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So with the news intercounty training resumes on the 19th April (if it ever truly stopped) what are peoples thoughts for the team for 2021.
National League in May - 3 games possibly a 4th and 5th with semi finals and finals (i think thats the plan)
Championship - 3 games if a straight knock out at most.
Do we think there will be much turnover in the squad for 2021. With so few games potentially and Andy's job being on the line (in my eyes, which would be unfair in a truncated season) I can't see much room for experimentation.
Goalkeeper
Obviously Andy is looking for a new goalkeeper, but with Jimmy Corcoran back playing soccer that's him out of the running you'd imagine. Will Andy go with the tried and trusted of Andy Colgan or will he give another person a try. Much an all as I've lambasted Andy in the past about this position with no pre season he can't really mess about and I'd imagine Colgan is the no 1 all season.
Defenders
Could do with a few more defenders to add into the mix. With Padraic Harnan, Shane Gallagher, James McEntee and Niall Kane all hopefully being fit and available does that give us a bit more strength and experience? Will Eoin Harkin and Cathal Hickey deserve and get more game time. Is there anyone new who could be introduced into the fold and improve the starting 15?
Midfielders
Do we have anyone to replace or supplement Menton and Jones. Shane McEntee is an option but we still need more. a fourth and fifth midfielder would be nice. Will Padraic Harnan fit in here or defence?
Forwards
Still think we are unbalanced in our forward play and them as a unit. We don't seem to know what to do with Walsh and Thomas Reilly whilst good against poor teams is easily marked out against the best of teams. Do we have a player who could take on that trevor giles role at 11 and stitch things together between defence and the inside forwards. Will Jordan Morris become a marked man now that people are aware of him?
Free taking
Have we they any way worked on this with 3/4 lads on the team. Jordan Morris for example isn't a million miles from Brian Stafford (location wise) and could Staff in anyway help him with his technique, preparation etc. Or for any other members of the panel.
Captain
With the ban on joint captains who will be leading the team into 2021. Is there a new leader who can take on the mantle from Brian and Donal?
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 31/03/2021 12:07:51
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Replying To brian: "So with the news intercounty training resumes on the 19th April (if it ever truly stopped) what are peoples thoughts for the team for 2021.
National League in May - 3 games possibly a 4th and 5th with semi finals and finals (i think thats the plan)
Championship - 3 games if a straight knock out at most.
Do we think there will be much turnover in the squad for 2021. With so few games potentially and Andy's job being on the line (in my eyes, which would be unfair in a truncated season) I can't see much room for experimentation.
Goalkeeper
Obviously Andy is looking for a new goalkeeper, but with Jimmy Corcoran back playing soccer that's him out of the running you'd imagine. Will Andy go with the tried and trusted of Andy Colgan or will he give another person a try. Much an all as I've lambasted Andy in the past about this position with no pre season he can't really mess about and I'd imagine Colgan is the no 1 all season.
Defenders
Could do with a few more defenders to add into the mix. With Padraic Harnan, Shane Gallagher, James McEntee and Niall Kane all hopefully being fit and available does that give us a bit more strength and experience? Will Eoin Harkin and Cathal Hickey deserve and get more game time. Is there anyone new who could be introduced into the fold and improve the starting 15?
Midfielders
Do we have anyone to replace or supplement Menton and Jones. Shane McEntee is an option but we still need more. a fourth and fifth midfielder would be nice. Will Padraic Harnan fit in here or defence?
Forwards
Still think we are unbalanced in our forward play and them as a unit. We don't seem to know what to do with Walsh and Thomas Reilly whilst good against poor teams is easily marked out against the best of teams. Do we have a player who could take on that trevor giles role at 11 and stitch things together between defence and the inside forwards. Will Jordan Morris become a marked man now that people are aware of him?
Free taking
Have we they any way worked on this with 3/4 lads on the team. Jordan Morris for example isn't a million miles from Brian Stafford (location wise) and could Staff in anyway help him with his technique, preparation etc. Or for any other members of the panel.
Captain
With the ban on joint captains who will be leading the team into 2021. Is there a new leader who can take on the mantle from Brian and Donal?" GAA to release fixture list for both competitions late next week, hopefully we get a fair share of home draws, as you say very hard to experiment within the time frame. Unless goalkeeper and kickout strategy has been resolved then we are fighting a losing battle before a ball is thrown in. How can they devise any type of gameplan when we are constantly under presure. All other teams are well aware of our failings in this area and will target our kickouts. Needs to be a option to go long with at least a 50/50 chance of retention. Current midfield rarely gains primary possession, so it might be worth looking at Mathew Costello or Harnan as options. Would like to see both Hickey and Harkin start in League, Hickey a decent replacement for Keoghan who may be needed further back going on how full back line played against Kildare/Dublin. Has Newman retired? Forwards need a steadying influence, Reilly and especially Walsh are too easily marked and want way too much time, both are talented and with the right coaching could have bright futures. O Sullivan Morris, Donal Lenihan, James Mac,Conlon. Scully, Devine and Campion are all decent forwards, however we seem to struggle to get balance right, thats another job for coach/managment.
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 31/03/2021 19:21:31
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Replying To seadog54: " Replying To brian: "So with the news intercounty training resumes on the 19th April (if it ever truly stopped) what are peoples thoughts for the team for 2021.
National League in May - 3 games possibly a 4th and 5th with semi finals and finals (i think thats the plan)
Championship - 3 games if a straight knock out at most.
Do we think there will be much turnover in the squad for 2021. With so few games potentially and Andy's job being on the line (in my eyes, which would be unfair in a truncated season) I can't see much room for experimentation.
Goalkeeper
Obviously Andy is looking for a new goalkeeper, but with Jimmy Corcoran back playing soccer that's him out of the running you'd imagine. Will Andy go with the tried and trusted of Andy Colgan or will he give another person a try. Much an all as I've lambasted Andy in the past about this position with no pre season he can't really mess about and I'd imagine Colgan is the no 1 all season.
Defenders
Could do with a few more defenders to add into the mix. With Padraic Harnan, Shane Gallagher, James McEntee and Niall Kane all hopefully being fit and available does that give us a bit more strength and experience? Will Eoin Harkin and Cathal Hickey deserve and get more game time. Is there anyone new who could be introduced into the fold and improve the starting 15?
Midfielders
Do we have anyone to replace or supplement Menton and Jones. Shane McEntee is an option but we still need more. a fourth and fifth midfielder would be nice. Will Padraic Harnan fit in here or defence?
Forwards
Still think we are unbalanced in our forward play and them as a unit. We don't seem to know what to do with Walsh and Thomas Reilly whilst good against poor teams is easily marked out against the best of teams. Do we have a player who could take on that trevor giles role at 11 and stitch things together between defence and the inside forwards. Will Jordan Morris become a marked man now that people are aware of him?
Free taking
Have we they any way worked on this with 3/4 lads on the team. Jordan Morris for example isn't a million miles from Brian Stafford (location wise) and could Staff in anyway help him with his technique, preparation etc. Or for any other members of the panel.
Captain
With the ban on joint captains who will be leading the team into 2021. Is there a new leader who can take on the mantle from Brian and Donal?" GAA to release fixture list for both competitions late next week, hopefully we get a fair share of home draws, as you say very hard to experiment within the time frame. Unless goalkeeper and kickout strategy has been resolved then we are fighting a losing battle before a ball is thrown in. How can they devise any type of gameplan when we are constantly under presure. All other teams are well aware of our failings in this area and will target our kickouts. Needs to be a option to go long with at least a 50/50 chance of retention. Current midfield rarely gains primary possession, so it might be worth looking at Mathew Costello or Harnan as options. Would like to see both Hickey and Harkin start in League, Hickey a decent replacement for Keoghan who may be needed further back going on how full back line played against Kildare/Dublin. Has Newman retired? Forwards need a steadying influence, Reilly and especially Walsh are too easily marked and want way too much time, both are talented and with the right coaching could have bright futures. O Sullivan Morris, Donal Lenihan, James Mac,Conlon. Scully, Devine and Campion are all decent forwards, however we seem to struggle to get balance right, thats another job for coach/managment."
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1523 - 31/03/2021 23:48:55
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Watched a few games online last year, a fit joey Wallace will add to the inside forward line where we are really struggling.
Our keeper has been a problem for years now and I don't think either MB or AC look comfortable or confident when between the posts however our game plan for kick outs would not do any keepers confidence any good.
Cant see much improvement this year but the lads always give their best as that is a credit to them.
Getting back into division one will be the target but that wont be easy and we could well find ourselves in a relegation battle.
Mayo, Kildare, Cavan ahead of us and Westmeath have improved leaving us with Laois, Clare and Fermanagh as games you would expect to win but the league always throws up a few surprises and to be honest finishing fourth is the best I can see.
thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1073 - 02/04/2021 17:37:24
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Replying To thelutch: "Watched a few games online last year, a fit joey Wallace will add to the inside forward line where we are really struggling.
Our keeper has been a problem for years now and I don't think either MB or AC look comfortable or confident when between the posts however our game plan for kick outs would not do any keepers confidence any good.
Cant see much improvement this year but the lads always give their best as that is a credit to them.
Getting back into division one will be the target but that wont be easy and we could well find ourselves in a relegation battle.
Mayo, Kildare, Cavan ahead of us and Westmeath have improved leaving us with Laois, Clare and Fermanagh as games you would expect to win but the league always throws up a few surprises and to be honest finishing fourth is the best I can see." If GAA stick with the new split of counties into north and south.Then we will play Mayo, Down and Westmeath. Cork, Clare, Laois and Kildare make up the south group. The top 2 in each group will contest the league semi final with the bottom 2 in relegation play offs. Will have to wait till end of next week for confirmation when fixtures are due for release.
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 02/04/2021 21:59:19
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Replying To thelutch: "Watched a few games online last year, a fit joey Wallace will add to the inside forward line where we are really struggling.
Our keeper has been a problem for years now and I don't think either MB or AC look comfortable or confident when between the posts however our game plan for kick outs would not do any keepers confidence any good.
Cant see much improvement this year but the lads always give their best as that is a credit to them.
Getting back into division one will be the target but that wont be easy and we could well find ourselves in a relegation battle.
Mayo, Kildare, Cavan ahead of us and Westmeath have improved leaving us with Laois, Clare and Fermanagh as games you would expect to win but the league always throws up a few surprises and to be honest finishing fourth is the best I can see." Cavan aren't in division 2. And I don't know how you'd have Kildare definitely ahead of us considering we beat them last year and the year before we did considerably better than them also. Fermanagh also aren't in division 2 after relegation last year. If the format is as we'd expect then we need to beat Down and Westmeath where I'd be pretty confident and then it's a one-off final for promotion against Kildare or Cork. We have shown we can beat both these teams in recent years however it probably would be a very close game against either of them
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1523 - 04/04/2021 20:09:52
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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "Cavan aren't in division 2. And I don't know how you'd have Kildare definitely ahead of us considering we beat them last year and the year before we did considerably better than them also. Fermanagh also aren't in division 2 after relegation last year. If the format is as we'd expect then we need to beat Down and Westmeath where I'd be pretty confident and then it's a one-off final for promotion against Kildare or Cork. We have shown we can beat both these teams in recent years however it probably would be a very close game against either of them" Apologies
Was totally misreading the leagues, wasn't aware of new format so that will benefit us.
I would love to have your enthusiasm however I cant see any progress this year from this group of players.
We can only go to war with what we have and I will always support them through thick and thin but we have to be realistic , we are not in the top ten teams in the country and if we are going to move to a two or three tier all Ireland championship this team would struggle to win the second tier.
Dublin
Kerry
Mayo
Galway
Tyrone
Donegal
Cork
Cavan
Monaghan
In my opinion the above teams are better than us
Armagh
Roscommon
Tipp
Kildare
Westmeath
Down
Laois
Above are teams on par with us and you could make a case for others.
Still a few years away from breaking into top ten but Andy Mac has steadied the ship and made us a solid division 2 team which is as far as he can go too, cant see him hanging around after this year
thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1073 - 05/04/2021 10:44:28
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Replying To thelutch: "Apologies
Was totally misreading the leagues, wasn't aware of new format so that will benefit us.
I would love to have your enthusiasm however I cant see any progress this year from this group of players.
We can only go to war with what we have and I will always support them through thick and thin but we have to be realistic , we are not in the top ten teams in the country and if we are going to move to a two or three tier all Ireland championship this team would struggle to win the second tier.
Dublin
Kerry
Mayo
Galway
Tyrone
Donegal
Cork
Cavan
Monaghan
In my opinion the above teams are better than us
Armagh
Roscommon
Tipp
Kildare
Westmeath
Down
Laois
Above are teams on par with us and you could make a case for others.
Still a few years away from breaking into top ten but Andy Mac has steadied the ship and made us a solid division 2 team which is as far as he can go too, cant see him hanging around after this year" I agree with a decent amount of what you said. I too think we are solidly behind Donegal, Tyrone, Galway, Mayo, Dublin and Kerry. Monaghan are fading maybe slightly ahead of us but only just. They've been terrible in the last 2 championships. Cork had 1 fluke result against Kerry in a storm. But then backed it up by losing to Tipp. They are talented but flakey. I'd have them on a par with us. Armagh, Cavan, Roscommon probably ahead of us albeit Armagh is very close and the other two we could absolutely beat if we play well. I don't see how you can have Kildare, Westmeath, Down and Laois as on par with us to be honest. Kildare would be the closest but they've been terrible in 2019 and 20. A good way behind us. As for Westmeath, Down and Laois I would see them as firmly behind us. I know we are a million miles off Dublin and we got absolutely hammered by them the last two years. But if you judge results for this current management team (Nally came in in 2019) against how we play other teams it's clear that we lose to solid division 1 teams while running them close for most of the game and we take care of division 2 and lower teams. So that's what I expect to happen, run Mayo close (they often don't have full teams for the league although maybe their age profile has changed so it might not be the case), take care of Westmeath and Down. Then we have a final against probably Kildare or Cork. If it's Kildare I'd expect us to beat them. If it's Cork then it's a wildcard, they could be a brilliant team or fall flat on their face. But baring a catastrophic injury/Covid disaster I do see us playing in a one off chance to get promoted again
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1523 - 05/04/2021 12:03:16
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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "I agree with a decent amount of what you said. I too think we are solidly behind Donegal, Tyrone, Galway, Mayo, Dublin and Kerry. Monaghan are fading maybe slightly ahead of us but only just. They've been terrible in the last 2 championships. Cork had 1 fluke result against Kerry in a storm. But then backed it up by losing to Tipp. They are talented but flakey. I'd have them on a par with us. Armagh, Cavan, Roscommon probably ahead of us albeit Armagh is very close and the other two we could absolutely beat if we play well. I don't see how you can have Kildare, Westmeath, Down and Laois as on par with us to be honest. Kildare would be the closest but they've been terrible in 2019 and 20. A good way behind us. As for Westmeath, Down and Laois I would see them as firmly behind us. I know we are a million miles off Dublin and we got absolutely hammered by them the last two years. But if you judge results for this current management team (Nally came in in 2019) against how we play other teams it's clear that we lose to solid division 1 teams while running them close for most of the game and we take care of division 2 and lower teams. So that's what I expect to happen, run Mayo close (they often don't have full teams for the league although maybe their age profile has changed so it might not be the case), take care of Westmeath and Down. Then we have a final against probably Kildare or Cork. If it's Kildare I'd expect us to beat them. If it's Cork then it's a wildcard, they could be a brilliant team or fall flat on their face. But baring a catastrophic injury/Covid disaster I do see us playing in a one off chance to get promoted again" "Then we have a final against probably Kildare or Cork." I presume you mean semi-final. Even still there are a fair few assumptions, like beating Down and Westmeath and Cork or Kildare. A lot will depend on where the Down game is.
MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1080 - 05/04/2021 12:25:22
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Replying To thelutch: "Apologies
Was totally misreading the leagues, wasn't aware of new format so that will benefit us.
I would love to have your enthusiasm however I cant see any progress this year from this group of players.
We can only go to war with what we have and I will always support them through thick and thin but we have to be realistic , we are not in the top ten teams in the country and if we are going to move to a two or three tier all Ireland championship this team would struggle to win the second tier.
Dublin
Kerry
Mayo
Galway
Tyrone
Donegal
Cork
Cavan
Monaghan
In my opinion the above teams are better than us
Armagh
Roscommon
Tipp
Kildare
Westmeath
Down
Laois
Above are teams on par with us and you could make a case for others.
Still a few years away from breaking into top ten but Andy Mac has steadied the ship and made us a solid division 2 team which is as far as he can go too, cant see him hanging around after this year" Hey Lutch understandable re the new format people got caught out by that.
I'd have to disagree with you on way you've graded the current Meath team and the tiers you'd have.
2020 was a poor year in terms pf what we did but lets not forget we were without several key players for parts or all of the year. Padraic Harnan and Shane Gallagher (who I've been critical off previously) missed the whole season. Andy Colgan never got a chance again during the whole year after doing and ACL. James Mcentee missed the Championship and Michael Newman retired. Graham Reilly played little to no part at all. That was 6 starters missing from a team that got us promoted and to a Leinster Final and super 8's in 2019.
In there place we had Brennan (who was a disaster), David Toner (first year as a starter), Matthew Costello (19, first year on the panel), Ronan Jones (first year back after 2 years out of football) Shane Walsh and Jordan Morris (19/20 year olds in their first full year as panelists). You can make up for the lack of experience we lost with the first group of players, all of whom were key players in the first 15.
I'd also add that Seamus Lavin and Conor McGill two of our best players in 2019 were both dealing with injuries all year and weren't close to 100% fit at any stage.
I think we have a deflated sense of the Meath team based on the Dublin match. We are easily the second best team in Leinster. We've beaten everyone we've had to in 2019 and 2020. Yes Kildare were pathetic in the second half but the team still went out and tore them assunder and put a stake through them when it mattered. Laois and Westmeath are nothing to write home about.
I'd would say this Meath team are somewhere between the 6th and 12th best team in the country. Dublin, Tyrone, Donegal, Kerry and Mayo are ahead of them. They're in a group of teams with Galway, Monaghan, Armagh, Roscommon that could all beat each other. Galway are nothing special, Monaghan are fading and Armagh and Roscommon are yoyo teams that go up and down the divisions. Until they are more consistent we can't claim they are better than Meath.
Cork, Tipp and Cavan are all mythized due to one performance last year by each of them. I think this current team would beat all three teams with 3-4 points to spare.
Meath over the last two years have beaten the teams they should beat and are closing the gap to the teams ahead of them. To bridge that gap and I agree with your assessment Andy is unlikely to stay after 21 we need to build on the work Andy has done. The bones of a good team are there and they need a manager and collectiveness to drive themselves forward.
Andy has his blind spots which the whole country knows and he doesn't see or refuses to address. A new manager coming into this team will have identified
1) goalkeeper - a dependable keeper who commands his area, is a good shot stopper (TBF Colgan isn't bad here) and organises his defence. You rarely see Colgan and definitely not brennan giving the lads in front of them guidance on what they as a keeper are seeing. Its there responsibility to organise that.
2) Kick Out startegy - or lack there off. For all Nally's talk of how to use a kick out srategy and where we should or shouldn't kick a ball, we seem inept at gaining parity or above in kickouts which all of the top teams do. We easily cough up 4 scores a game or more with it and until that is sorted out we're starting the game at a disadvantage.
3) Free kicks - we don't have a proper natural free taker or even someone involved who is looking after this. Brian Stafford (the greatest free taker i saw) wasn't a natural free taker but Sean got Brian chatting to the great Ollie Campbell, and Staff developed his style and composure over the years to the extent where it was almost automatic from within the 45 that he'd score. In 2020 we'd no designated free taker and in games we'd several players taking free's and 45's. Was it the Wicklow game where we'd 6 or 7 45's and about 5 players had a go?? I remember Costello taking two and one of them he looked like he had no technique other than to kick it as hard as he could. I think Morris, Menton and Thomas O'reilly also had a go and none were close. This failure invites teams to foul us as we're giving up another 4/5 scores from dropping balls short or wide. Every top team is over 90% conversion rate from free's and we're barley 60%, that number has to improve.
Know that's a long post so hopefully raise a few more points for people to chat about but i don't think it's the doom and gloom many are saying it is and one bad game is stuck in peoples minds. Lets not forget Cavan lost by 15 in an all ireland semi final, Tipp lost by 13 points and no one is telling you they are bad teams.
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 05/04/2021 13:02:50
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Replying To MillerX: ""Then we have a final against probably Kildare or Cork." I presume you mean semi-final. Even still there are a fair few assumptions, like beating Down and Westmeath and Cork or Kildare. A lot will depend on where the Down game is." Yeah sorry it's a semi final. But it's a final in terms of promotion. and yes there's assumptions but I do think we are considerably a better team than Westmeath and also a better team than Down. The Kildare/Cork game I agree is 50/50 if it's Cork and we are slight favs against Kildare
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1523 - 05/04/2021 13:48:13
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Replying To brian: "Hey Lutch understandable re the new format people got caught out by that.
I'd have to disagree with you on way you've graded the current Meath team and the tiers you'd have.
2020 was a poor year in terms pf what we did but lets not forget we were without several key players for parts or all of the year. Padraic Harnan and Shane Gallagher (who I've been critical off previously) missed the whole season. Andy Colgan never got a chance again during the whole year after doing and ACL. James Mcentee missed the Championship and Michael Newman retired. Graham Reilly played little to no part at all. That was 6 starters missing from a team that got us promoted and to a Leinster Final and super 8's in 2019.
In there place we had Brennan (who was a disaster), David Toner (first year as a starter), Matthew Costello (19, first year on the panel), Ronan Jones (first year back after 2 years out of football) Shane Walsh and Jordan Morris (19/20 year olds in their first full year as panelists). You can make up for the lack of experience we lost with the first group of players, all of whom were key players in the first 15.
I'd also add that Seamus Lavin and Conor McGill two of our best players in 2019 were both dealing with injuries all year and weren't close to 100% fit at any stage.
I think we have a deflated sense of the Meath team based on the Dublin match. We are easily the second best team in Leinster. We've beaten everyone we've had to in 2019 and 2020. Yes Kildare were pathetic in the second half but the team still went out and tore them assunder and put a stake through them when it mattered. Laois and Westmeath are nothing to write home about.
I'd would say this Meath team are somewhere between the 6th and 12th best team in the country. Dublin, Tyrone, Donegal, Kerry and Mayo are ahead of them. They're in a group of teams with Galway, Monaghan, Armagh, Roscommon that could all beat each other. Galway are nothing special, Monaghan are fading and Armagh and Roscommon are yoyo teams that go up and down the divisions. Until they are more consistent we can't claim they are better than Meath.
Cork, Tipp and Cavan are all mythized due to one performance last year by each of them. I think this current team would beat all three teams with 3-4 points to spare.
Meath over the last two years have beaten the teams they should beat and are closing the gap to the teams ahead of them. To bridge that gap and I agree with your assessment Andy is unlikely to stay after 21 we need to build on the work Andy has done. The bones of a good team are there and they need a manager and collectiveness to drive themselves forward.
Andy has his blind spots which the whole country knows and he doesn't see or refuses to address. A new manager coming into this team will have identified
1) goalkeeper - a dependable keeper who commands his area, is a good shot stopper (TBF Colgan isn't bad here) and organises his defence. You rarely see Colgan and definitely not brennan giving the lads in front of them guidance on what they as a keeper are seeing. Its there responsibility to organise that.
2) Kick Out startegy - or lack there off. For all Nally's talk of how to use a kick out srategy and where we should or shouldn't kick a ball, we seem inept at gaining parity or above in kickouts which all of the top teams do. We easily cough up 4 scores a game or more with it and until that is sorted out we're starting the game at a disadvantage.
3) Free kicks - we don't have a proper natural free taker or even someone involved who is looking after this. Brian Stafford (the greatest free taker i saw) wasn't a natural free taker but Sean got Brian chatting to the great Ollie Campbell, and Staff developed his style and composure over the years to the extent where it was almost automatic from within the 45 that he'd score. In 2020 we'd no designated free taker and in games we'd several players taking free's and 45's. Was it the Wicklow game where we'd 6 or 7 45's and about 5 players had a go?? I remember Costello taking two and one of them he looked like he had no technique other than to kick it as hard as he could. I think Morris, Menton and Thomas O'reilly also had a go and none were close. This failure invites teams to foul us as we're giving up another 4/5 scores from dropping balls short or wide. Every top team is over 90% conversion rate from free's and we're barley 60%, that number has to improve.
Know that's a long post so hopefully raise a few more points for people to chat about but i don't think it's the doom and gloom many are saying it is and one bad game is stuck in peoples minds. Lets not forget Cavan lost by 15 in an all ireland semi final, Tipp lost by 13 points and no one is telling you they are bad teams." There are six teams at the top at present and a group of ten or so who are capable of beating each other on any given day, Meath are somewhere in this mix of ten. Unfortunatly since promotion from Div Two there is little evidence to suggest we are catching up with the top group, some encourageing preformances in league one, ran Dublin close in Parnell Park, however the vast chasm between league and championship was laid bare when we met them in championship. If the two lads were not fully fit, then playing them against Dublin was another in a list of errors made under current managment. The signs were obvious against Kildare something was not right, poor message to other members of panel, even injured they are better than you.
I know we differ on analysis of Kildare game, but I feel there is little between us, always think its no better than its 50/50, Westmeath/Laois and one or two more in Leinster would fancy their chances against us in championship.
As you said a new manager coming in will have identified the flaws that exist with goalkeeper/kickouts and free taking, our problem now is that every other team manager have also identified these major flaws and unless they are recified we are at a big disadvantage in every game. Its beyond a joke that we are still talking about this, these problems were evident when we were winning games in Div Two but still not resolved.
Your right when you say its not all doom and gloom, we have talent all over the field and the makings of a good team, that makes it all the more dissapointing we are so inconsistant. True Cavan were well beaten by Dublin, but gave it their all and were just beaten by a better team.
However with the new season comes new hope, if and its a big if we can improve on above failings then we are capable of getting a good run in the league. Looking forward to a good league and this should build confidence for championship, last two years we have been plagued by injuries to key men, hopefully we get a run of luck on this front.
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 05/04/2021 21:35:44
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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "Yeah sorry it's a semi final. But it's a final in terms of promotion. and yes there's assumptions but I do think we are considerably a better team than Westmeath and also a better team than Down. The Kildare/Cork game I agree is 50/50 if it's Cork and we are slight favs against Kildare" Down led Cavan for most of their last Championship clash, eventually losing narrowly. Now the crucial question is is this game home or away? If it's Newry or God forbid Newcastle then the odds flip towards Down, that is given our record "on the road" over the recent years. However the absence of supporters might level matters out a bit.
MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1080 - 06/04/2021 09:13:04
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Replying To seadog54: "There are six teams at the top at present and a group of ten or so who are capable of beating each other on any given day, Meath are somewhere in this mix of ten. Unfortunatly since promotion from Div Two there is little evidence to suggest we are catching up with the top group, some encourageing preformances in league one, ran Dublin close in Parnell Park, however the vast chasm between league and championship was laid bare when we met them in championship. If the two lads were not fully fit, then playing them against Dublin was another in a list of errors made under current managment. The signs were obvious against Kildare something was not right, poor message to other members of panel, even injured they are better than you.
I know we differ on analysis of Kildare game, but I feel there is little between us, always think its no better than its 50/50, Westmeath/Laois and one or two more in Leinster would fancy their chances against us in championship.
As you said a new manager coming in will have identified the flaws that exist with goalkeeper/kickouts and free taking, our problem now is that every other team manager have also identified these major flaws and unless they are recified we are at a big disadvantage in every game. Its beyond a joke that we are still talking about this, these problems were evident when we were winning games in Div Two but still not resolved.
Your right when you say its not all doom and gloom, we have talent all over the field and the makings of a good team, that makes it all the more dissapointing we are so inconsistant. True Cavan were well beaten by Dublin, but gave it their all and were just beaten by a better team.
However with the new season comes new hope, if and its a big if we can improve on above failings then we are capable of getting a good run in the league. Looking forward to a good league and this should build confidence for championship, last two years we have been plagued by injuries to key men, hopefully we get a run of luck on this front." I don't rate this Kildare team at all, the funny thing is they constantly go for the big name manager but I don't believe that any manager since micko has got the best out of them. I actually think Kildare team are better than what they have achieved or will achieve.
Westmeath apart from mayo I think ran Dublin closest, but that was by purely playing completely defensive and was damage limitations which was bizarre as it was knock out. Jack is supposed to have confided that a lower point loss was his plan as it wouldn't deflate team for this year. And they were never going to win. So what was the point in going man to man and get beat by 20/30 points.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/04/2021 14:15:00
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It looks like a straight knockout championship again which is an absolute disaster from our perspective so it's pretty much all about the league. A lot of pressure to hit the ground running. One bad performance against Westmeath or Down and our whole year is a complete failure. I do think we'll be good enough to finish top 2 in the group though
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1523 - 08/04/2021 16:27:17
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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "It looks like a straight knockout championship again which is an absolute disaster from our perspective so it's pretty much all about the league. A lot of pressure to hit the ground running. One bad performance against Westmeath or Down and our whole year is a complete failure. I do think we'll be good enough to finish top 2 in the group though" You're not wrong. Think those are two must win games and knowing our luck we'll have both fixtures away from home and Mayo in navan!!!!! But being honest its time we put up or shut up. Every team will be in the same boat so lets just get out there, play our football to the standards we can and that should be enough to win the two games. I don't consider either team to be better than us so lets go out and show that.
Championship realistically is a non starter with the dubs, so unfortunately our aim is to beat who we can. Unfortunately we're also due to draw the dubs in a semi final soon so it's likely we'll have 1-3 championship games at a max.
Five (as i think there's relegation playoffs) to eight games is pretty much our season and we can't afford any slips in that time frame. Andy and the team needs to attack the league with everything they have. Full teams all the way against Westmeath and Down, maybe try some players v Mayo as its a no win game. and then full team in a semi final if you get there. Who those 15 players are going to be is anyone's guess as its hard to try anything new with so little time to mess about.
I'd imagine you're looking at
Colgan
Lavin McGill Gallagher
Keoghan Harnan Costello
Menton Jones
O'Sullivan McMahon J McEntee
Morris Walsh O'Reilly
Backed up by
Ryan * 2, Scully, Joey, Hickey, Harkin, Shane Mc, Devine, Conlon * 2, Lenihan (maybe) Toner (maybe)
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 08/04/2021 17:27:46
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Ok so we have got Donegal, Westmeath and mayo. Need to win two to face a semifinal with probably cork or Kildare for promotion. With the way the championship is this year, the league is all that matters. Don't care what happens in championship tbh as Dublin will win Leinster and all ire, mayo Kerry Donegal and Tyrone can kid themselves all the want, Dublin will win 7 in a row.
So really we have to gain promotion, nothing else matters. So we must beat both Westmeath and Down. I honestly think it's about where these games are played as much as anything, the tricky one is Down, I believe we should have enough to beat Westmeath if it be in navan or Mullingar, I'd prefer the latter and Down to be in navan, then we have a one off promotion game with probably cork. Again I think we can win this. And then a final v mayo that probably won't be played that been said we will already have achieved our goal. Promotion
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 08/04/2021 19:08:51
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Replying To brian: "You're not wrong. Think those are two must win games and knowing our luck we'll have both fixtures away from home and Mayo in navan!!!!! But being honest its time we put up or shut up. Every team will be in the same boat so lets just get out there, play our football to the standards we can and that should be enough to win the two games. I don't consider either team to be better than us so lets go out and show that.
Championship realistically is a non starter with the dubs, so unfortunately our aim is to beat who we can. Unfortunately we're also due to draw the dubs in a semi final soon so it's likely we'll have 1-3 championship games at a max.
Five (as i think there's relegation playoffs) to eight games is pretty much our season and we can't afford any slips in that time frame. Andy and the team needs to attack the league with everything they have. Full teams all the way against Westmeath and Down, maybe try some players v Mayo as its a no win game. and then full team in a semi final if you get there. Who those 15 players are going to be is anyone's guess as its hard to try anything new with so little time to mess about.
I'd imagine you're looking at
Colgan
Lavin McGill Gallagher
Keoghan Harnan Costello
Menton Jones
O'Sullivan McMahon J McEntee
Morris Walsh O'Reilly
Backed up by
Ryan * 2, Scully, Joey, Hickey, Harkin, Shane Mc, Devine, Conlon * 2, Lenihan (maybe) Toner (maybe)" Toner is in Canada this year and Ross Ryan has left the panel.
jackhackett (Meath) - Posts: 773 - 09/04/2021 09:26:14
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Replying To jackhackett: "Toner is in Canada this year and Ross Ryan has left the panel." Cheers Jack, thought i'd heard something about Toner being away. Can't really blame Ross either he';s not been given much of a shout.
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 09/04/2021 09:58:28
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Replying To brian: "You're not wrong. Think those are two must win games and knowing our luck we'll have both fixtures away from home and Mayo in navan!!!!! But being honest its time we put up or shut up. Every team will be in the same boat so lets just get out there, play our football to the standards we can and that should be enough to win the two games. I don't consider either team to be better than us so lets go out and show that.
Championship realistically is a non starter with the dubs, so unfortunately our aim is to beat who we can. Unfortunately we're also due to draw the dubs in a semi final soon so it's likely we'll have 1-3 championship games at a max.
Five (as i think there's relegation playoffs) to eight games is pretty much our season and we can't afford any slips in that time frame. Andy and the team needs to attack the league with everything they have. Full teams all the way against Westmeath and Down, maybe try some players v Mayo as its a no win game. and then full team in a semi final if you get there. Who those 15 players are going to be is anyone's guess as its hard to try anything new with so little time to mess about.
I'd imagine you're looking at
Colgan
Lavin McGill Gallagher
Keoghan Harnan Costello
Menton Jones
O'Sullivan McMahon J McEntee
Morris Walsh O'Reilly
Backed up by
Ryan * 2, Scully, Joey, Hickey, Harkin, Shane Mc, Devine, Conlon * 2, Lenihan (maybe) Toner (maybe)" You might have just forgotten him because it's hard to keep track but I would love to see a bounce-back year from Daragh Campion. He was really good during the 2019 division 2 run which is the best consistent bit of form we've had in the last 10 years. He then fell out of favour in the championship and then had a bad injury. If he's back to full fitness and fully committed to not only could he be involved he could start. He's a creative spark on the half-forward line which could work well with Cillian and maybe James McEntee's hard running direct style
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1523 - 09/04/2021 13:51:48
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