Meath Forum

Meath Vs Kildare Promotion Playoff

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Replying To Crinigan:  "That should have stayed on the field and been dealt with on the field. No point in bringing that up in interviews, not the Meath way. Use it for fuel for next time we play those bitter minnows."
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bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1354 - 14/06/2021 18:33:02    2350897

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Majority of posters appear to agree on the same thing for once regarding the match and how it went along with the feelings towards the manager.

We have to appreciate where Meath have come from - a team the collapsed spectacularly in every other game to a team ranked in the 8-12 bracket.

Change has come. We got out of Division 2, made it back to Leinster finals, won a qualifier game, played in the super 8s.

That is all progress.

It was obvious when we got up to that level - Division 1 and Super 8s that we were 9-10 points behind the big boys. There was no shame in that and no shame in knowing where we needed to be.

Our problem is while the collapses have stopped, we are so one dimensional and easy to play against when you're a team in the 1-12 rank.

The problems we have harked on about for years - goalkeeper/kickout strategy/midfield/attacking channels/ball recycling/freetaking/Plan B. These items have not been addressed. Not addressed at all despite being Meaths downfall time and time again and having winters to sort.

It has been the managements inability to adapt to this circus of elephants in the room which is ultimately their downfall.

We have decent players, players that are capable of giving an extra 15% when required. We also have players who won't commit and its not surprising why they won't commit when you look at certain players retaining their positions for little contribution.

Yesterday's game was the most important game of our season in 2021. It would have bearing on next season and we wouldn't have had an easier opportunity to go up. The Mayo game counted for little to ensure that we had a full compliment for the "important" game.

It is infuriating that Meath had a game of no importance, got thumped, then went out and gave such a poor account of themselves in the game that mattered.

Unfortunately there is nothing to look forward to out of the championship other than a few youngsters getting a run at senior to keep hope alive for next season.

Royalio11 (Meath) - Posts: 757 - 14/06/2021 19:34:22    2350918

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Ok fans and foes. I will be taking a break from hoganstand for the foreseeable, on the main forum I posted similar as I did here that I missed second half after having to rush to a and e in Mullingar general hospital with my son. I have spoken at various times about my son been born very premature and with lots of medical problems, I even met the dubs and Sam in crumlin after one of their wins. He has a extremely rare blood condition and began to bleed heavily from his nose for no reason. Anyway I just said I was in hospital and had missed a few things in match.
I got a response basically calling me a liar from a bitter nordie (Tyrone to be exact) That level of hatred is not what I ever joined this site for circa 2000, and to disrespect my ill son is the final straw that such a post was allowed, we may have disagreed passionately about things but I hope there is such a thing as common decency among Meath supporters.
I know longer want to be part of a site that would permit such a comment about my son.
He's fine btw and sitting on my lap as I write this.
Good luck to you all and live ur best life.
And as alway.
HON THE ROYAL

GOOD BYE"
Royaldunne me oule flower I hope your son is OK? I love my GAA but family comes first. You get good and bad supporters everywhere. Take no heed and keep the head above the water. Wishing your son the very best.

Ollie2 (Louth) - Posts: 785 - 14/06/2021 19:46:14    2350922

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Ok fans and foes. I will be taking a break from hoganstand for the foreseeable, on the main forum I posted similar as I did here that I missed second half after having to rush to a and e in Mullingar general hospital with my son. I have spoken at various times about my son been born very premature and with lots of medical problems, I even met the dubs and Sam in crumlin after one of their wins. He has a extremely rare blood condition and began to bleed heavily from his nose for no reason. Anyway I just said I was in hospital and had missed a few things in match.
I got a response basically calling me a liar from a bitter nordie (Tyrone to be exact) That level of hatred is not what I ever joined this site for circa 2000, and to disrespect my ill son is the final straw that such a post was allowed, we may have disagreed passionately about things but I hope there is such a thing as common decency among Meath supporters.
I know longer want to be part of a site that would permit such a comment about my son.
He's fine btw and sitting on my lap as I write this.
Good luck to you all and live ur best life.
And as alway.
HON THE ROYAL

GOOD BYE"
I agree with the others RD. Stick with this board and ognore the other one.

Best wishes to the young lad.

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 224 - 14/06/2021 21:46:50    2350974

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I have to say that a lot of sense and passion has been shown in the above posts.

I do tend to agree with those saying that we need to see this season and for Andy, his selectors and the county board to make an honest review of the season and where we are now. I agree with those saying that Bernard Flynn should be left to see out his tenure with the under 20's.

There are a number of issues highlighted above, kick out strategy, full back line, high fielding in midfield but I just want to mention 2 things for the moment.

When Kildare went down to 14 men it was still early in the second half. Did we have any strategy to take advantage? We did not have tythe nous to take advantage and I think that the 14 Kildare players showed more committment and belief after that.
Then literally within 2 minutes Bryan McMahon missed a gilt edged free - I think that deflated the players - we had a little bit of hope but you cannot be missing frees like that.

Go back to the great team of 87 - '91. Many of us might disagree as to who was the most important player on that team. However, I think a strong case could be made that Brian Stafford was the most important player on that team. He was coolness personified and his free taking kept many a comeback ticking over.

We urgently need a Brian Stafford - we may have to sacrifice something in normal play but we need to look at who the most consistent free takers in the county and see who we can get in and implement a strategy possibly including Jordan Morriss on the right also.

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 224 - 14/06/2021 22:09:33    2350985

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What has Flynn done as manager to be linked with position?
Kildare are a step ahead because they went for a proven manager a couple of years ago.
It's time the CB got over the Banty embarrassment and look external again.

Up4deMatch (Meath) - Posts: 20 - 14/06/2021 23:46:35    2351013

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Replying To stillaroyal:  "I have to say that a lot of sense and passion has been shown in the above posts.

I do tend to agree with those saying that we need to see this season and for Andy, his selectors and the county board to make an honest review of the season and where we are now. I agree with those saying that Bernard Flynn should be left to see out his tenure with the under 20's.

There are a number of issues highlighted above, kick out strategy, full back line, high fielding in midfield but I just want to mention 2 things for the moment.

When Kildare went down to 14 men it was still early in the second half. Did we have any strategy to take advantage? We did not have tythe nous to take advantage and I think that the 14 Kildare players showed more committment and belief after that.
Then literally within 2 minutes Bryan McMahon missed a gilt edged free - I think that deflated the players - we had a little bit of hope but you cannot be missing frees like that.

Go back to the great team of 87 - '91. Many of us might disagree as to who was the most important player on that team. However, I think a strong case could be made that Brian Stafford was the most important player on that team. He was coolness personified and his free taking kept many a comeback ticking over.

We urgently need a Brian Stafford - we may have to sacrifice something in normal play but we need to look at who the most consistent free takers in the county and see who we can get in and implement a strategy possibly including Jordan Morriss on the right also."
Think Brian Stafford is retired

head4dblackspot (Meath) - Posts: 513 - 15/06/2021 04:39:04    2351028

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Does anyone know what sort of term McEntee is on course to be manager for the future?
Review at end of the year?

Up4deMatch (Meath) - Posts: 20 - 15/06/2021 08:31:03    2351039

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Replying To Up4deMatch:  "What has Flynn done as manager to be linked with position?
Kildare are a step ahead because they went for a proven manager a couple of years ago.
It's time the CB got over the Banty embarrassment and look external again."
tell ya what its time for....Time that Appointment of Managers is taken away from CB . Look at their record over the last 40 years. Other than getting lucky with SB..
Most important appointment next is a Full time County Secretary like John Costelloe in Dublin...single most important function for the County for the next generation.

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 384 - 15/06/2021 09:41:45    2351049

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Replying To Royalio11:  "Majority of posters appear to agree on the same thing for once regarding the match and how it went along with the feelings towards the manager.

We have to appreciate where Meath have come from - a team the collapsed spectacularly in every other game to a team ranked in the 8-12 bracket.

Change has come. We got out of Division 2, made it back to Leinster finals, won a qualifier game, played in the super 8s.

That is all progress.

It was obvious when we got up to that level - Division 1 and Super 8s that we were 9-10 points behind the big boys. There was no shame in that and no shame in knowing where we needed to be.

Our problem is while the collapses have stopped, we are so one dimensional and easy to play against when you're a team in the 1-12 rank.

The problems we have harked on about for years - goalkeeper/kickout strategy/midfield/attacking channels/ball recycling/freetaking/Plan B. These items have not been addressed. Not addressed at all despite being Meaths downfall time and time again and having winters to sort.

It has been the managements inability to adapt to this circus of elephants in the room which is ultimately their downfall.

We have decent players, players that are capable of giving an extra 15% when required. We also have players who won't commit and its not surprising why they won't commit when you look at certain players retaining their positions for little contribution.

Yesterday's game was the most important game of our season in 2021. It would have bearing on next season and we wouldn't have had an easier opportunity to go up. The Mayo game counted for little to ensure that we had a full compliment for the "important" game.

It is infuriating that Meath had a game of no importance, got thumped, then went out and gave such a poor account of themselves in the game that mattered.

Unfortunately there is nothing to look forward to out of the championship other than a few youngsters getting a run at senior to keep hope alive for next season."
The Leinster Quarter final v Carlow/Longford is not a gimme if we are without Keoghan, Menton, McGill, B. Conlon, Jones and Walsh. It will though give a chance for some of the youngsters to show what they are made of with the future in mind.

kingofclubs (Meath) - Posts: 321 - 15/06/2021 09:52:42    2351052

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Replying To head4dblackspot:  "Think Brian Stafford is retired"
I think you know what I mean.

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 224 - 15/06/2021 10:56:22    2351078

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Replying To head4dblackspot:  "Think Brian Stafford is retired"
You're right on this one, I can confirm with good authority that this is indeed the case. Have to explore a different avenue.

pim (Meath) - Posts: 119 - 15/06/2021 11:42:35    2351093

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Replying To kingofclubs:  "The Leinster Quarter final v Carlow/Longford is not a gimme if we are without Keoghan, Menton, McGill, B. Conlon, Jones and Walsh. It will though give a chance for some of the youngsters to show what they are made of with the future in mind."
This is what i find worrying is that if we're missing some or all of these players who fills in.

For me McGill hasn't played well in a Meath jersey since 2019, but he's remained an automatic starter. I'm not knocking Conor saying this I think he's the best full back option we have but I would like to see a bit more of him being a dominant no nonsense full back that opposing full forwards shy away from. I suppose as a county we've been spoilt previously with the talent we've had at full back dating back to Paddy Hands O'Brien, Jack Quinn, Mick Lyons, Darren Fay and Kevin Reilly. As for who'd start in his absence I'm not sure we have that option, Lavin could be assigned to full back but then who plays in the corners. Hickey would need to be moved out to 5 if Keoghan is missing. Ryan would surely have to be considered as an option too.

I think we're looking at some combination of Lavin, Ryan, Harkin, Hickey, S McEntee and Reilly. Maybe James McEntee comes in if his fitness permits.

Menton Conlon and Jones being out means we're down to bare bones at midfield and it will be Harnan and Devine. If one of them goes out I dunno who's the next player up. Maybe one of Danny Dixon, Matthew Costello or Jack Flynn, none of whom have played much at midfield for Meath.

We've played without Walsh all year (4 games i know) but I'm guessing they'll try and keep the forward line (which isn't performing) in tact but personally I'd tear up what's there as its not working. There's no leader in the unit, Cillian to his credit tries but takes too much on himself rather than involving his team mates. Morris is still adjusting to the level and I would hope we see the best of him in 2022. For me I'd be starting both Wallaces and Michael Newman using MIchael inside and have Morris feed off him. The two Wallaces deserved to start at this stage given the impact they're creating off the bench.

Goalkeeper well there is really nothing we can say. Colgan just isn't the answer to it, Hogan fluffed his lines and Liam Byrne isn't a goalkeeper.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 15/06/2021 12:25:12    2351107

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Replying To brian:  "This is what i find worrying is that if we're missing some or all of these players who fills in.

For me McGill hasn't played well in a Meath jersey since 2019, but he's remained an automatic starter. I'm not knocking Conor saying this I think he's the best full back option we have but I would like to see a bit more of him being a dominant no nonsense full back that opposing full forwards shy away from. I suppose as a county we've been spoilt previously with the talent we've had at full back dating back to Paddy Hands O'Brien, Jack Quinn, Mick Lyons, Darren Fay and Kevin Reilly. As for who'd start in his absence I'm not sure we have that option, Lavin could be assigned to full back but then who plays in the corners. Hickey would need to be moved out to 5 if Keoghan is missing. Ryan would surely have to be considered as an option too.

I think we're looking at some combination of Lavin, Ryan, Harkin, Hickey, S McEntee and Reilly. Maybe James McEntee comes in if his fitness permits.

Menton Conlon and Jones being out means we're down to bare bones at midfield and it will be Harnan and Devine. If one of them goes out I dunno who's the next player up. Maybe one of Danny Dixon, Matthew Costello or Jack Flynn, none of whom have played much at midfield for Meath.

We've played without Walsh all year (4 games i know) but I'm guessing they'll try and keep the forward line (which isn't performing) in tact but personally I'd tear up what's there as its not working. There's no leader in the unit, Cillian to his credit tries but takes too much on himself rather than involving his team mates. Morris is still adjusting to the level and I would hope we see the best of him in 2022. For me I'd be starting both Wallaces and Michael Newman using MIchael inside and have Morris feed off him. The two Wallaces deserved to start at this stage given the impact they're creating off the bench.

Goalkeeper well there is really nothing we can say. Colgan just isn't the answer to it, Hogan fluffed his lines and Liam Byrne isn't a goalkeeper."
to say McGill hasnt played well is harsh, look at how we are set up defensively, Hickey is encouraged to carry the ball forward at every opportunity( youre right to sugest moving CHick to 5 and put in a corner back that will stay back , McEntee is told to mark Space, it was their center forward that was kicking in all the dangerous ball, Fion Reilly was making his Debut (done very well ) and again encouraged to get forward. so we were left 2v2 on the inside line and our sweeper was neither preventing the ball from being kicked in or sweeping up the breaking ball that Lavin and McGill were knocking down, (both giving away size and bulk) . In summary only conceding 1-14 wasn't our problem . our complete half forward line were beaten to every ball and bullied in the first half and when Colgan did manage to pick out Devine in the first half he spilled it lost possession and Kildare scored from it . Thomas Reilly didn't get on the ball and was substituted and CoS was being marked out of it. Morris is now getting more closely marked and only scoring when managing to score from difficult angles and out wide where some of the Top teams wouldn't dream of kicking from. if we think that loosing a game that we only managed 14 points was the the fault of the full back line or Goalie we are going no where , Tyrone even managed to Score 1-14 while conceding 6-15 at the other end, bar Longford winning a Div 3 Relegation game with 1-13 (lowest winning score of the weekend) , 1-14 was the lowest winning score of the Promotion Play-offs.

ABD09 (Meath) - Posts: 68 - 16/06/2021 13:12:10    2351409

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Replying To ABD09:  "to say McGill hasnt played well is harsh, look at how we are set up defensively, Hickey is encouraged to carry the ball forward at every opportunity( youre right to sugest moving CHick to 5 and put in a corner back that will stay back , McEntee is told to mark Space, it was their center forward that was kicking in all the dangerous ball, Fion Reilly was making his Debut (done very well ) and again encouraged to get forward. so we were left 2v2 on the inside line and our sweeper was neither preventing the ball from being kicked in or sweeping up the breaking ball that Lavin and McGill were knocking down, (both giving away size and bulk) . In summary only conceding 1-14 wasn't our problem . our complete half forward line were beaten to every ball and bullied in the first half and when Colgan did manage to pick out Devine in the first half he spilled it lost possession and Kildare scored from it . Thomas Reilly didn't get on the ball and was substituted and CoS was being marked out of it. Morris is now getting more closely marked and only scoring when managing to score from difficult angles and out wide where some of the Top teams wouldn't dream of kicking from. if we think that loosing a game that we only managed 14 points was the the fault of the full back line or Goalie we are going no where , Tyrone even managed to Score 1-14 while conceding 6-15 at the other end, bar Longford winning a Div 3 Relegation game with 1-13 (lowest winning score of the weekend) , 1-14 was the lowest winning score of the Promotion Play-offs."
Neither McGill or Lavin have played well going as far back as Kildare semi-final last year. However there is a lot of truth in what you say, they have been left exposed game after game and management did not see fit to make change to way we play. It was said before Kildare game we needed to keep it tight for first half, should have dropped men back and given full back line more protection, inexcuseable that management once again stood by and watched it happen. Hard to judge forwards, we are so slow getting ball to them, opposition have dropped men back and smother us with ease. Indeed its hard to judge how good/poor players are with so many basic faults in our game.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2142 - 16/06/2021 20:48:21    2351505

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Replying To brian:  "This is what i find worrying is that if we're missing some or all of these players who fills in.

For me McGill hasn't played well in a Meath jersey since 2019, but he's remained an automatic starter. I'm not knocking Conor saying this I think he's the best full back option we have but I would like to see a bit more of him being a dominant no nonsense full back that opposing full forwards shy away from. I suppose as a county we've been spoilt previously with the talent we've had at full back dating back to Paddy Hands O'Brien, Jack Quinn, Mick Lyons, Darren Fay and Kevin Reilly. As for who'd start in his absence I'm not sure we have that option, Lavin could be assigned to full back but then who plays in the corners. Hickey would need to be moved out to 5 if Keoghan is missing. Ryan would surely have to be considered as an option too.

I think we're looking at some combination of Lavin, Ryan, Harkin, Hickey, S McEntee and Reilly. Maybe James McEntee comes in if his fitness permits.

Menton Conlon and Jones being out means we're down to bare bones at midfield and it will be Harnan and Devine. If one of them goes out I dunno who's the next player up. Maybe one of Danny Dixon, Matthew Costello or Jack Flynn, none of whom have played much at midfield for Meath.

We've played without Walsh all year (4 games i know) but I'm guessing they'll try and keep the forward line (which isn't performing) in tact but personally I'd tear up what's there as its not working. There's no leader in the unit, Cillian to his credit tries but takes too much on himself rather than involving his team mates. Morris is still adjusting to the level and I would hope we see the best of him in 2022. For me I'd be starting both Wallaces and Michael Newman using MIchael inside and have Morris feed off him. The two Wallaces deserved to start at this stage given the impact they're creating off the bench.

Goalkeeper well there is really nothing we can say. Colgan just isn't the answer to it, Hogan fluffed his lines and Liam Byrne isn't a goalkeeper."
"Lavin could be assigned to full back" you must really be joking or have recently arrived on this planet!!!!
How anybody could suggest the Lavin would make a fullback after the concession of Kildare's goal last Sunday is away with the fairies.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1063 - 17/06/2021 12:48:04    2351609

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Replying To MillerX:  ""Lavin could be assigned to full back" you must really be joking or have recently arrived on this planet!!!!
How anybody could suggest the Lavin would make a fullback after the concession of Kildare's goal last Sunday is away with the fairies."
I'm not saying Lavin should be, and far from it. He's not a full back. But Andy has on occassion selected Lavin at full back when McGill is out, and that;s why i said he could be assigned to full back.

But seeing as I've only arrived on this planet tell me who all these super full backs, who are available within Meath, who are on the panel and are that are queued up behind McGill and will be selected. Its easy to say you disagree with something without providing an alternative.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 17/06/2021 13:04:17    2351611

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Replying To brian:  "
Replying To MillerX:  ""Lavin could be assigned to full back" you must really be joking or have recently arrived on this planet!!!!
How anybody could suggest the Lavin would make a fullback after the concession of Kildare's goal last Sunday is away with the fairies."
I'm not saying Lavin should be, and far from it. He's not a full back. But Andy has on occassion selected Lavin at full back when McGill is out, and that;s why i said he could be assigned to full back.

But seeing as I've only arrived on this planet tell me who all these super full backs, who are available within Meath, who are on the panel and are that are queued up behind McGill and will be selected. Its easy to say you disagree with something without providing an alternative."
But you did say Lavin could be assigned to full back, I am saying no way is that a runner after the disaster goal last Sunday. I am not privy to happenings at training or indeed the form shown by any contenders to replace Conor McGill in our opening championship match because of last year's Covid restrictions but I do know that in the past Meath selectors/management teams in emergencies were innovative in resolving such issues. Martin O'Connell filled the No 3 berth with distinction in the NFL Final v Armagh, was it 1994? Jack Quinn switched from mid field in 1966, to replace his brother Martin and made the position his own for the next 9 years. They were both men who would be so easily beaten for a high ball into the danger area as was the case last Sunday. I know that obviously stand-ins are scarce in the probable absence of Keoghan and Menton but it is management's responsibility to have adequate replacements available and not players who are extremely vulnerable to a high ball. At this stage going outside the current panel may be necessary and indeed welcome.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1063 - 17/06/2021 19:22:35    2351713

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Replying To MillerX:  ""Lavin could be assigned to full back" you must really be joking or have recently arrived on this planet!!!!
How anybody could suggest the Lavin would make a fullback after the concession of Kildare's goal last Sunday is away with the fairies."
You're being extremely harsh there I feel. Lavin and McGill haven't lived up to their 2019 form and it's one of our biggest reasons for overall regression this year. But in that instance, it was a complete fluke. It was a mishit shot that torpedoed into Hyland's hands. If it was a ball played in front then Lavin would have won it. If it was a long ball played in behind then it would have been flighted long enough for Colgan to come out and punch away. The only way a goal could be scored there was with that extremely lucky miskick that turned into a swerving knuckleball-style kick. And that's in no way to defend the performance of the full back line in the game as they were bad. Part of this is no pressure on the ball going in too but still Gallagher, McGill, Lavin was really good in 2019 and we just haven't gotten near that performance level since, but in the particular instance of the goal that was as much bad luck as bad corner back play

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1458 - 17/06/2021 22:21:30    2351753

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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99:  "
Replying To MillerX:  ""Lavin could be assigned to full back" you must really be joking or have recently arrived on this planet!!!!
How anybody could suggest the Lavin would make a fullback after the concession of Kildare's goal last Sunday is away with the fairies."
You're being extremely harsh there I feel. Lavin and McGill haven't lived up to their 2019 form and it's one of our biggest reasons for overall regression this year. But in that instance, it was a complete fluke. It was a mishit shot that torpedoed into Hyland's hands. If it was a ball played in front then Lavin would have won it. If it was a long ball played in behind then it would have been flighted long enough for Colgan to come out and punch away. The only way a goal could be scored there was with that extremely lucky miskick that turned into a swerving knuckleball-style kick. And that's in no way to defend the performance of the full back line in the game as they were bad. Part of this is no pressure on the ball going in too but still Gallagher, McGill, Lavin was really good in 2019 and we just haven't gotten near that performance level since, but in the particular instance of the goal that was as much bad luck as bad corner back play"
Bad defending end of. Not a hope of him making a reliable fullback. But then I really don't understand the pecking order in the senior setup anymore, hope is fading rapidly and I hear there is a bigger bombshell about to drop. We are an absolute basket case.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1063 - 18/06/2021 22:35:43    2351934

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