job to get us promoted to Division 1 especially after two poor seasons. He deserves to lead us in Division 1 next year however we should reserve judgement until after the championship. It will take another massive effort to get into the Super 8s. He's straight talking and honest but he needs to control his aggression on the sidelines a bit more. He's not wrong with his comments about Michael Murphy getting in the referees ear either."
I don't see a problem with his passion on the sidelines, I'm not having a pop at anyone but nothing use to frustrate me more than seeing someone motionless with arms folded and not one bit of passion. Andy is a passionate Meath man and let's it show, it raises the players and more so the supporters. , and don't think getting to super 8s should determine his position, he has already achieved the goal for this year imo.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/04/2019 20:02:16    2177577

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Replying To ISupposeSoSheehan:  "McEntee has done a brilliant job to get us promoted to Division 1 especially after two poor seasons. He deserves to lead us in Division 1 next year however we should reserve judgement until after the championship. It will take another massive effort to get into the Super 8s. He's straight talking and honest but he needs to control his aggression on the sidelines a bit more. He's not wrong with his comments about Michael Murphy getting in the referees ear either."
Andy Mac should have been given a 5 year contract to begin with. Rome wasn't built in a day, or three years. There's nobody more equipped to manage us than him.

GlasgowRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 293 - 03/04/2019 20:21:01    2177579

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Is Mc Entee on a career break at the moment ? Would he be available for another 2 or 3 years ?

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 03/04/2019 20:28:37    2177580

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I don't see a problem with his passion on the sidelines, I'm not having a pop at anyone but nothing use to frustrate me more than seeing someone motionless with arms folded and not one bit of passion. Andy is a passionate Meath man and let's it show, it raises the players and more so the supporters. , and don't think getting to super 8s should determine his position, he has already achieved the goal for this year imo."
There is nothing wrong with showing passion but going ballistic from time to time at refereeing decisions is another thing and could work against us. I'd imagine the goal for the year was to win promotion to the league and to reach the Super 8s. We're half way there in achieving that.

ISupposeSoSheehan (Meath) - Posts: 86 - 03/04/2019 21:12:23    2177586

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Replying To GlasgowRoyal:  "Andy Mac should have been given a 5 year contract to begin with. Rome wasn't built in a day, or three years. There's nobody more equipped to manage us than him."
I would agree that he's the best man for the job. But I don't agree with Royaldunne's comments about question marks over who will be managing us next year hanging over us going into the summer. No Meath fans I know are talking about his future.

ISupposeSoSheehan (Meath) - Posts: 86 - 03/04/2019 21:23:11    2177588

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Replying To ISupposeSoSheehan:  "I would agree that he's the best man for the job. But I don't agree with Royaldunne's comments about question marks over who will be managing us next year hanging over us going into the summer. No Meath fans I know are talking about his future."
I think Andy mc Entee's position as manager is not in question. Developments in the last 3 months have seen us progress to Div1 Perhaps at the end of his 3 year tenure is more appropriate to take stock. No doubt Andy himself will have his views ,and be keen to retain his strenghtened backroom team ,and improve resources generally .. No doubt all concerned have to take a bow for the progress this year. If that progress is maintained this year,and IF Andy wants to continue then its automatic. No need to deviate from terms agreed at this point in my view.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1224 - 03/04/2019 23:05:25    2177601

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Replying To ISupposeSoSheehan:  "I would agree that he's the best man for the job. But I don't agree with Royaldunne's comments about question marks over who will be managing us next year hanging over us going into the summer. No Meath fans I know are talking about his future."
Before league there was a fair few. They gone quite now.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 04/04/2019 08:48:33    2177621

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I don't see a problem with his passion on the sidelines, I'm not having a pop at anyone but nothing use to frustrate me more than seeing someone motionless with arms folded and not one bit of passion. Andy is a passionate Meath man and let's it show, it raises the players and more so the supporters. , and don't think getting to super 8s should determine his position, he has already achieved the goal for this year imo."
Mickey Harte never moves on the sideline, Jim Gavin, Sean Boylan was always calm. I am a massive fan of Andy and back him to take this county back where they belong but that comment is fairly stupid

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1458 - 04/04/2019 09:23:50    2177624

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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99:  "Mickey Harte never moves on the sideline, Jim Gavin, Sean Boylan was always calm. I am a massive fan of Andy and back him to take this county back where they belong but that comment is fairly stupid"
Sean Boylan was always very passionate, and would often have words with refs linesmen etc, as for Gavin?? Ahh come on totally different considering they are professional in all but name, and also he has ripped rte , refused to do interviews, won't allow players talk to media. As for harte well the rte ban is well known. I prefer to look at the likes of heffo, mick odywere who were always passionate on sidelines,

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 04/04/2019 10:32:55    2177641

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Sean Boylan was always very passionate, and would often have words with refs linesmen etc, as for Gavin?? Ahh come on totally different considering they are professional in all but name, and also he has ripped rte , refused to do interviews, won't allow players talk to media. As for harte well the rte ban is well known. I prefer to look at the likes of heffo, mick odywere who were always passionate on sidelines,"
Different strokes for different folks I guess. But no way is the wrong way. Passion is good and it's the way Andy operates and his personality. But he also has to remain a bit calmer at times and I think he has gotten a bit better at this

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1458 - 04/04/2019 11:32:44    2177650

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We are playing good football hence we need to keep our football coach leave the other stuff to the manager that's his job back room team selectors food etc.

Reco (Meath) - Posts: 419 - 04/04/2019 14:57:44    2177706

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Replying To Reco:  "We are playing good football hence we need to keep our football coach leave the other stuff to the manager that's his job back room team selectors food etc."
I think you will find that Andy actually has more input this year than the last two. Nally has definitely added something, all praise must go to Andy Ben and graham for getting him onboard. But our success is primarily down to a fantastic manager, who I don't feel we give enough credit to.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 04/04/2019 15:26:04    2177713

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I think you will find that Andy actually has more input this year than the last two. Nally has definitely added something, all praise must go to Andy Ben and graham for getting him onboard. But our success is primarily down to a fantastic manager, who I don't feel we give enough credit to."
I say full credit to ALL concerned this year. I understand the need for a person to take complete charge of coaching the team was identified . Colm Nally was identified as that person . He was known to several players incidently who happened to speak positively about Colm. Andy agreed and saw Colm as a valuable resource that could fill the need identified.
In my view that is what any good manager does 1 identify a need firstly 2. fill that need. 3 review on an ongoing basis . Full credit to Andy as manager. Full credit to Colm Nally who has had a massive influence in establishing the best coached Meath team in several years. Long may it continue that when needs are identified action is taken to fill that need. That is the direct opposite to continuing to do the same thing, and hoping for a different outcome. Well done to all.....thats progress !1

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1224 - 04/04/2019 16:35:05    2177721

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I think you will find that Andy actually has more input this year than the last two. Nally has definitely added something, all praise must go to Andy Ben and graham for getting him onboard. But our success is primarily down to a fantastic manager, who I don't feel we give enough credit to."
Just on this rd who had the reins the last few years just a question.

Reco (Meath) - Posts: 419 - 07/04/2019 08:39:53    2177947

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I think you will find that Andy actually has more input this year than the last two. Nally has definitely added something, all praise must go to Andy Ben and graham for getting him onboard. But our success is primarily down to a fantastic manager, who I don't feel we give enough credit to."
Ah come on Royaldunne, I agree with a lot of what you post here but to start saying now at this stage that Andy did not have much input the last two years and now, as things are improving, he is having an influence does yourself, this forum and even Andy himself no credit.

oldsam_newsam (Meath) - Posts: 638 - 07/04/2019 11:28:02    2177952

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Replying To oldsam_newsam:  "Ah come on Royaldunne, I agree with a lot of what you post here but to start saying now at this stage that Andy did not have much input the last two years and now, as things are improving, he is having an influence does yourself, this forum and even Andy himself no credit."
He has taken over more aspects. According to co board. Just relaying what was said.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/04/2019 17:15:24    2177972

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