Meath Forum

National Football League 2021

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Start with a home game against Westmeath, on the 15th May, last game in group away to Mayo on 30th. Busy few weeks.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2149 - 22/04/2021 16:32:35    2338404

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Looking much more forward to leagues than championship. Bring it on. Two quick wins and we onto a probable semi final with promotion on the cards.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 23/04/2021 22:20:16    2338575

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Looking much more forward to leagues than championship. Bring it on. Two quick wins and we onto a probable semi final with promotion on the cards."
Lot on the line in this years league, as Andy Mc said in Chronicle" Our performance in the league could potentially have huge implications on where we play football next year, not just league football, but also championship football"
So added pressure on all teams to avoid the drop, we must make the best of home advantage against the neighbours, whoever looses first game is under real pressure. Its great to be back and if panel is injury free, we should start with a win.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2149 - 24/04/2021 15:01:26    2338630

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I understood that the sanctions handed down to counties who breached the training restrictions was to hand down penalties to the counties involved, however in the case of the Down game it appears it is Meath that are the team paying the price for Down's transgressions.
Had Down not been caught with their hand in the cookie jar the game would have been played in Pairc Esler, Newry, 76 km from Navan. Because the penalty for Down is not been allowed to play games at home, the GAA have fixed the game for Armagh (106 km from Navan). So as a result of Down's transgressions Meath have a longer trip. As no crowds are allowed go to these games, surely there were many options that would not have had the affect of penalising Meath. Even if the games have to be played in a county ground the ideal location would be Drogheda (27km) or Breffini Park (52km from Navan).
I think Meath GAA should ask for a change of venue.

Meathball (Meath) - Posts: 140 - 29/04/2021 13:53:24    2339318

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Replying To Meathball:  "I understood that the sanctions handed down to counties who breached the training restrictions was to hand down penalties to the counties involved, however in the case of the Down game it appears it is Meath that are the team paying the price for Down's transgressions.
Had Down not been caught with their hand in the cookie jar the game would have been played in Pairc Esler, Newry, 76 km from Navan. Because the penalty for Down is not been allowed to play games at home, the GAA have fixed the game for Armagh (106 km from Navan). So as a result of Down's transgressions Meath have a longer trip. As no crowds are allowed go to these games, surely there were many options that would not have had the affect of penalising Meath. Even if the games have to be played in a county ground the ideal location would be Drogheda (27km) or Breffini Park (52km from Navan).
I think Meath GAA should ask for a change of venue."
The GAA have a poor disciplinary system, there is no rule that cannot be navigated to acheive required result. Here we have a typical GAA solution, a serious breach resulted in little or no punishment,, as you say it could be argued Meath come out the worst. Hopefully we will be traveling with two points in the bag.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2149 - 29/04/2021 15:09:57    2339348

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First game against our neighbours is a must win, down & mayo games are hard to all and we could come up short, loose to Westmeath and we could find ourselves in serious trouble.

Westmeath are a very balanced team that are improving under Jack Cooney, they will be up for this one.

thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1049 - 02/05/2021 12:06:47    2339684

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Replying To thelutch:  "First game against our neighbours is a must win, down & mayo games are hard to all and we could come up short, loose to Westmeath and we could find ourselves in serious trouble.

Westmeath are a very balanced team that are improving under Jack Cooney, they will be up for this one."
Our only home game so we must start with a win, Westmeath will have no fear of us and a win here would set them up for their two remaining games at home. Really interested to see what team starts for us in two weeks. Now an easy one, however one we are capable of winning.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2149 - 02/05/2021 19:22:55    2339712

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I'll make one prediction. Meath beat either or both of wmeath & Down. It will be ahh sure that's nothing what when they play xyz. If we are to lose it will be a travesty and totally mcentee fault etc etc etc.
Even if we were to beat mayo it will be ahh sure they were already qualified and looking to Connacht and all ire wouldn't beat them in championship etc etc etc. Get beat by them ? And another travesty blah blah blah.
Get promoted? And sure if we didn't get promoted it would have been a disaster, get relegated and it's the end of days, stay in division two. Same thing.
And what's more I could name the posters who will be like this regardless of what happens, plus of course those that appear only after a loss.
Who'd be involved in Meath management ? The most poisonous job in gaa at this stage.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/05/2021 14:08:52    2339789

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I'll make one prediction. Meath beat either or both of wmeath & Down. It will be ahh sure that's nothing what when they play xyz. If we are to lose it will be a travesty and totally mcentee fault etc etc etc.
Even if we were to beat mayo it will be ahh sure they were already qualified and looking to Connacht and all ire wouldn't beat them in championship etc etc etc. Get beat by them ? And another travesty blah blah blah.
Get promoted? And sure if we didn't get promoted it would have been a disaster, get relegated and it's the end of days, stay in division two. Same thing.
And what's more I could name the posters who will be like this regardless of what happens, plus of course those that appear only after a loss.
Who'd be involved in Meath management ? The most poisonous job in gaa at this stage."
Yes and meath win i told you so.lose its only the league.glaring mistakes from goalie to freetaker and its bury the head in the sand and hope for the best.give me a break lad.thats forums people differ.do you honestly think everyone on here wants meath to lose.and go backwards.

Borderroyal (Meath) - Posts: 488 - 03/05/2021 17:30:26    2339817

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I'll make one prediction. Meath beat either or both of wmeath & Down. It will be ahh sure that's nothing what when they play xyz. If we are to lose it will be a travesty and totally mcentee fault etc etc etc.
Even if we were to beat mayo it will be ahh sure they were already qualified and looking to Connacht and all ire wouldn't beat them in championship etc etc etc. Get beat by them ? And another travesty blah blah blah.
Get promoted? And sure if we didn't get promoted it would have been a disaster, get relegated and it's the end of days, stay in division two. Same thing.
And what's more I could name the posters who will be like this regardless of what happens, plus of course those that appear only after a loss.
Who'd be involved in Meath management ? The most poisonous job in gaa at this stage."
I have to disagree with you here RD. I think if we get promoted again criticism of management won't be gone but will quiet a lot and would almost guarantee Andy as our manager for 2022. There would be people calling for his head if we lost to Dublin and didn't play well but that wouldn't concern me too much. But I do think this league campaign will shape opinion on Andy going forward. If we go up then 2019 wasn't a fluke, we are back into D1 with a better squad, more experience, a decent amount of players at their peak, Nash and McBride out of contract this Autumn I think ...If we don't get promoted then we have to beat the other Leinster teams and baring a much improved Dublin game Andy might be on the hot seat, and if we get relegated then forget about it. It is very harsh that 2 of our 3 most important games of the year are our first 2 on the back of no games for 6 months at all for any of the players and only 4 weeks of proper training, but they are the breaks. There's no real excuse that I can see, we have to get promoted again

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1462 - 03/05/2021 20:51:22    2339855

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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99:  "I have to disagree with you here RD. I think if we get promoted again criticism of management won't be gone but will quiet a lot and would almost guarantee Andy as our manager for 2022. There would be people calling for his head if we lost to Dublin and didn't play well but that wouldn't concern me too much. But I do think this league campaign will shape opinion on Andy going forward. If we go up then 2019 wasn't a fluke, we are back into D1 with a better squad, more experience, a decent amount of players at their peak, Nash and McBride out of contract this Autumn I think ...If we don't get promoted then we have to beat the other Leinster teams and baring a much improved Dublin game Andy might be on the hot seat, and if we get relegated then forget about it. It is very harsh that 2 of our 3 most important games of the year are our first 2 on the back of no games for 6 months at all for any of the players and only 4 weeks of proper training, but they are the breaks. There's no real excuse that I can see, we have to get promoted again"
Look I agree, for me it's promotion or change of management, that doesn't mean we won't see the usual suspects at it on here. I have stated quite clear that nothing is more important than getting promoted. That's our all ire.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 04/05/2021 07:26:11    2339879

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It is especially difficult for Div 2/3 teams this year, bad year and you may end up playing in Tailteann Cup. However Meath can get promoted by winning just three games, so a good start is essential. Its there for us if we are good enough.In the main, criticism of current management has centered around their failings to address obvious issues. Otherwise dont think Andy Mac is under any great pressure, barring a drop to division three, or a complete melt down in Leinster. I think he will be given another year, however may have to rethink his backroom team.
Meath panel have all been given training programmes over the last three and a half months, have been tested remotely and scores submitted for analysis. So they should have a good level of fitness, however four weeks is a very short time to get panel ready for such important games. Cork lost two lads to injury (ACL) last week, so care has to be taken not to push too hard.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2149 - 04/05/2021 18:56:12    2339980

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Replying To seadog54:  "It is especially difficult for Div 2/3 teams this year, bad year and you may end up playing in Tailteann Cup. However Meath can get promoted by winning just three games, so a good start is essential. Its there for us if we are good enough.In the main, criticism of current management has centered around their failings to address obvious issues. Otherwise dont think Andy Mac is under any great pressure, barring a drop to division three, or a complete melt down in Leinster. I think he will be given another year, however may have to rethink his backroom team.
Meath panel have all been given training programmes over the last three and a half months, have been tested remotely and scores submitted for analysis. So they should have a good level of fitness, however four weeks is a very short time to get panel ready for such important games. Cork lost two lads to injury (ACL) last week, so care has to be taken not to push too hard."
This I agree with. Also in a competitive game u could see lads get badly injured (not only from Meath) due to not enough actual proper training. 4 weeks was crazy.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 05/05/2021 07:50:26    2340037

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Look I agree, for me it's promotion or change of management, that doesn't mean we won't see the usual suspects at it on here. I have stated quite clear that nothing is more important than getting promoted. That's our all ire."
Promotion...or change of management....yet two posts later ….RD you' admit that the way the Season is et up makes it extremely difficult for both players & Management…..So surely then we have to assess the Year on a number of factors, other than simple promotion to Div 1

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 385 - 05/05/2021 16:41:33    2340134

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Replying To Thelongwoodslasher:  "Promotion...or change of management....yet two posts later ….RD you' admit that the way the Season is et up makes it extremely difficult for both players & Management…..So surely then we have to assess the Year on a number of factors, other than simple promotion to Div 1"
I agree it's difficult, only 4 weeks training etc. However that is the same for all counties, so yes we have to see promotion as the ultimate goal this year. We are not (no matter how much I hope and pray ) going to win all ire or Leinster, this is a chance for promotion and should the final go ahead maybe a bit of silverware (longtime since we had some ).
Both statements are accurate, it's going to be hard, but it's going to be hard for everyone, therefore the goal must be the same. Promotion.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 05/05/2021 17:21:52    2340144

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I agree it's difficult, only 4 weeks training etc. However that is the same for all counties, so yes we have to see promotion as the ultimate goal this year. We are not (no matter how much I hope and pray ) going to win all ire or Leinster, this is a chance for promotion and should the final go ahead maybe a bit of silverware (longtime since we had some ).
Both statements are accurate, it's going to be hard, but it's going to be hard for everyone, therefore the goal must be the same. Promotion."
totally respect You RD and have enjoyed your posts & contributions here for a long time. Im just worried that we don't rush into another management Team, no matter what happens this year . I think Andy has max...this Year & next (maybe) , no matter what way the results go , and in that time , for Meath Football, I really hope we see progression on a number of fronts , so that when Next Management Team are installed, its a case of building on from where Andy left us
Overall from afar....& comparing Andy's Time to Previous incumbent ….I think we have seen improvements .
Without going into the detail of what they are...what I think summarises for me is that "on average...we now beat or are very competitive against that lower 2nd & 3rd tier teams ...ie to use a term I hate to see...we beat the teams WE think we should beat
What's dragging Andy's performance down for sure , is that after enough of a period in the hot seat , there are still massive "visible" areas which he doesn't seem to have been able to progress....the goalkeeping/kick out strategy being the obvious one to the everyday supporter ....but for me more importantly , is the belief that i'm not sure that Andy has a vision for the spine of his Team....and I ask myself Why.....and the answer I keep coming up with, is Andys lack of patience & realism...patience to start from scratch a build a player or a number of players into ones that can compete at the Top level nationally....and realism, to accept that the fruits of that labour wont be his...but rather will be for the next management team

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 385 - 06/05/2021 10:31:51    2340212

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Replying To Thelongwoodslasher:  "totally respect You RD and have enjoyed your posts & contributions here for a long time. Im just worried that we don't rush into another management Team, no matter what happens this year . I think Andy has max...this Year & next (maybe) , no matter what way the results go , and in that time , for Meath Football, I really hope we see progression on a number of fronts , so that when Next Management Team are installed, its a case of building on from where Andy left us
Overall from afar....& comparing Andy's Time to Previous incumbent ….I think we have seen improvements .
Without going into the detail of what they are...what I think summarises for me is that "on average...we now beat or are very competitive against that lower 2nd & 3rd tier teams ...ie to use a term I hate to see...we beat the teams WE think we should beat
What's dragging Andy's performance down for sure , is that after enough of a period in the hot seat , there are still massive "visible" areas which he doesn't seem to have been able to progress....the goalkeeping/kick out strategy being the obvious one to the everyday supporter ....but for me more importantly , is the belief that i'm not sure that Andy has a vision for the spine of his Team....and I ask myself Why.....and the answer I keep coming up with, is Andys lack of patience & realism...patience to start from scratch a build a player or a number of players into ones that can compete at the Top level nationally....and realism, to accept that the fruits of that labour wont be his...but rather will be for the next management team"
First and foremost, i believe 4 weeks in plenty time to get the team ready. Players from other counties have already stated this

Should Andy or the CB decide the time is up, who are the alternatives to take the job? I cant think of many who would improve or want the position

juicy (Meath) - Posts: 399 - 06/05/2021 12:13:29    2340239

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Replying To juicy:  "First and foremost, i believe 4 weeks in plenty time to get the team ready. Players from other counties have already stated this

Should Andy or the CB decide the time is up, who are the alternatives to take the job? I cant think of many who would improve or want the position"
I would tend to agree, the succession plan with Bernard Flynn and/or John McCarthy is contingent on Andy being there for another 2-year minimum. Colm O'Rourke is the only candidate I could think of. I don't see Andy ever wanting out tbh, he would have to be pushed. But again if we get promoted this year then it's a non issue for next year

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1462 - 06/05/2021 14:46:33    2340266

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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99:  "I would tend to agree, the succession plan with Bernard Flynn and/or John McCarthy is contingent on Andy being there for another 2-year minimum. Colm O'Rourke is the only candidate I could think of. I don't see Andy ever wanting out tbh, he would have to be pushed. But again if we get promoted this year then it's a non issue for next year"
Colm has no interest and I can't blame him. Gave the county board his plans many years ago and was laughed out of it. Why would he bother giving his time now.

I agree promotion and Andy has no issue for 2022, but relegation and the fun truly will begin

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 06/05/2021 15:38:21    2340282

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Replying To Thelongwoodslasher:  "totally respect You RD and have enjoyed your posts & contributions here for a long time. Im just worried that we don't rush into another management Team, no matter what happens this year . I think Andy has max...this Year & next (maybe) , no matter what way the results go , and in that time , for Meath Football, I really hope we see progression on a number of fronts , so that when Next Management Team are installed, its a case of building on from where Andy left us
Overall from afar....& comparing Andy's Time to Previous incumbent ….I think we have seen improvements .
Without going into the detail of what they are...what I think summarises for me is that "on average...we now beat or are very competitive against that lower 2nd & 3rd tier teams ...ie to use a term I hate to see...we beat the teams WE think we should beat
What's dragging Andy's performance down for sure , is that after enough of a period in the hot seat , there are still massive "visible" areas which he doesn't seem to have been able to progress....the goalkeeping/kick out strategy being the obvious one to the everyday supporter ....but for me more importantly , is the belief that i'm not sure that Andy has a vision for the spine of his Team....and I ask myself Why.....and the answer I keep coming up with, is Andys lack of patience & realism...patience to start from scratch a build a player or a number of players into ones that can compete at the Top level nationally....and realism, to accept that the fruits of that labour wont be his...but rather will be for the next management team"
I've long been a fan of andys. And continue to be.
And what I see as a cementing his position is promotion. And I totally agree that we don't have any obvious succession to take over next year. Flynn geraghty and Reilly/ or McCarthy are all obviously looking to a few years down the road , and that is why I do think we have to put this to bed, and by getting promotion we do.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/05/2021 06:57:51    2340361

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