Meath Forum

Best Ever Meath Line-Up From Players You Have Seen Play Live.

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Replying To seadog54:  "McGill has a long way to go before he reaches the level of Fay,Lyons, Quinn or Kevin Reilly."
Totally agree with that

1. C Sullivan
2 R O Malley
3 .Mick Lyons
4 Mark o Reilly
5. G Geraghty
6. L Harnan
7 M O Connell
8 J Mc Dermott
9 G Mc Entee
10 T Dowd
11 T Giles
12 S Bray
13 C O Rourke
14 B Stafford
15 B Flynn

A team of legends and another 15 could easily be picked

1. B Murphy
2. C Murphy
3. D Fay
4 T Ferguson
5 K Foley
6. D Keoghan
7. C Coyle
8 L Hayes
9. N Crawford
10. J Devine
11. Joe Cassells
12 M Mc Cabe
13 Ol Murphy
14 J Sheridan
15 C Ward

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1489 - 10/04/2020 17:20:37    2275718

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Just on a slight tangent, pundit arena picked there greatest 25 midfielders of all time, no sign of John McDermott........what makes this worse is it had Ciaran Whelan, Michael dmc, Dermot early ( kildare) , aidan walsh, Mattie donnelly and a few other really bad calls. is mcdermott not one of the best midfielders of this generation?? He destroyed many on the list year on year. Gerry mcentee was the only meath man on it, I'd say mcdermott would edge him out...just.

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 11/04/2020 09:33:13    2275753

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Replying To seadog54:  "McGill has a long way to go before he reaches the level of Fay,Lyons, Quinn or Kevin Reilly."
McGill has a long way to go before he reaches level of fay and Lyons for sure..... but Kevin Reilly?? I'm not sure reilly is that far ahead of McGill if even ahead of him at all. Reilly started out brilliantly, but just got injured too much to be considered in any "team of" imo. Sure in meaths best period of this era, 07 to 09 I don't think he even played full back. Went back there in 2010 but wasnt a dominant force at all that year or any year after, still fierce solid, don't get me wrong, but so is McGill.....and I don't think Reilly played against much better opposition as a full back too often either. If he stayed at 3 and was injury free I think he had potential to be a real great, but he didn't and he wasn't so he can't be regarded as one.

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 11/04/2020 10:10:00    2275756

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Replying To bert09:  "I would have Fay or McGill over Lyons"
That for me is a statement from someone who either doesn't understand the game or someone who hasn't seen all three players play. What for me set Lyons apart from the other 2 full backs was the presence he had around his area. Cant say Fay or McGill were ever even close to being as dominant in the square as Lyons was. I know we can make excuses but one way or another Joyce would never have kicked 10 points in an All Ireland final against Mick Lyons. In today's game probably the outstanding full forward in the game at the minute is Michael Murphy, Fay or McGill do and would struggle with him. However I would see Lyons as more than a match for him. In fairness to McGill I think hes coming on in leaps and bounds and down in Killarmey I thought he done a great job on Clifford and hopefully in years to come we will be including him in sentences alongside the likes of Lyons, Quinn and to slightly lesser extent Fay.

hootervillian (Meath) - Posts: 308 - 11/04/2020 12:52:13    2275762

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Replying To hootervillian:  "That for me is a statement from someone who either doesn't understand the game or someone who hasn't seen all three players play. What for me set Lyons apart from the other 2 full backs was the presence he had around his area. Cant say Fay or McGill were ever even close to being as dominant in the square as Lyons was. I know we can make excuses but one way or another Joyce would never have kicked 10 points in an All Ireland final against Mick Lyons. In today's game probably the outstanding full forward in the game at the minute is Michael Murphy, Fay or McGill do and would struggle with him. However I would see Lyons as more than a match for him. In fairness to McGill I think hes coming on in leaps and bounds and down in Killarmey I thought he done a great job on Clifford and hopefully in years to come we will be including him in sentences alongside the likes of Lyons, Quinn and to slightly lesser extent Fay."
When the word Legend is used, in this county the one of the first names that comes to.mind to is Mick Lyons and given some of the footballers we have had, that says something . Even the Dubs admire and respect him. Remember when he got sent off against them and rather than walk as the crow flies to the dug out he went behind goals and walked with head up around the hill, class

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1489 - 11/04/2020 15:28:11    2275771

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I started going to Meath games in 1996 (not a bad year to start!), so that excludes largely the great team of the 80s for me but anyway here goes

1. Brendan Murphy
2. Mark O'Reilly
3. Darren Fay
4. Martin O'Connell
5. Donal Keogan
6. Enda McManus
7. Anthony Moyles
8. Conor Gillespie (Crawford unlucky but I thought Gillespie was excellent before injury robbed him of career)
9. John McDermott
10. Tommy Dowd
11. Trevor Giles
12. Cian Ward
13. Stephen Bray
14. Graham Geraghty
15. Ollie Murphy

Lots of players unlucky to lose out, such as Evan Kelly, Joe Sheridan, Graham Reilly, Donnacha Tobin, Shane O'Rourke, Cormac Sullivan, Eoin Harrington and a few others but I'm happy enough with that selection.

Even taking away the team of the 80s, we've had some fcukin savage forwards!

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 12/04/2020 11:29:23    2275802

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Please forgive an outsider from butting in.
My first recollection of Meath football dates from 1966/67. Two names from that era jump out; Jack Quinn and 'Red' Collier. I would have to include both. This would mean Mick Lyons at No. 4, Darren Fay at No. 6 and Graham Geraghty at No.12.
Sullivan, O'Malley, Quinn, Lyons, Collier, Fay, O,Connell, McDermott, McEntee, Giles, Rennicks, Geraghty, O'Rourke, Stafford, Flynn. Subs McQuillan, Cassells, Reynolds Snr., Dowd, Ollie Murphy, Kerrigan.

tommy58 (Dublin) - Posts: 169 - 12/04/2020 12:32:11    2275810

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1.Cormac Sullivan
2.Bob omalley
3.Darran day
4.mark Reilly
5. Graham geraghty
6.joe Cassells
7.martin oconnell
8.liam hayes
9. John McDermott
10. Trevor Giles
11. Colm o Rourke
12. TOMMY Dowd
13. Ollie Murphy
14. Brian Stafford
15 Bernard Flynn

bobjaffacake (Meath) - Posts: 1400 - 12/04/2020 12:59:25    2275812

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For the record heres my team:
0 Sullivan
O malley
M Lyons
O Connell
Donal Keoghan
Harnan
Geraghty
McDermot
McEntee
Giles
Dowd
Steven Bray
O Rourke
Ollie Murphy
Flynn

I know people will wonder where Stafford is but with Giles on the team taking the frees we can fit Ollie in who was just an unbelieveable footballer.

hootervillian (Meath) - Posts: 308 - 12/04/2020 16:40:00    2275825

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Replying To hootervillian:  "For the record heres my team:
0 Sullivan
O malley
M Lyons
O Connell
Donal Keoghan
Harnan
Geraghty
McDermot
McEntee
Giles
Dowd
Steven Bray
O Rourke
Ollie Murphy
Flynn

I know people will wonder where Stafford is but with Giles on the team taking the frees we can fit Ollie in who was just an unbelieveable footballer."
Stafford was far from just a free taker

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 12/04/2020 19:38:51    2275833

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Replying To bobjaffacake:  "1.Cormac Sullivan
2.Bob omalley
3.Darran day
4.mark Reilly
5. Graham geraghty
6.joe Cassells
7.martin oconnell
8.liam hayes
9. John McDermott
10. Trevor Giles
11. Colm o Rourke
12. TOMMY Dowd
13. Ollie Murphy
14. Brian Stafford
15 Bernard Flynn"
Excellent team. I will submit a team but it will be pretty close to this one. I dont think Cassells would make many peoples team. I dont remember him to be honest. So I haven't really seen him live. He was just finishing when I started watching Meath. But looking at his list of trophy's its unreal, not many could match it .

Honours

Navan O'Mahony's
Meath Senior Football Championship (8): 1973, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990
Meath Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1985, 1986

Meath
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (2): 1987, 1988 (c)
Leinster Senior Football Championship (4): 1986 (c), 1987, 1988 (c), 1990
National Football League (2): 1974-75, 1987-88 (c)
Centenary Cup (1): 1984 (c)
Leinster Minor Football Championship (1): 1972
Leinster
Railway Cup (2): 1985, 1986

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1265 - 12/04/2020 20:47:47    2275839

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Replying To tommy58:  "Please forgive an outsider from butting in.
My first recollection of Meath football dates from 1966/67. Two names from that era jump out; Jack Quinn and 'Red' Collier. I would have to include both. This would mean Mick Lyons at No. 4, Darren Fay at No. 6 and Graham Geraghty at No.12.
Sullivan, O'Malley, Quinn, Lyons, Collier, Fay, O,Connell, McDermott, McEntee, Giles, Rennicks, Geraghty, O'Rourke, Stafford, Flynn. Subs McQuillan, Cassells, Reynolds Snr., Dowd, Ollie Murphy, Kerrigan."
More than welcome to join in. Always nice to see a outside perspective

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 12/04/2020 21:42:07    2275848

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Replying To Htaem:  "I started going to Meath games in 1996 (not a bad year to start!), so that excludes largely the great team of the 80s for me but anyway here goes

1. Brendan Murphy
2. Mark O'Reilly
3. Darren Fay
4. Martin O'Connell
5. Donal Keogan
6. Enda McManus
7. Anthony Moyles
8. Conor Gillespie (Crawford unlucky but I thought Gillespie was excellent before injury robbed him of career)
9. John McDermott
10. Tommy Dowd
11. Trevor Giles
12. Cian Ward
13. Stephen Bray
14. Graham Geraghty
15. Ollie Murphy

Lots of players unlucky to lose out, such as Evan Kelly, Joe Sheridan, Graham Reilly, Donnacha Tobin, Shane O'Rourke, Cormac Sullivan, Eoin Harrington and a few others but I'm happy enough with that selection.

Even taking away the team of the 80s, we've had some fcukin savage forwards!"
Good team and subs.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 12/04/2020 21:44:20    2275850

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Good team and subs."
Thanks royaldunne, hope all is well with you and yours in this bloody pandemic.

We've had some superstar players over the years, unforgettable memories and hopefully we'll come good again in future.

Just for what it's worth, I think Graham Geragthy is the best Meath player I've ever seen and that includes the 80s team. How about you?

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 13/04/2020 16:45:59    2275904

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Replying To bobkarlgees:  "Excellent team. I will submit a team but it will be pretty close to this one. I dont think Cassells would make many peoples team. I dont remember him to be honest. So I haven't really seen him live. He was just finishing when I started watching Meath. But looking at his list of trophy's its unreal, not many could match it .

Honours

Navan O'Mahony's
Meath Senior Football Championship (8): 1973, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990
Meath Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1985, 1986

Meath
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (2): 1987, 1988 (c)
Leinster Senior Football Championship (4): 1986 (c), 1987, 1988 (c), 1990
National Football League (2): 1974-75, 1987-88 (c)
Centenary Cup (1): 1984 (c)
Leinster Minor Football Championship (1): 1972
Leinster
Railway Cup (2): 1985, 1986"
When people talk about the the top Meath players Joe suffers as, people judge him when by their memories of the great Meath team which won 2 All Ireland's and reached 4 finals in 5 seasons and won 5 Leinster's in 6 seasons (1986-1991). Joe was, for most of this time past his best in this period. In 88, if my memory serves me right, he had lost his place in the starting 15 for all matches until he got back in for the replayed final. I can't really remember him playing much with Meath after this. From looking at your list he was off the panel after 1990. From hearing people talking Joe was a very good player before this (A time I was fairly young so don't really remember).

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1400 - 13/04/2020 18:32:58    2275910

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1.Brendan Murphy
2.Keoghan
3.Fay
4.Martin OConnell
5.Coyle
6.Enda McManus
7.Kevin Reilly
8.Crawford
9.McDermott
10.Kenny
11.Giles
12.Biggy
13.Bray
14.Geraghty
15.Murphy

grahamc9897 (Meath) - Posts: 1175 - 14/04/2020 20:24:01    2275985

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Replying To grahamc9897:  "1.Brendan Murphy
2.Keoghan
3.Fay
4.Martin OConnell
5.Coyle
6.Enda McManus
7.Kevin Reilly
8.Crawford
9.McDermott
10.Kenny
11.Giles
12.Biggy
13.Bray
14.Geraghty
15.Murphy"
Good lord.

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 14/04/2020 23:56:00    2276003

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Ok this isn't hard for me
1- Mickey McQuillian
2- Bob O'Malley
3- Mick Lyons
4- Colm Coyle
5- Graham Geraghty
6- Liam Harnan
7- Martin O'Connell
8- John McDermott
9- Gerry McEntee
10- Trevor Giles
11- Colm O'Rourke
12- Tommy Dowd
13- Ollie Murphy (can't believe so many left him out)
14- Brian Stafford
15- Bernard Flynn

EmOliver (Meath) - Posts: 1 - 15/04/2020 14:45:46    2276034

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Replying To southmeathgael:  "Good lord."
Haha

grahamc9897 (Meath) - Posts: 1175 - 15/04/2020 17:07:11    2276039

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Replying To Htaem:  "Thanks royaldunne, hope all is well with you and yours in this bloody pandemic.

We've had some superstar players over the years, unforgettable memories and hopefully we'll come good again in future.

Just for what it's worth, I think Graham Geragthy is the best Meath player I've ever seen and that includes the 80s team. How about you?"
Yeah I'd have to go with that, as a young child I idolised Jack Quinn, but I would have to say that gg was the best I have ever seen. Followed by O'Connell and O'Rourke (Colm). They'd be my top 3.
As for this pandemic it's a bloody nightmare, herself and the kids haven't left the house in over a month , I go to get the essentials looking like something out of a space movie, when I get home clothes go into wash , I go into shower. It's crazy, but with our young fella and his health issues we have to make sure he doesn't get it. So this place is a bit of a release

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 16/04/2020 09:46:44    2276086

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