Replying To Furlong1949:  "What do people think about the injury situation?. Do we have an injury crisis?. I cannot remeber any stage in Andys tenure so many injuries. We had 10 players injured on saturday. Pretty much ten first team starters. All of these players started in the super 8s last year.

Players injured on saturday were Micheal Newman, Donal Lenihan, Padraig Harnan , Seamus Lavin , Shane Gallagher , Shane McEntee , Ethan Devine, Cillian Sullivan , Dara Campion and Byran McMahon. Every single one of those players played v Mayo or kerry in Meaths last competitive games. If fit everyone of them would pretty much start.

5 of the players have had operaitions . They are Newman, Harnan, Lavin , S McEntee and Devine. Newman is out for 5 or 6 months. Harnan is out fot 3 or 4 months. Devine will also miss the whole league also. Lavin and S McEntee I dont know the timescale. I think Lavin might be available in first couple of games. But that is not certain. Campion looks like he is out for the league.

It does mean for the championshop along with Ronan Jones returning we should have Newman , Harnan, Devine and Campion returning. Thats going to substantially improve our bench in the championship. But the league is a concern. Big worry would be Lenihan, Gallagher , Sullivan and McMahon. These ten players missing with injury means we are without two corner backs eg Lavin and Gallagher. One of our best defenders eg Harnan. Our first choice midfielder last year eg S McEntee. And our two best inside forwards eg Lenihan and Nenman. And our whole half forward line from last year eg Sullivan , McMahon , Devine and Campion.

Hopefully we get a few players back for Tyrone and then Donegal and Mayo. Thats 3 weeks and game 2 and 3 is 4 and 5 weeks. Injuries can clear up in that time scale. But we know are definately gone for months eg Newman , Devine , Harnan and Campion. But if we could get most of the rest back I think we can deal.with the injuries. But if we have 9 or 10 first team starters missing v Tyrone that is a huge concern. Our panel has improved with new talent and returning players. But can we deal.with so many injuries? Hopefully we get a few back for Tyrone.

Yes we have players returning eg Brian Conlon, Joey Wallace, Eamon Wallace , Donal lenihan , Paddy kennelly and Jones will be back for championship and the emergence of new young talent eg Shane Walsh , Matthew Costello and Jack O Connor. When we get all our injured players back hopefully by the championship , the return of experienced players and new young talent. Its means there will be serious conpetition for places on our first 15 and also the match panel. Our midfield options are substantially improved with addition of Brian Conlon, Ronan Jones and Paddy Kennelly. Our full forward line is substantially improved with addition of Donal lenihan , Joey Wallace , Oisin O Brien , Shane Walsh , Jack Connor and I expect Jordan Morris will be called onto seniors after under 20s. We have some real good young talent forwards coming through eg Shane Walsh 19 , Dara Campion 20 , Ethan Devine 20 , James Conlon 20 , Jordan Morris 19 , Matthew Costello 18 and Jack Connor 19. All under 21 its long time we had such young forward talent making an immediate impact.

Walsh is very young we need to be careful with him but he is a big addition, he gives a fulcrum to the attack , he gives a target man option something we havent had in years. Also his freetaking is good. It looks he will take frees in league. I think he is a freetaker that could hit 80 % plus mark with Dean Rocks or Ciillian O Connors hit. Jack O Connor and Costello could start v Tyrone. I thought Costello was brillant on Saturday. I have feeling he will start. Himself and Campion are very exciting half forwards for future. Costello has vision somwthing you dont see now much for half forwards.

A player I am a big fan of is Jordan Morris. He was excellent v Dublin in under 20s. Like Walsh and Connor he has the physique for inter county football. He reminds me a bit of Ollie Murphy. I am not saying he is as good. We dont know how good he can become , but he is a serious prospect. James Conlon was brillant in leinster championship v Offaly , Carlow and laois last year. I think he is a player in 2 or 3 years time when he 23 24 or 25. When gets nore strenght and conditioning and learns his trade he has serious potential. I would use him and Joey Wallace as impacts subs in the league. If you bring Joey Wallace , James Conlon and Eamon Wallace on in last 10 or 15 mins thats allot of pace for opposition defenders to deal with in the dying minutes. Barry Dardis , Sean Toibin and Oisin O Brien are also potential impact subs. Dardis and especially Toibin looked good on sat. And O Brien everytime he comes on , he scores , thats all you want an impact sub to do. I think our bench could keep us in the league div 1 . But injuries is an issue.

Regards Tyrone McShane is not gone yet. Tadgh Kennelly has said he wouldnt be going this year. So its hard to know if he will go or stay. Tyrone have had a better pre season then us. They didnt play well v Cavan but still.won by 6 points. They beat Armagh last night and scored 3 - 18. Tyrone in Omagh is one toughest places to go in the country. They could have a poor league if McShane and Donnelly are missing but they could also get to league final. They have been in top 4 or 5 teams in the country for last few years and at half time in All Ireland semi final v kerry last year ,they looked like they were going to reach their second All Ireland final in 2 years. Tyrone are not easy opposition and the one county outside Ulster , they love to beat is us. We have a chance but it wouldnt be easy.
If we win it would be a landmark win for Meath..We havent beaten an Ulster team in Ulster in the league since 2015. And we havent beaten one best teams in the country in the league in 14 years since Eamon Barrys Meath beat Armagh in the league in 2006. So any victory in this years league will be first time we have beaten one of the best teams in the country in well over a decade. It could be a real.turning point. I think if we could get one victory early v top team on in the league everything coulf snowball.

I felt a few weeks ago we would stay in div 1 and have a better season then last year in 2020. My major concern is this injury issue. If our team and panel are seriously depleted for Tyrone and Donegal and Mayo games, it could really scupper our chances. And we could even be at the risk of some bad beatings. My gut feeling is we will stay in div 1. But as I said this injury issue is critical. We need Lenihan , Sullivan and McMahon and Gallagher fit for Tyrone. Lenihan is a real.worry. If we are down Newman and lenihan thats a major concern.

Even though it must be said these young Meath forwards have a bit old swagger and belief of Meaths forwards of Old. Since 2010 we havent been producing great young forward talent. It seems as we enter 2020s , there is a group of young talentede forwards who have great confidence talent and are showing a fearlessness we havent seen from Meath young forwards in a while.

I think these young forwards have allot of traits of Meaths forwards of the past. Im not saying they are as good as O Rourke or Giles. We dont know how good they will come. We only know that in 5 or 6 years time fully. But just the way tbey walk onto the team and perform straightaway with no fear and with great aplomb. I havent seen young Meath forwards making such an immdiate impact on Meath seniors in years. We had the youngest forwards in the super 8s with 5 forwards aged 18 19 and 20. 4 Meath forwards played in Byrne cup v louth were 19 years old. We dont know how good they will become. But I have been very impressed especially with Shane Walsh and Matthew Costello, they are real prospects. And Walsh at 19 is one of our most important players. Campion, Morris, J Conlon , Devine and O Connor have also impressed. Aaron Lynch and Luke Mitchell are also real prospects from under 20s. While young Eoghan Frayne with this years minors is a brillant prospect.

It great to see young Meath exciting forward talent coming on the scene. Forwards are always players who win you big matchs and competitions. We dont know how good they can become. But Shane Walsh and Dara Campion causing kerry huge problems in Super 8s , Matthew Costello excellent v Laois on Sunday , James Conlon scoring points for fun v laois in leinstet semi final , Devines catch v Clare last year. Jack O Connor being top scorer in Meath at 19. All these are great signs. We dont know how good they can become. But I have been very impressed with them. Our improvement has allot to with the confidence and positivty these young forwards are bringing to the panel."

Replying To brian:  "Give it a rest lad."

Replying To Thejoeshow:  "Just a quick one about injuries, a lot on here reporting players will be out months etc etc Devine and campion had minor surgery and neither will be out for "the entire league" as mentioned here. Same story goes for Harnan/Lavin/McEntee it's weeks not months. Lenihan will be in contention for first game too.
As for Sullivan and Bryan McMahon there's no talk of any injury or risk to missing any games. The one certainly out is Micky Newman and given his injury history no harm in being careful in bringing him back."

Replying To royaldunne:  "I see plenty of new accounts popping up with very similar tone to one that was caught out agreeing with himself on a post, while forgetting to log into another. The fact he/she is still allowed on here is ridiculous. Thinking of giving this a miss until proper admins are put in. It's gone to the dogs."

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "Its about time we beat Tyrone. I am personally sick of coming up short against Tyrone in recent years. Injuries or no injuries. Its about time we step up to the plate with regard this fixture. Last year its something that went under the radar a lot was how lucky we where with regard injuries, Barring the Niall Keane horrible injury, and a few others injuries we got away with it. We where very lucky with regard to top players in keoghan Menton Lavin etc year. I too am worried about injuries but if we lads coming back maybe we might get away it just about."

Replying To Young_gael:  "Agreed. The qualifier in Navan a few years back was a tough loss. We would not have progressed any further that given year but to go down after extra time, after throwing away an injury time advantage was brutal. Questionable referee also. Tyrone are likely to be missing McShane which is a bonus to any opposition. Meath/Tyrone games are always dour, tough, stodgy affairs. Tyrone might have the advantage over the last 10/12 years but they always seem to just pip Meath to the win by a few scores. Their ability to defend and grind their way to victory just seems to be able to get the job done against Meath teams, who are, with respect, more naive and conservative in their approach. Meath have been altogether too nice for a long time, and a positive is that McEntee seems to appreciate that fact also. The injury list is fairly comprehensive lads, we will need everyone if we are to do anything in this league, and the extent of the list is disheartening. I really hope that the squad collectively can step up to the plate come league time, because realistically I'm starting to think that we may struggle to compete, and might already be looking at 1/2 games as targets to avoid relegation. Not a good place to be in January. As always, a I hope my pessimism is misguided and I'll be at any games I can be. It is an exciting time to have games against the best sides lined up rather than the typically attritional opponents we are used to meeting in div.2 league.

On a side note, Royaldunne is right about this forum. It's saturated by troll accounts. Likely all the one poster judging by the similarity of the comments. They are consistently hijacking threads and leaving clever one liners and attacking posters with red thumbs, etc, I have to say it's very sad, pathetic behaviour and whoever you are, you should stop and let people use this platform as it is meant to be used, ultimately the joke is on you. Admins, take note. The nationwide forum is a far better alternative at the moment, these types don't seem to have the gall to post on it."

Replying To Royal.Legend:  "I think our injury list is being exadurated a little bit though younge Gael, the only ones I heard for sure that's gone long term is harnan and Newman, big losses but we seem to have a strong squad this year and to be honest I'm confident we can pick up the points from Tyrone donegal mayo galway Monaghan to hang on to our division one status, really looking forward to it now and its great to be back to where we belong."

Replying To Young_gael:  "Agreed. The qualifier in Navan a few years back was a tough loss. We would not have progressed any further that given year but to go down after extra time, after throwing away an injury time advantage was brutal. Questionable referee also. Tyrone are likely to be missing McShane which is a bonus to any opposition. Meath/Tyrone games are always dour, tough, stodgy affairs. Tyrone might have the advantage over the last 10/12 years but they always seem to just pip Meath to the win by a few scores. Their ability to defend and grind their way to victory just seems to be able to get the job done against Meath teams, who are, with respect, more naive and conservative in their approach. Meath have been altogether too nice for a long time, and a positive is that McEntee seems to appreciate that fact also. The injury list is fairly comprehensive lads, we will need everyone if we are to do anything in this league, and the extent of the list is disheartening. I really hope that the squad collectively can step up to the plate come league time, because realistically I'm starting to think that we may struggle to compete, and might already be looking at 1/2 games as targets to avoid relegation. Not a good place to be in January. As always, a I hope my pessimism is misguided and I'll be at any games I can be. It is an exciting time to have games against the best sides lined up rather than the typically attritional opponents we are used to meeting in div.2 league.

On a side note, Royaldunne is right about this forum. It's saturated by troll accounts. Likely all the one poster judging by the similarity of the comments. They are consistently hijacking threads and leaving clever one liners and attacking posters with red thumbs, etc, I have to say it's very sad, pathetic behaviour and whoever you are, you should stop and let people use this platform as it is meant to be used, ultimately the joke is on you. Admins, take note. The nationwide forum is a far better alternative at the moment, these types don't seem to have the gall to post on it."

Replying To royaldunne:  "On a side note , can anyone give a clearer picture of the injured players. I was reading somewhere a list of names that are medium to long term injuries and it would make the hairs on back of neck stand up. Others seem to say differently, the one consensus is that both Newman and harnan will miss the league. Both are Huge loss , but I think we have cover for harnan , Newman I would agree is a slightly more serious loss, but hopefully with walsh and lenihane that can be mitigated somewhat.
Have we any more? How's Kane getting on? Any word on Shane Mc? Any updates would be appreciated."

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "Recent we are meath podcast has injury information in it apparently. I didn't hear it myself but I hope too. I don't know if you listened to that or not"

Replying To royaldunne:  "I'll check it out. Haven't listened to it either myself. But I will. Thanks"

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "I skipped through the last to podcasts I didn't hear anything. So I am not sure which one had it. I might have missed it though. I dont have much patience though :)"

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "I skipped through the last to podcasts I didn't hear anything. So I am not sure which one had it. I might have missed it though. I dont have much patience though :)"

Replying To Young_gael:  "Agreed. The qualifier in Navan a few years back was a tough loss. We would not have progressed any further that given year but to go down after extra time, after throwing away an injury time advantage was brutal. Questionable referee also. Tyrone are likely to be missing McShane which is a bonus to any opposition. Meath/Tyrone games are always dour, tough, stodgy affairs. Tyrone might have the advantage over the last 10/12 years but they always seem to just pip Meath to the win by a few scores. Their ability to defend and grind their way to victory just seems to be able to get the job done against Meath teams, who are, with respect, more naive and conservative in their approach. Meath have been altogether too nice for a long time, and a positive is that McEntee seems to appreciate that fact also. The injury list is fairly comprehensive lads, we will need everyone if we are to do anything in this league, and the extent of the list is disheartening. I really hope that the squad collectively can step up to the plate come league time, because realistically I'm starting to think that we may struggle to compete, and might already be looking at 1/2 games as targets to avoid relegation. Not a good place to be in January. As always, a I hope my pessimism is misguided and I'll be at any games I can be. It is an exciting time to have games against the best sides lined up rather than the typically attritional opponents we are used to meeting in div.2 league.

On a side note, Royaldunne is right about this forum. It's saturated by troll accounts. Likely all the one poster judging by the similarity of the comments. They are consistently hijacking threads and leaving clever one liners and attacking posters with red thumbs, etc, I have to say it's very sad, pathetic behaviour and whoever you are, you should stop and let people use this platform as it is meant to be used, ultimately the joke is on you. Admins, take note. The nationwide forum is a far better alternative at the moment, these types don't seem to have the gall to post on it."

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "I skipped through the last to podcasts I didn't hear anything. So I am not sure which one had it. I might have missed it though. I dont have much patience though :)"