Meath Forum

Progression of our team these last few years

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Have not went forward as far as people wanted when appointed but definitely improved on what went before. Fitness has improved hugely and the the team play to the end of the match. Maybe it will be time for change at the end of season but we should hold off on this discussion until our season is over.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1400 - 14/06/2021 18:41:16    2350901

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He took on a job that was no easy task and he has brought a marked improvement in fitness and conditioning, getting us to Division 1 for the first time in 14 years was an achievement as was getting to the Super 8's but we appear to have flatlined this year, I know it hasn't been an easy year for anyone but the lack of intensity in the game yesterday for long periods was most disappointing, this was our big game where a goal could be achieved, a swift return to Division 1 would have had most supporters happy with the year but we fell down horrendously performance wise, in fairness from what I've heard he acknowledged that and I don't mind him bringing up the alleged spitting incident at all, if that act was carried out it's a disgrace and there is no place for it, I don't blame McGill for reacting the way he did if that happened. I agree that McEntee has shown loyalty to some players I honestly don't believe are up to being on the starting 15, there were 3 men on the bench I believed should have started yesterday on form shown, I was also annoyed with the team selection v Mayo, go out to win every game, we aren't in a position to adopt such an attitude to games as we showed v Mayo and now from what looked like a promising position we go into the championship on the back of a hiding from Mayo and a wretched performance v Kildare, therefore I believe that warrants questions being asked, I have nothing but admiration for Andy, as true, hardworking and as dedicated a Meath man as you will see but I have found myself disagreeing with his decisions in recent weeks, we were so flat for so long yesterday it was hard to believe e we were playing in a game where something was at stake, unless a Lazarus type miracle occurs in the championship he may well need to examine where he is going, and I hate saying that but we appear to have stalled badly.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3743 - 14/06/2021 20:32:54    2350944

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "Have not went forward as far as people wanted when appointed but definitely improved on what went before. Fitness has improved hugely and the the team play to the end of the match. Maybe it will be time for change at the end of season but we should hold off on this discussion until our season is over."
I agree with this summary.

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 225 - 14/06/2021 21:42:45    2350970

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I am by no means Andy Mcs biggest fan, but i am torn on whether he needs to go or not.
like everyone else I was disgusted by what i watched on sunday. such a gutless, meek and casual meath performance and attitude on there biggest match of the season was hard to understand. We will never get an easier route back to Div 1, it will be a tougher route than Westmeath, Down and kildare in future.

A lot was made over our promotion 'back' to division 1 two seasons ago. I always felt that was overplayed, a number of counties have had a year or 2 in div 1 over the last 5 years that hasnt really stood to them or made them in to a top level or top 6 team. Cavan, Kildare and Down have been Div 1 in last 5 years and havent made any giant strides in that time (fluke ulster last year aside for cavan) the real importance is cementing your place there a la monaghan or making yourself a regular there like Roscommon . Now we may get there next year but i wouldnt be confident.

Under Andy fitness and strength and conditioning seems to have improved. We also seem to beat the weaker counties we would expect to beat (longford 18 aside) regularly.

However Andy and management have failed on a number of levels.
our GK, kickout issues and lack of free taker has been stressed to death on this forum, to think were no closer to solving it this far into managements tenure is criminal and a serious dereliction of duties by Andy and co. without your own kickouts and a high percentage free taker we are going nowhere.
As was also stated some players seem to have regressed, while others seem to be automatic starters whilst doing very little by way of performance to suggest they deserve their spot.
Performances like sunday unfortunately are not a first under this management team. Obviously we cannot expect to beat dublin, but our last 2 leinster final dislplays alongside sundays were as weak and insipid displays as we've seen from the much maligned MOD and Banty years. We are a soft team and the lack of fight or nastiness in us is heartbreaking.
The episode with the meath chronicle reporter a few tears back was a disgrace and his post match episodes with referess have often been ugly. A county manager is meant to reflect his team and county.

The big question is though, is there a better alternative out there for Meath manager. im a big believer in only changing manager if your convinced its an upgrade. Bernard Flynn has no managerial experience so giving him senior job would be lunacy. Colm O'Rourke has done a good job with simonstown but i doubt he would be interested at this stage. Perhaps Davy Nelson deserves a crack, but again that not an obvious upgrade. Id imagine with the stadium upgrade/fiasco there wont be funds for an outside manager (although i think one could be needed). I seen Kevin Reilly mentioned on another thread, again hasnt proven anything in management so i'd steer clear of these names and other twitter managers.
I do believe if there is an outstanding candidate that we can get, then Andy should step aside.

Meathmaverick (Meath) - Posts: 106 - 15/06/2021 00:02:47    2351018

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Ordinarily I don't like discussing potential managers while we have one in place, have said that Meath will need to move quickly to make a good appointment if Mc Entee departs at the end of this year.

To Mc Entees credit some aspects such as fitness and strength and conditioning have improved, but the chopping and changing of goalkeepers and free takers has been terrible.

Malachy O' Rourke anyone? Made Monaghan in to a serious competitive team with a limited playing pool.
If Louth could entice Mickey Harte we should be looking for a big name appointment.

Thunderstruck (Meath) - Posts: 469 - 15/06/2021 12:28:27    2351112

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Replying To Thunderstruck:  "Ordinarily I don't like discussing potential managers while we have one in place, have said that Meath will need to move quickly to make a good appointment if Mc Entee departs at the end of this year.

To Mc Entees credit some aspects such as fitness and strength and conditioning have improved, but the chopping and changing of goalkeepers and free takers has been terrible.

Malachy O' Rourke anyone? Made Monaghan in to a serious competitive team with a limited playing pool.
If Louth could entice Mickey Harte we should be looking for a big name appointment."
Malachy O'Rourke isn't a terrible name to be fair.

If Colm O'Rourke could be enticed into it I'd entertain it. I saw someone say well he only does well when he has talented players... Well that's the case with all successful managers... without the players they can't perform miracles.. But would he give up his cushy role on Sunday game for it, i severely doubt it..

Anthony Moyles always has a lot to say so maybe its time he put up or shut up. But you couldn't say he's pulled up tree's at any level.

I mentioned Mick Deegan and Paul Curran yesterday if we're looking outside the county. Could we also talk to Paul Clarke perhaps? Davy Byrne did well with Ratoath and then got the heave ho. I've no knowledge of what happened so I won't say anything more. How about some left field thinking approaching Mick Bohan (Dublin Ladies) or Tom Gray (Dublin U20's)....

Is perrenial contender Paddy Carr worthy of the chance??

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 15/06/2021 12:51:10    2351124

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Replying To brian:  "Malachy O'Rourke isn't a terrible name to be fair.

If Colm O'Rourke could be enticed into it I'd entertain it. I saw someone say well he only does well when he has talented players... Well that's the case with all successful managers... without the players they can't perform miracles.. But would he give up his cushy role on Sunday game for it, i severely doubt it..

Anthony Moyles always has a lot to say so maybe its time he put up or shut up. But you couldn't say he's pulled up tree's at any level.

I mentioned Mick Deegan and Paul Curran yesterday if we're looking outside the county. Could we also talk to Paul Clarke perhaps? Davy Byrne did well with Ratoath and then got the heave ho. I've no knowledge of what happened so I won't say anything more. How about some left field thinking approaching Mick Bohan (Dublin Ladies) or Tom Gray (Dublin U20's)....

Is perrenial contender Paddy Carr worthy of the chance??"
I couldn't hack Paddy Carr in all honesty, Mick Deegan is worthy of consideration at any level of county management here if he was interested, although on reflection I think we are being unfair even discussing this a few weeks ahead of a championship, focus should be on getting the best performances we can out of as many games as we can and support them in that cause, when all is said and done we will see what transpires.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3743 - 15/06/2021 14:03:10    2351143

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Replying To Thunderstruck:  "Ordinarily I don't like discussing potential managers while we have one in place, have said that Meath will need to move quickly to make a good appointment if Mc Entee departs at the end of this year.

To Mc Entees credit some aspects such as fitness and strength and conditioning have improved, but the chopping and changing of goalkeepers and free takers has been terrible.

Malachy O' Rourke anyone? Made Monaghan in to a serious competitive team with a limited playing pool.
If Louth could entice Mickey Harte we should be looking for a big name appointment."
The difference between us and Monaghan now is they have always had Conor McManus, one of the best inside forwards in the game, and have now added Conor McCarthy and Jack McCarron, two absolute out and out shooters. They also have one of the best goalkeepers in the country. We do not have 4 players of that calibre. If we added even just McManus and Beggan into this Meath team I honestly think it would definitely make us a competitive high end Division 1 team, and definitely if we had the other two (McCarthy and McCarron). We have no forwards or Goalkeeper that comes close to any of those players. Jordan Morris is the closest we have but he needs to add a considerable amount of S&C to his frame to really kick on at Senior inter county level. We are an extremely honest team that is getting the most out of itself, but we do not have the quality players like a McManus etc to compete and beat the like of Donegal, Tyrone, Mayo etc. We are a division 2 team and that's our ceiling at the moment until we get top quality inside forwards, a goalkeeper and centre back. Our midfield is pretty strong when Menton and Jones are fit and partnered together. McGill is solid at full back, Lavin was good up until Sunday, Keogan is still a class act but we need him to fill many roles. I would look at him as a centre back from now on, with James McEntee on one wing and possibly Padraig Harnan on the other wing. Our best team in my opinion with everyone fit and available:

1. Andy Colgan (Best of a limited pool)
2. Seamus Lavin
3. Conor McGill
4. Cathal Hickey
5. James McEntee
6. Donal Keogan
7. Padraig Harnan/Fionn Reilly
8. Bryan Menton
9. Ronan Jones
10. Eamon Wallace (has done more in all 4 league games he played in than others who started)
11. Cillian O'Sullivan
12. Matthew Costello
13. Jordan Morris
14. Michael Newman
15. Shane Walsh

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 997 - 15/06/2021 14:17:08    2351149

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Replying To BigJoe14:  "The difference between us and Monaghan now is they have always had Conor McManus, one of the best inside forwards in the game, and have now added Conor McCarthy and Jack McCarron, two absolute out and out shooters. They also have one of the best goalkeepers in the country. We do not have 4 players of that calibre. If we added even just McManus and Beggan into this Meath team I honestly think it would definitely make us a competitive high end Division 1 team, and definitely if we had the other two (McCarthy and McCarron). We have no forwards or Goalkeeper that comes close to any of those players. Jordan Morris is the closest we have but he needs to add a considerable amount of S&C to his frame to really kick on at Senior inter county level. We are an extremely honest team that is getting the most out of itself, but we do not have the quality players like a McManus etc to compete and beat the like of Donegal, Tyrone, Mayo etc. We are a division 2 team and that's our ceiling at the moment until we get top quality inside forwards, a goalkeeper and centre back. Our midfield is pretty strong when Menton and Jones are fit and partnered together. McGill is solid at full back, Lavin was good up until Sunday, Keogan is still a class act but we need him to fill many roles. I would look at him as a centre back from now on, with James McEntee on one wing and possibly Padraig Harnan on the other wing. Our best team in my opinion with everyone fit and available:

1. Andy Colgan (Best of a limited pool)
2. Seamus Lavin
3. Conor McGill
4. Cathal Hickey
5. James McEntee
6. Donal Keogan
7. Padraig Harnan/Fionn Reilly
8. Bryan Menton
9. Ronan Jones
10. Eamon Wallace (has done more in all 4 league games he played in than others who started)
11. Cillian O'Sullivan
12. Matthew Costello
13. Jordan Morris
14. Michael Newman
15. Shane Walsh"
Spot on with that team. I'd have Fionn Reilly ahead of Harnan tbh. I think Thomas O' Reilly, Devine, Campion offer very little in the forwards. Still trying to figure out what Ethan Devine's role in the team is/was. On top of that, I wouldn't have Brian Conlan near the team. Joey Wallace hasn't done a enough to warrant a starting place but a definite to bring on as a sub. Same with Brian McMahon. He's been too inconsistent when starting. A great player to bring on though.
The only head scratcher is young Banty. I think he's quality and good for 2/3 points from play every game. Would love him to start, but It's just difficult to fit all forwards in.

Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 383 - 15/06/2021 14:36:19    2351158

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Give Andy another year enough of all this nonsense talk, pre covid world we were clearly making strides, the man cant catch a break either, Ronan Jones and Shane Walsh easily 2 of our best players break bones before the league even starts. The man bleeds green blood and his passion for Meath to do well is unmatched

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 404 - 15/06/2021 14:37:19    2351159

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Replying To brian:  "Malachy O'Rourke isn't a terrible name to be fair.

If Colm O'Rourke could be enticed into it I'd entertain it. I saw someone say well he only does well when he has talented players... Well that's the case with all successful managers... without the players they can't perform miracles.. But would he give up his cushy role on Sunday game for it, i severely doubt it..

Anthony Moyles always has a lot to say so maybe its time he put up or shut up. But you couldn't say he's pulled up tree's at any level.

I mentioned Mick Deegan and Paul Curran yesterday if we're looking outside the county. Could we also talk to Paul Clarke perhaps? Davy Byrne did well with Ratoath and then got the heave ho. I've no knowledge of what happened so I won't say anything more. How about some left field thinking approaching Mick Bohan (Dublin Ladies) or Tom Gray (Dublin U20's)....

Is perrenial contender Paddy Carr worthy of the chance??"
Mick Bohan is a good shout. Comes across as a very intelligent man and has intercounty experience coaching Clare and even has experience of Meath football having coached St.Pats Stamullen.

Meath10 (Meath) - Posts: 190 - 15/06/2021 15:05:10    2351163

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Replying To brian:  "Malachy O'Rourke isn't a terrible name to be fair.

If Colm O'Rourke could be enticed into it I'd entertain it. I saw someone say well he only does well when he has talented players... Well that's the case with all successful managers... without the players they can't perform miracles.. But would he give up his cushy role on Sunday game for it, i severely doubt it..

Anthony Moyles always has a lot to say so maybe its time he put up or shut up. But you couldn't say he's pulled up tree's at any level.

I mentioned Mick Deegan and Paul Curran yesterday if we're looking outside the county. Could we also talk to Paul Clarke perhaps? Davy Byrne did well with Ratoath and then got the heave ho. I've no knowledge of what happened so I won't say anything more. How about some left field thinking approaching Mick Bohan (Dublin Ladies) or Tom Gray (Dublin U20's)....

Is perrenial contender Paddy Carr worthy of the chance??"
Mick Deegan, Paul Curran, Davey Byrne, Paul Clarke all have Meath connections and would have great experience and expertise. Jason Sherlock has no Meath link but played huge role under Gilroy. Mick Bohan also an interesting shout. We should be looking at bringing in winners… no Stephen Rochford types!

Also Anthony Moyles is definitely NOT the answer.

Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1352 - 15/06/2021 17:07:12    2351205

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Would Cian Ward make a good manager in future?

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1807 - 15/06/2021 17:47:04    2351214

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Replying To redser123:  "Give Andy another year enough of all this nonsense talk, pre covid world we were clearly making strides, the man cant catch a break either, Ronan Jones and Shane Walsh easily 2 of our best players break bones before the league even starts. The man bleeds green blood and his passion for Meath to do well is unmatched"
Are you on the wind up?

What strides did we make pre covid, I remember losing 9 out of ten games to the teams were trying to get closer to. When he had Ronan Jones and Shane walsh were available. I remember beating inferior opposition this year without Ronan Jones and Shane Walsh.

I also bleed green and and have a passion for Meath to do well... like most other posters on here. Does that qualify us to run a county team, i sure as s**t doesn't.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 15/06/2021 17:47:13    2351215

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Replying To Crinigan:  "Mick Deegan, Paul Curran, Davey Byrne, Paul Clarke all have Meath connections and would have great experience and expertise. Jason Sherlock has no Meath link but played huge role under Gilroy. Mick Bohan also an interesting shout. We should be looking at bringing in winners… no Stephen Rochford types!

Also Anthony Moyles is definitely NOT the answer."
No Clue who is the right person or who is not.
Uneasy though with direction that we are initially taking the debate
Pat Gilroy would have had very little support from the ordinary County Board Member , and even lesser still from Supporters. We badly need to look beyond either their coaching career or their Football career. From a distance I can see that Rochford seems to be doing a good job as a number 2 in Donegal, , the word is positive of his input
To rule out any player that played for or coached in the County is wrong....and imo is short sighted & simply wrong ….and is no difference that the assumption that because Andy won a Club all Ireland with Ballyboden that he was the right man for us
For what ist worth, I have huge sympathy for Andy. ...juts wrong manager at wrong time
Anyone in management or a leadership position will tell you that The Environment that an organisation exists in , or its position on its developmental path , or its people vary often dictates who is the best man for the Job
What that means is that Previously "gifted " Coaches in one environment , can be totally out of sync with another
To take that to its extremes for instance...I think Jim gavin would be totally the wrong man for Us at the moment...Jim would be talking double dutch to that dressing room I...and that would neither be his fault or the squads
WE (ie the CB() need to match the manager with the Circumstances...For that reason i'll disrespect no one by ruling anyone out
Ive seen names here by other posters that I have had experience of & I wouldn't personally think that I would share their same view....but for once in our lives lets hope personalities are left at the Entrance to the interview Hal. This bloody county of ours has being ruined by personality clashes for the last 40 years

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 401 - 15/06/2021 18:01:05    2351222

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Replying To brian:  "Are you on the wind up?

What strides did we make pre covid, I remember losing 9 out of ten games to the teams were trying to get closer to. When he had Ronan Jones and Shane walsh were available. I remember beating inferior opposition this year without Ronan Jones and Shane Walsh.

I also bleed green and and have a passion for Meath to do well... like most other posters on here. Does that qualify us to run a county team, i sure as s**t doesn't."
You may bleed green, but do you have a proven successful coaching CV like andy does? Doing unbelievable things with Boden, Meath minors and 1 brilliant year with the meath seniors. Pre Covid we we should have beaten Mayo and donegal in super 8s at least one of them, you cant deny hes been dealt some rotten luck surely? Whether it be Mickey Newmans dodgy Hip, 2 elite prospects heading to AFL clubs, promising young talent breaking bones, I see people blaming Andy for free taking give me a break he cant fix the issues that there is no great free takers in meath bar Mickey Newman

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 404 - 15/06/2021 23:31:19    2351321

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Replying To Borderroyal:  "Passion to do well is unmatched?ya cant just give a man a high profile job on that.
No excuses on goalie freetaker etc.long over due questions and still no answer. 5 years lad thats long time to get team moulded into your image if thats what was his aim.
Fitter yes but thats down to his staff.the nuts and bolts of the team has to be his calls.we'd have to question his back room team here.lots of yes men it seems."
firstly you say No Excuses on goalie? he has tried absolutely everything he must have tried 12 plus keeper in 4 years and none of them worked and he has landed with the best of the bad bunch in Andy Colgan, is the problem Andy here (who has tried absolutely everything) or is the problem we just done have any good goalkeepers in Meath?

Next is Free taker where he has also tried countless people and none of them can deliver apart from Mickey Newman who has dodgy hips, Again I ask is the problem here andy or is the problem we just dont have elite free takers in meath?

I think Andy has been dealt so much rotten luck with injuries and covid etc, I love how nobody gives him credit for bring through young lads like Cathal Hickey, Fionn Reilly, Matt Costello who all look like fabulous young players.

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 404 - 15/06/2021 23:43:01    2351322

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You all seem to be ignoring the fact that the majority of our players are very average. You would swear mcentee has caused a bunch of all stars to regress. He has made loads of mistakes, but I would say they have easily been outweighed by individual errors by players on the pitch. It's hard to believe some of the names yee lads throw out. 6 dublin lads so far???? Do yee honestly think the meath county board will appoint a dub as manager,and frankly as a meath man, I wouldn't either. yee are funny, I'll give you that. Whether you like it Andy is here to stay for the future, you can and will keep complaining, but unless your totally ignorant to how the meath county board operate and how links are to sponsors etc, you may just accept it and try make some possitive suggestions on here, cause I'm sure mcentee always pops into meath forums from time to time to see what you say so that he can use it to better his team the following Sunday, and maybe learn something about management himself.

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 16/06/2021 07:55:35    2351337

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Replying To redser123:  "firstly you say No Excuses on goalie? he has tried absolutely everything he must have tried 12 plus keeper in 4 years and none of them worked and he has landed with the best of the bad bunch in Andy Colgan, is the problem Andy here (who has tried absolutely everything) or is the problem we just done have any good goalkeepers in Meath?

Next is Free taker where he has also tried countless people and none of them can deliver apart from Mickey Newman who has dodgy hips, Again I ask is the problem here andy or is the problem we just dont have elite free takers in meath?

I think Andy has been dealt so much rotten luck with injuries and covid etc, I love how nobody gives him credit for bring through young lads like Cathal Hickey, Fionn Reilly, Matt Costello who all look like fabulous young players."
You have 5 years to stick with and mould a keeper into ur team.not get retired forwards retired 38 yr old keepers on board.i find it hard to believe we dont have a keeper that could be trained up for that length of time.but to see diff lads trying frees week in week out looks amateurish.
All i see here from posters is we are fitter come on thats the easiest part of this plan.i agree on the young players good to see them involved.but to see so many players and turnover of such has to be questioned.where is the problem there.

Borderroyal (Meath) - Posts: 496 - 16/06/2021 10:14:13    2351363

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Every manager eventually needs to move on. When this happens it brings new impetus and hope to the team . With the right man in charge you get a few years of improvement and then it normally becomes stale. This is what has happened with Andy Mc. Its now his natural time to leave office. Did a great job initially but now both him and the team are stale. As the saying goes " insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." I don't believe anyone on this forum believes this years team is better than last years or the year before. We are stale at best going nowhere. A new manager gives hope with different thinking and tactics and Meath football needs this.

Poormouth (Meath) - Posts: 204 - 16/06/2021 10:58:27    2351373

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