Meath Forum

Meath Senior Football Team 2021

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Replying To seadog54:  "Very worrying times for Meath football, add in events of weekend and more bad news today and we are in a bad place."


By the end of this season we're going to be in a worse off position than Andy inherited. I never thought i'd utter the words but there's more dark days ahead of us.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 21/06/2021 13:43:46    2352371

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Replying To brian:  "

By the end of this season we're going to be in a worse off position than Andy inherited. I never thought i'd utter the words but there's more dark days ahead of us."
Maybe the actions over the weekend will turn out to be a good thing over the long run?

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1807 - 21/06/2021 14:11:08    2352390

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Replying To bert09:  "Maybe the actions over the weekend will turn out to be a good thing over the long run?"
Thats what came to mind at first, however looking at make up of FDC (first I heard of its existance was today) would have serious doubts.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 21/06/2021 15:14:31    2352405

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Replying To bert09:  "Maybe the actions over the weekend will turn out to be a good thing over the long run?"
on basis of a new low?....oh lord its so depressing

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 401 - 21/06/2021 15:18:50    2352406

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Replying To bert09:  "Maybe the actions over the weekend will turn out to be a good thing over the long run?"
Yes and I've alluded to this on Twitter, we were going to have a few more "dark days" the next next couple of years anyway regardless of recent happenings but in a perverse way this could help shine a light on the affairs of Meath football brighter than any light shone before, there is a lot of anger and frustration about the county now and serious questions are being asked, I hope the right answers are provided, could be a watershed moment.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3743 - 21/06/2021 15:30:04    2352412

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Replying To Richieq:  "Yes and I've alluded to this on Twitter, we were going to have a few more "dark days" the next next couple of years anyway regardless of recent happenings but in a perverse way this could help shine a light on the affairs of Meath football brighter than any light shone before, there is a lot of anger and frustration about the county now and serious questions are being asked, I hope the right answers are provided, could be a watershed moment."
Richie you're one of the most passionate Meath supporters out there and I think you're very right in the assumption that things will only get darker before the dawn breaks. Unfortunately i'm not sure if we're closer to dusk or dawn and i fear its the former. I think there's a long way to fall from here. I know fans like yourself and RD will support the county no matter what, no matter where (once crowds are allowed back) but a lot more will get more and more disillusioned with the passing of time.

The talent that has been nurtured within the county will very soon drift away from GAA with no prospect of success for other sports, travel and work commitments and we'll drift into the realm of also rans.

I genuinely had hope this time last year that things were on the up, that we were starting to reestablish ourselves as something worthy of being spoken about, but how quickly the thread was pulled and the carpet has vanished before we could realise it.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 21/06/2021 15:54:38    2352422

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Replying To Richieq:  "Yes and I've alluded to this on Twitter, we were going to have a few more "dark days" the next next couple of years anyway regardless of recent happenings but in a perverse way this could help shine a light on the affairs of Meath football brighter than any light shone before, there is a lot of anger and frustration about the county now and serious questions are being asked, I hope the right answers are provided, could be a watershed moment."
not on the basis of a blood letting R..?...at some point we are going to have to stand above the personality issues & really seek to come together as opposed to settling scores & being proved right

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 401 - 21/06/2021 15:58:40    2352423

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Replying To seadog54:  "Thats what came to mind at first, however looking at make up of FDC (first I heard of its existance was today) would have serious doubts."
Should have been FRC, Football Review Committee

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 21/06/2021 17:29:01    2352444

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I really do hate being the forever pessimist. It isnt why Im here on this forum but when you get delivered lemons over and over again you have to make lemonade. Im posting this in utmost good faith to be as constructive as I can in the current situation.

This is a low. A big, big low. An administrative failure. I don't believe in pointing fingers and laying blame as ultimately we're dealing with volunteers here but if this series of incidents doesent personify a lot of what is wrong in Meath, then I dont know what else to tell people. It is saddening that this carry on is still going on in 2021, after being prevalent for twenty years. The successes of the last 3 years, largely foundational, has proven to be a house of cards, as we've seen since mid-2020.

What is the most scary part of all of this is the shrugged shoulders and smacked lips of Joe public on the streets and businesses of the county. They are indifferent. Many couldn't care. Many are not surprised. Many have a feeling of "ah sure look". People by-and-large aren't bothered anymore. Even the rainy day fans (of which there arent too many) are not really invested in these stories. There is a frightening lack of engagement anymore, and a lack of pride in the people. There is now only navel gazing and nostalgia.

We are on the high road to total obscurity at this rate, I have said numerous times over the years that we have been walking this tightrope for a decade or two but now given recent developments I can say we have reverted from where I believed we had built to in 2019 and we have now largely settled back where we were pre-Andy McEntee. Setbacks like this are enough to scuttle ships, and we were already taking on a lot of water. Irregardless or not if more heads are to roll, and I really dont care if they do or dont, this just shows where we are, and it is what it is.

Again Im not blaming anyone for this. Its just a symptom of what we have been for years, and a very sad sign that these fundamental issues of communication, co-operation and good old fashioned politics are still in vogue, which is to our ruination. These incidents may well form a watershed, but I question if the brain power and desire is even there anymore to create a new vision going forward. At this point the eternal pessimist in me tells me that this may be an important marker in the future, but its far more likely to be a marker for all the wrong reasons that any of the right reasons.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 21/06/2021 18:06:20    2352448

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What has happened over last week or so, will comes as no great surprise to some posters. Things have just come to a head, but the signs have been there for quite a while. 2019 was a false dawn, that was achieved more on the back of other counties misfortunes than any great improvement of Meath football. It only helped cover up the long list of shortcomings that were plainly in evidence even in promotion year. Powers that be choose to ignore our poor performance in super 8s, Division One and the now annual humilation by Dublin. They also turned a blind eye to managers behavior on more than one occassion. It looks like CB have once again backed current management at expense of future of Meath football.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 21/06/2021 20:04:36    2352465

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Replying To Thelongwoodslasher:  "not on the basis of a blood letting R..?...at some point we are going to have to stand above the personality issues & really seek to come together as opposed to settling scores & being proved right"
Agreed, but that coming together bit has always been a bit of a problem at times, I don't know whether this is a personality issue, more incompetence by officialdom it seems to me, look we've been in bad spots before but the game has moved on in such a way now that when you are in a bad place it's harder to get out than before, reality is we have been a basket case since 2010, since the perceived end of the good times in 2001 we have won one LSFC, no U21/20 LSFC and 3 LMFC, not exactly a full bag of swag there, and we just seen to lurch between disgruntlement, crisis and sheer frustration. We need a significant dose of modernisation and professionalism and maybe, just maybe, this whole sorry affair might prove that once and for all.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3743 - 21/06/2021 21:05:59    2352476

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Replying To Young_gael:  "I really do hate being the forever pessimist. It isnt why Im here on this forum but when you get delivered lemons over and over again you have to make lemonade. Im posting this in utmost good faith to be as constructive as I can in the current situation.

This is a low. A big, big low. An administrative failure. I don't believe in pointing fingers and laying blame as ultimately we're dealing with volunteers here but if this series of incidents doesent personify a lot of what is wrong in Meath, then I dont know what else to tell people. It is saddening that this carry on is still going on in 2021, after being prevalent for twenty years. The successes of the last 3 years, largely foundational, has proven to be a house of cards, as we've seen since mid-2020.

What is the most scary part of all of this is the shrugged shoulders and smacked lips of Joe public on the streets and businesses of the county. They are indifferent. Many couldn't care. Many are not surprised. Many have a feeling of "ah sure look". People by-and-large aren't bothered anymore. Even the rainy day fans (of which there arent too many) are not really invested in these stories. There is a frightening lack of engagement anymore, and a lack of pride in the people. There is now only navel gazing and nostalgia.

We are on the high road to total obscurity at this rate, I have said numerous times over the years that we have been walking this tightrope for a decade or two but now given recent developments I can say we have reverted from where I believed we had built to in 2019 and we have now largely settled back where we were pre-Andy McEntee. Setbacks like this are enough to scuttle ships, and we were already taking on a lot of water. Irregardless or not if more heads are to roll, and I really dont care if they do or dont, this just shows where we are, and it is what it is.

Again Im not blaming anyone for this. Its just a symptom of what we have been for years, and a very sad sign that these fundamental issues of communication, co-operation and good old fashioned politics are still in vogue, which is to our ruination. These incidents may well form a watershed, but I question if the brain power and desire is even there anymore to create a new vision going forward. At this point the eternal pessimist in me tells me that this may be an important marker in the future, but its far more likely to be a marker for all the wrong reasons that any of the right reasons."
a real sign of progression , would be to let members & Supporters "have their say"...once its not of a negative personal attack or nature, I don't see why we have anything to fear form the meath GAA family expressing their views.....This is the first thing that has to change ….the reality is hiding behind closed door meetings , and contracts ….all lead to the position we are in , and have been in for years . I share this Fear that we are Irrelevant....and the reality is , we are. The passion , fervour, commitment....call it what you like, has been slowly drained over 20 years of constant "blood letting" , back biting, personal agendas ….and thats before a ball is kicked or struck....We really need Leadership. And only then can we think of rebuilding our games & our Brand. Ive said it here before....We have lost our identity, our self respect, and our direction. This has to stop

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 401 - 22/06/2021 09:50:55    2352538

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Replying To Thelongwoodslasher:  "a real sign of progression , would be to let members & Supporters "have their say"...once its not of a negative personal attack or nature, I don't see why we have anything to fear form the meath GAA family expressing their views.....This is the first thing that has to change ….the reality is hiding behind closed door meetings , and contracts ….all lead to the position we are in , and have been in for years . I share this Fear that we are Irrelevant....and the reality is , we are. The passion , fervour, commitment....call it what you like, has been slowly drained over 20 years of constant "blood letting" , back biting, personal agendas ….and thats before a ball is kicked or struck....We really need Leadership. And only then can we think of rebuilding our games & our Brand. Ive said it here before....We have lost our identity, our self respect, and our direction. This has to stop"
I agree entirely with you that we have lost all identity which drains our self respect and leads to an utter lack of direction.
I think it's now time to resign oursleves to being also rans who'll have the odd good season, maybe a freak good result every 10 to 20 years but we'll not be winning anything any time soon. That saddens me as someone who grew up in the 80's watching great teams and further great teams through the 90's and has seen the steady downward decline into irrelevance since 2001. Its no wonder there's no passion now, with so many Dubs relocating out into Meath, Louth, Wicklow and Kildare there will be more Dublin jersies on display in Navan, Naas, Drogheda etc over the next ten years. Kids born of in county parents won't be able to tell there kids about the great days of meath or kildare football etc, because the kids won't be interested.

Personally speaking I've never had a problem with Dublin's success as they built their foundations simce the late 90's (granted they'd a lot of help from the government and GAA alike) but they identified what they needed to do to succeed, put plans in place to achieve it, had joined up thinking. In that time we bumbled along thinking sure we're Meath and we'll be fine but the chickens are coming home to roost now.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 22/06/2021 12:57:48    2352592

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Replying To brian:  "I agree entirely with you that we have lost all identity which drains our self respect and leads to an utter lack of direction.
I think it's now time to resign oursleves to being also rans who'll have the odd good season, maybe a freak good result every 10 to 20 years but we'll not be winning anything any time soon. That saddens me as someone who grew up in the 80's watching great teams and further great teams through the 90's and has seen the steady downward decline into irrelevance since 2001. Its no wonder there's no passion now, with so many Dubs relocating out into Meath, Louth, Wicklow and Kildare there will be more Dublin jersies on display in Navan, Naas, Drogheda etc over the next ten years. Kids born of in county parents won't be able to tell there kids about the great days of meath or kildare football etc, because the kids won't be interested.

Personally speaking I've never had a problem with Dublin's success as they built their foundations simce the late 90's (granted they'd a lot of help from the government and GAA alike) but they identified what they needed to do to succeed, put plans in place to achieve it, had joined up thinking. In that time we bumbled along thinking sure we're Meath and we'll be fine but the chickens are coming home to roost now."
this may sound crazy, but this has to start , equally from the bottom , where a particular attitude needs to be cultivated & allowed to grow as much as Change at the Top. The irony is , weak leadership looks at the Rule book and the terms & conditions for answers, as opposed to consulting it for some guidance. Our organisation at County level & in a lot of Our Clubs have forgotten that we are first a foremost a Community Based Organisation...that happens to have a Rule Book & guide that is supposed to help us not Dictate to us.
EVERYTHING...stems from us understanding our place & our role as Members …..which is to serve the greater good .of the future of Gaelic Games in our Club or County for Future generations.....
If we viewed each & every hurdle or decision with this as our central core we would start to rebuild an organisation that was handed down to us in fine fettle by those in the 70s/80s & 90s.
We think the problem stems from a lack of funding, our league or championship structures, lack of talent in development squads, or squandering of talent in the same squads through a lack of real engagement by various team mangers....Yes these are problems….but these are all symptoms There are not the Illness. The illness is small minded people running club & county affairs who constantly want to make a shrine, or settle a score , or amend a rule , or wear a bib, or make sure there child gets to play all the time , who intimidate referees, bend rules to win a game or competition, …..all looking out for Themselves or their Kin or their cronies
They will tell you they are great GAA people....but they have totally lost sight of the countless men & woman who gave to their Club & County in the past , who wanted & got nothing back from it. They never sought a photoshoot in the Chronicle presenting a bag , or never worried if the u15 Div 5 league was ever one...once the kids got to the game & every kid got some game time
Shame on us all lads & lassies. We have lost our way....and what has gone on recently & has gone on continuously for 20 years , is not on the few
Its time we stood up ...from the bottom up

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 401 - 22/06/2021 14:24:35    2352613

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Replying To brian:  "I dunno where to start with this...

Gallgher is unavailable, ross ryan isn't on the panel, James mcentee and michael newman working back to fitness, Jones and Walsh likely out for the rest of the season

Hickey and Fionn Reilly two of the better players during the league have added depth to the squad. Costello is a good footballer and will develop over the next couple of seasons into a very important player."
Did i say they were going to start friday morning at 12 0 clock,i said best we have,scully and maybe Reilly you are right,costello i think has alot to prove to be given that praise, constantly coughing up possession, fumbling,never looks confident on the ball,there because he's big and fit,(usual lazy gaa management)personally dont think he's even close,results prove are quality has dropped, wouldn't be confident of a quarter final win if we don't get players back quick

Utdroyal (Meath) - Posts: 65 - 23/06/2021 07:51:09    2352752

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Replying To Thelongwoodslasher:  "this may sound crazy, but this has to start , equally from the bottom , where a particular attitude needs to be cultivated & allowed to grow as much as Change at the Top. The irony is , weak leadership looks at the Rule book and the terms & conditions for answers, as opposed to consulting it for some guidance. Our organisation at County level & in a lot of Our Clubs have forgotten that we are first a foremost a Community Based Organisation...that happens to have a Rule Book & guide that is supposed to help us not Dictate to us.
EVERYTHING...stems from us understanding our place & our role as Members …..which is to serve the greater good .of the future of Gaelic Games in our Club or County for Future generations.....
If we viewed each & every hurdle or decision with this as our central core we would start to rebuild an organisation that was handed down to us in fine fettle by those in the 70s/80s & 90s.
We think the problem stems from a lack of funding, our league or championship structures, lack of talent in development squads, or squandering of talent in the same squads through a lack of real engagement by various team mangers....Yes these are problems….but these are all symptoms There are not the Illness. The illness is small minded people running club & county affairs who constantly want to make a shrine, or settle a score , or amend a rule , or wear a bib, or make sure there child gets to play all the time , who intimidate referees, bend rules to win a game or competition, …..all looking out for Themselves or their Kin or their cronies
They will tell you they are great GAA people....but they have totally lost sight of the countless men & woman who gave to their Club & County in the past , who wanted & got nothing back from it. They never sought a photoshoot in the Chronicle presenting a bag , or never worried if the u15 Div 5 league was ever one...once the kids got to the game & every kid got some game time
Shame on us all lads & lassies. We have lost our way....and what has gone on recently & has gone on continuously for 20 years , is not on the few
Its time we stood up ...from the bottom up"
You are right we have lost our way for at least 20 years. The recent developments are sad to watch for those who have a genuine interest in the future of Meath football.
When the story broke last Friday, it looked really bad.
We are in very bad shape both on and off the field in a lot of areas and this crisis only only highlights our massive failings.
There are areas where as a result of this crisis, there could be further very negative implications.
It may very well turn out it was very unnecessary as if Meath don't beat Carlow/Longford, all the under 20's will be available to play in the U20 Championship.
It is not ideal preparation for championship or more importantly for the future and should not have happened.
Hopefully the 2020 Minor footballers will win their Leinster final next Wednesday and bring some badly needed hope and joy and put some positive spotlight on Meath Football which is badly needed at this time.

Meathball (Meath) - Posts: 140 - 23/06/2021 09:50:47    2352766

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Replying To Meathball:  "You are right we have lost our way for at least 20 years. The recent developments are sad to watch for those who have a genuine interest in the future of Meath football.
When the story broke last Friday, it looked really bad.
We are in very bad shape both on and off the field in a lot of areas and this crisis only only highlights our massive failings.
There are areas where as a result of this crisis, there could be further very negative implications.
It may very well turn out it was very unnecessary as if Meath don't beat Carlow/Longford, all the under 20's will be available to play in the U20 Championship.
It is not ideal preparation for championship or more importantly for the future and should not have happened.
Hopefully the 2020 Minor footballers will win their Leinster final next Wednesday and bring some badly needed hope and joy and put some positive spotlight on Meath Football which is badly needed at this time."
It looked bad last week, however, the split in Meath football has widened over last few days and is lightly to leave a lasting imprint. CB have come down in favour of current management, which would suggest we will see no change there in near future. Its a case of carry on regardless. Hopefully minors can win, but nothing more than a very small sticking plaster on a festering wound.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 23/06/2021 19:11:37    2352932

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