Meath Forum

Moving On!

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Well to move on from the weekend.

Next up - Dublin in Navan. I'm sure I'll get slated for suggesting this, but with a good performance we could take something out of this game! Dublin are certainly not anywhere near what they were a few years back - and look very reliant on Kilkenny and Fenton. Kilkenny kept them in the game with Derry at the weekend!

After that it is down to Kildare - and who knows how this will go! Kildare seem to be in a bigger mess this year - and I suppose it is possible that Limerick could beat them in their next outing. Personally, I think they will beat Limerick and they will be fighting for division 2 status and an All Ireland place for the last round! Clare have a better scoring count and have Limerick last - so even if they lose to Derry next outing they can avoid relegation if Kildare lose to Meath!!

I fancy Meath to beat Kildare - they are conceding goals and scoring goals appears to be what Meath can do at the moment!

On the qualification for SAM:

In Munster - Clare are on the same side of the Munster draw as Cork and I don't think they will beat Cork! If they do though, they are likely to make the Munster Final and get a place in the All Ireland. Cork will also qualify by virtue of their place in the League. - So potentially 3 teams from Munster are automatic into Sam!

In Connaught - Galway, Mayo and Roscommon all qualify by virtue of their league position. One of Sligo, Leitrim, London or New York will also qualify by getting to Connaught final. So 4 teams from Connaught.

In Ulster - Armagh, Tyrone, Monaghan, Donegal, Derry, Cavan seem likely to be In All Ireland based on league standings. (Do all Division 1 teams get straight into SAM?) So 6 teams from Ulster

In Leinster - Dublin and Louth look likely to qualify based on league position while Westmeath are guaranteed based on winning TC last year. So 3 from Leinster. Obviously, if the Leinster Championship throws up a surprise winner or finalist then that changes the picture too! (We are on the same side of the Leinster as Longford/Offaly/Westmeath/Louth)

I make that 16 teams (15 really if Clare don't beat Cork).


So - I think a strong finish in the league is really important and hopefully a run to a Leinster final!!

Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 473 - 06/03/2023 13:39:04    2462275

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Replying To Royalblufill:  "Well to move on from the weekend.

Next up - Dublin in Navan. I'm sure I'll get slated for suggesting this, but with a good performance we could take something out of this game! Dublin are certainly not anywhere near what they were a few years back - and look very reliant on Kilkenny and Fenton. Kilkenny kept them in the game with Derry at the weekend!

After that it is down to Kildare - and who knows how this will go! Kildare seem to be in a bigger mess this year - and I suppose it is possible that Limerick could beat them in their next outing. Personally, I think they will beat Limerick and they will be fighting for division 2 status and an All Ireland place for the last round! Clare have a better scoring count and have Limerick last - so even if they lose to Derry next outing they can avoid relegation if Kildare lose to Meath!!

I fancy Meath to beat Kildare - they are conceding goals and scoring goals appears to be what Meath can do at the moment!

On the qualification for SAM:

In Munster - Clare are on the same side of the Munster draw as Cork and I don't think they will beat Cork! If they do though, they are likely to make the Munster Final and get a place in the All Ireland. Cork will also qualify by virtue of their place in the League. - So potentially 3 teams from Munster are automatic into Sam!

In Connaught - Galway, Mayo and Roscommon all qualify by virtue of their league position. One of Sligo, Leitrim, London or New York will also qualify by getting to Connaught final. So 4 teams from Connaught.

In Ulster - Armagh, Tyrone, Monaghan, Donegal, Derry, Cavan seem likely to be In All Ireland based on league standings. (Do all Division 1 teams get straight into SAM?) So 6 teams from Ulster

In Leinster - Dublin and Louth look likely to qualify based on league position while Westmeath are guaranteed based on winning TC last year. So 3 from Leinster. Obviously, if the Leinster Championship throws up a surprise winner or finalist then that changes the picture too! (We are on the same side of the Leinster as Longford/Offaly/Westmeath/Louth)

I make that 16 teams (15 really if Clare don't beat Cork).


So - I think a strong finish in the league is really important and hopefully a run to a Leinster final!!"
How do Cavan qualify for SAM ? They are in Division 3.

kingofclubs (Meath) - Posts: 321 - 06/03/2023 14:07:59    2462298

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Replying To kingofclubs:  "How do Cavan qualify for SAM ? They are in Division 3."
Do the Division 3 winners not qualify? Perhaps I misread that or more likely misunderstood it!

Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 473 - 06/03/2023 15:06:36    2462335

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Replying To Royalblufill:  "Do the Division 3 winners not qualify? Perhaps I misread that or more likely misunderstood it!"
Div 3 top two still need to get to provincial final to qualify.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2141 - 06/03/2023 15:48:37    2462358

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Replying To seadog54:  "Div 3 top two still need to get to provincial final to qualify."
Are you sure?

I thought getting to a provincial final, irregardless of league standing, put you in all ireland qualifying round, and likewise, finish 1 or 2 in div 3 put you in all irrland, no matter where you got knocked out of your provincial competition.

That was my understanding of it

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6342 - 06/03/2023 19:21:35    2462418

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Replying To Jinxie:  "Are you sure?

I thought getting to a provincial final, irregardless of league standing, put you in all ireland qualifying round, and likewise, finish 1 or 2 in div 3 put you in all irrland, no matter where you got knocked out of your provincial competition.

That was my understanding of it"
No, topping division 3 doesn't guarantee anything. Sam Maguire will consist of 8 provincial finalists + the next 7 by league standings + Westmeath.

If Cavan win the division 3 final, they'll be 15th by league rankings (Div. 3 winners are counted as though they came 7th in Div 2.) The only way 15th gets into Sam is if nobody from Div. 3 or 4 reaches a provincial final.

In most years this would be a likely enough bet, but the Connacht draw this year ensures one of London, Leitrim or Sligo will be in the Connacht final, and in Sam Maguire.

This means that even if the remaining 7 provincial finalists were from Div. 1 and 2, the lowest team who'd qualify for Sam Maguire is 14th in the league, so 6th in Div. 2.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1643 - 07/03/2023 10:40:50    2462478

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Replying To Jinxie:  "Are you sure?

I thought getting to a provincial final, irregardless of league standing, put you in all ireland qualifying round, and likewise, finish 1 or 2 in div 3 put you in all irrland, no matter where you got knocked out of your provincial competition.

That was my understanding of it"
My understanding is Div 3 promoted teams have to make final to get their place. Open to correction, however it would seem very unfair if 5 and 6 in Div two would loose their place to teams that finished below them.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2141 - 07/03/2023 11:42:23    2462497

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After looking at the draws, Cavan could still get into Sam without reaching the Ulster final.

If Cavan won the Div. 3 final and Westmeath reached the Leinster final, then the 15th team in the league would get into Sam (assuming no Div. 3 or 4 teams reach their provincial finals other than in Connacht).

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1643 - 07/03/2023 11:53:57    2462500

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Decided to keep my opinions on the McGill issue to myself until we had results under the belt. I don't know what happened but what I do know is he should be playing for Meath, he's been the best fullback at club level over the last 5 years. McGill is 29, he's in his prime. At the start of the season fullback was a position we had no worries about but now we do and it's not because Flood has been poor but more the level that McGill was at.

Given how results have gone and the scores teams have put up against us, we are missing him even if it is from an experience and organisational side of things. It can be as simple as to where we set the defensive line. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, usually team will set a screen on the edge of the D, 45, 55 or 65 and protect the scoring zone but also space so the ball can't be kicked in. Where you set up is usually called by the more experienced player in this case it would be McGill as the fullback and he has the ability to see everything in front of him. If you have enough bodies back you might set the screen between the 45 and 65 but if you don't then you protect the scoring zone which is the D, so the main priority is to stop runners getting goals but also make it difficult for easy points from around the D.
What is happening at the moment, our defensive screen is set too far out which means ball can be kicked into space for inside forwards and runners coming off the shoulder. This is probably down to two factors, inexperienced fullback line or someone in the half back line making the call and they can't see the danger in behind.
It's been a whole new fullback line this year, a big step up for them all and they have had to do it by themselves without having that experienced head next to them.

This wouldn't happen in Kerry, they make sure they have their best players playing for the county, Morley is coming down from Dublin, same with Shane Walsh in Galway. Dublin have bent over backwards for Mick Fitz and McCaffery who are both doctors, they aren't able to make every session but they make sure there is allowances to have the best players available.

If the issue was fitness then O Rourke should have made an exception, gave him targets to hit by round 5 of the league. Most teams are doing Broncos at the minute, if his bronco hadn't improved by 10 seconds then I would question McGill as to why but at least give him a pass until it is no longer possible.

Now if it was attitude or discipline then it is a different conversation or more a case of it needs to change or not happen again or we are dropping you from the panel.

It also brings up the question of did Andy have any of these issues with McGill and if not why are they coming up now and if he did how did he handle it and get the best out of him

If this happened with a fringe player then I would be more accepting but this is a seasoned player for Meath the last 7 years, all star nomination, one of the best fullbacks in Meath the last 10 years.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 355 - 07/03/2023 15:48:59    2462576

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Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "Decided to keep my opinions on the McGill issue to myself until we had results under the belt. I don't know what happened but what I do know is he should be playing for Meath, he's been the best fullback at club level over the last 5 years. McGill is 29, he's in his prime. At the start of the season fullback was a position we had no worries about but now we do and it's not because Flood has been poor but more the level that McGill was at.

Given how results have gone and the scores teams have put up against us, we are missing him even if it is from an experience and organisational side of things. It can be as simple as to where we set the defensive line. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, usually team will set a screen on the edge of the D, 45, 55 or 65 and protect the scoring zone but also space so the ball can't be kicked in. Where you set up is usually called by the more experienced player in this case it would be McGill as the fullback and he has the ability to see everything in front of him. If you have enough bodies back you might set the screen between the 45 and 65 but if you don't then you protect the scoring zone which is the D, so the main priority is to stop runners getting goals but also make it difficult for easy points from around the D.
What is happening at the moment, our defensive screen is set too far out which means ball can be kicked into space for inside forwards and runners coming off the shoulder. This is probably down to two factors, inexperienced fullback line or someone in the half back line making the call and they can't see the danger in behind.
It's been a whole new fullback line this year, a big step up for them all and they have had to do it by themselves without having that experienced head next to them.

This wouldn't happen in Kerry, they make sure they have their best players playing for the county, Morley is coming down from Dublin, same with Shane Walsh in Galway. Dublin have bent over backwards for Mick Fitz and McCaffery who are both doctors, they aren't able to make every session but they make sure there is allowances to have the best players available.

If the issue was fitness then O Rourke should have made an exception, gave him targets to hit by round 5 of the league. Most teams are doing Broncos at the minute, if his bronco hadn't improved by 10 seconds then I would question McGill as to why but at least give him a pass until it is no longer possible.

Now if it was attitude or discipline then it is a different conversation or more a case of it needs to change or not happen again or we are dropping you from the panel.

It also brings up the question of did Andy have any of these issues with McGill and if not why are they coming up now and if he did how did he handle it and get the best out of him

If this happened with a fringe player then I would be more accepting but this is a seasoned player for Meath the last 7 years, all star nomination, one of the best fullbacks in Meath the last 10 years."
You raise a lot of valid questions and it truth few know exactly what happened with McGill, what is known is that it starrted as a fitness issue, time was given but the level/commitment was still not reached and he was released from panel. Being voted best full back at senior level in Meath holds little water when we consider the standard of Meath forwards at the moment. What organisational skills did he bring to the team over last few years? We got men behind the ball but were still cut to peices. We now seem commited to a much higher press that will require a high level of fitness, its in its early days yet and requires a more pragmatic approach at times, but we have four new backs and will require time. Most of our problems are not in full back line but further out the field, modern teams defend as a unit, this is not a one man fix. Did MacEntee have problems with McGill, he sure did but choose to ignore for whatever reason, there are lots of examples not even taking the Dublin hammerings into account. Under no circumstance should an exception be made for any player, especiall a senior one, who is not willing to put in required effort. A player of such experience should be one rest of team look up to, a leader willing to give his all when needed most. It must have been difficult for him to return and find his place takem by a player from a junio club, however thats what seperates the good club player from a good intercounty player, the desire to get better, park the ego and put in effort to win your place back. Forget about questioning COR, ask why McGill was the only panel member with a problem.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2141 - 07/03/2023 17:02:48    2462599

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I think as the heading suggests, it's time to move on from McGill, we weren't exactly winning every game with him. Physically he's a good player but with the game we're playing, being a bit open defensively, we need tight man marker sort of players

NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 26 - 07/03/2023 18:12:01    2462622

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Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "Decided to keep my opinions on the McGill issue to myself until we had results under the belt. I don't know what happened but what I do know is he should be playing for Meath, he's been the best fullback at club level over the last 5 years. McGill is 29, he's in his prime. At the start of the season fullback was a position we had no worries about but now we do and it's not because Flood has been poor but more the level that McGill was at.

Given how results have gone and the scores teams have put up against us, we are missing him even if it is from an experience and organisational side of things. It can be as simple as to where we set the defensive line. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, usually team will set a screen on the edge of the D, 45, 55 or 65 and protect the scoring zone but also space so the ball can't be kicked in. Where you set up is usually called by the more experienced player in this case it would be McGill as the fullback and he has the ability to see everything in front of him. If you have enough bodies back you might set the screen between the 45 and 65 but if you don't then you protect the scoring zone which is the D, so the main priority is to stop runners getting goals but also make it difficult for easy points from around the D.
What is happening at the moment, our defensive screen is set too far out which means ball can be kicked into space for inside forwards and runners coming off the shoulder. This is probably down to two factors, inexperienced fullback line or someone in the half back line making the call and they can't see the danger in behind.
It's been a whole new fullback line this year, a big step up for them all and they have had to do it by themselves without having that experienced head next to them.

This wouldn't happen in Kerry, they make sure they have their best players playing for the county, Morley is coming down from Dublin, same with Shane Walsh in Galway. Dublin have bent over backwards for Mick Fitz and McCaffery who are both doctors, they aren't able to make every session but they make sure there is allowances to have the best players available.

If the issue was fitness then O Rourke should have made an exception, gave him targets to hit by round 5 of the league. Most teams are doing Broncos at the minute, if his bronco hadn't improved by 10 seconds then I would question McGill as to why but at least give him a pass until it is no longer possible.

Now if it was attitude or discipline then it is a different conversation or more a case of it needs to change or not happen again or we are dropping you from the panel.

It also brings up the question of did Andy have any of these issues with McGill and if not why are they coming up now and if he did how did he handle it and get the best out of him

If this happened with a fringe player then I would be more accepting but this is a seasoned player for Meath the last 7 years, all star nomination, one of the best fullbacks in Meath the last 10 years."
McGill was a good player for Meath and undoubtably is talented enough to be Meath number 3 for a few more years. I'm led to believe (like many others have stated) that McGill was dropped from the panel as he had not reached the required level of fitness that had been set by management.
I am not of the belief that Colm O'Rourke is the messiah and he can do no wrong, but on the McGill situation i believe he was 100% correct and had little or no option but to drop him. If management set a standard and proceed to not enforce these standards then they are undermining themselves from day one. There are countless examples of talented players been dropped from GAA or soccer teams as a result of not alligning with what managements expect. This is done for the good of the team and the culture of the squad. How could O'Rourke or any management team try and raise standards or professionalism of the squad while turning a blind eye to the fitness requirements of a big name player. I think this was an early test for the management, and one which they certainly passed.

Meathmaverick (Meath) - Posts: 106 - 07/03/2023 18:23:33    2462624

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Lads, there isn't even a debate. McGill is best full back in Meath and should be playing (if he's interested which I understand he is). This talk of him not being that good is rubbish and is mostly anti-Ratoath stuff in my opinion. McMahon should also be on the panel btw speaking of Ratoath - he's a better footballer than many of players there and has experience and a good attitude.

Generally we've poor quality to pick from (if trying to get to d1 standard) but leaving likes of McGill out is nonsense- we can't afford it. Can't imagine the heir to full back for the next 10 years (also a Ratoath player) is too impressed.

Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1318 - 07/03/2023 19:55:09    2462641

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Change up the personel in the defence, there is 35 in the squad, seem to be sticking to same players every week. It's not working, rejig the defence. conceding way to many scores, changing it up for a game wouldn't do much harm to see if it works.

Highking87 (Meath) - Posts: 1 - 07/03/2023 20:39:49    2462644

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Replying To seadog54:  "You raise a lot of valid questions and it truth few know exactly what happened with McGill, what is known is that it starrted as a fitness issue, time was given but the level/commitment was still not reached and he was released from panel. Being voted best full back at senior level in Meath holds little water when we consider the standard of Meath forwards at the moment. What organisational skills did he bring to the team over last few years? We got men behind the ball but were still cut to peices. We now seem commited to a much higher press that will require a high level of fitness, its in its early days yet and requires a more pragmatic approach at times, but we have four new backs and will require time. Most of our problems are not in full back line but further out the field, modern teams defend as a unit, this is not a one man fix. Did MacEntee have problems with McGill, he sure did but choose to ignore for whatever reason, there are lots of examples not even taking the Dublin hammerings into account. Under no circumstance should an exception be made for any player, especiall a senior one, who is not willing to put in required effort. A player of such experience should be one rest of team look up to, a leader willing to give his all when needed most. It must have been difficult for him to return and find his place takem by a player from a junio club, however thats what seperates the good club player from a good intercounty player, the desire to get better, park the ego and put in effort to win your place back. Forget about questioning COR, ask why McGill was the only panel member with a problem."
What a load of rubbish once again. You start by saying 'few know exactly what happened' and then go on to say that McEntee had issues with him (which is a 100% lie and a joke of a comment to make about a manager who gave 6 years of his life to the team and a player whos been in the county teams since Minor). In each of the 'Dublin Hammerings' McGill was one of few players to win his individual battle on most (not all) occasions, but as you said, when the issues with the squad are further out the pitch he can hardly be expected to stop everything. McGill had a 12 month season last year between club and county, O Rourke wanted him back in with county 1 week after the Downs game (Some advocate for player Welfare) and McGill said he needed a break and would be back in January which O Rourke took issue with. Obviously coming back in January he would be slightly behind the rest of the squad but he is no less fit than those playing at the minute and I know that for a fact!!
And finally, exceptions are made by every smart county manager and team for players whoc had been on the go for 12 months, just look at the Cliffords with Kerry this year and Walsh with Galway, lads need a break and if O Rourke couldn't see that then we have a massive issue.

ratlag (Meath) - Posts: 557 - 08/03/2023 08:39:28    2462657

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Replying To CastleBravo:  "After looking at the draws, Cavan could still get into Sam without reaching the Ulster final.

If Cavan won the Div. 3 final and Westmeath reached the Leinster final, then the 15th team in the league would get into Sam (assuming no Div. 3 or 4 teams reach their provincial finals other than in Connacht)."
Don't think Cavan make ulster final they'd have to beat Armagh who will beat Antrim and then either Donegal or down
If they do pull it off if and when Kildare beat Meath then it's tailteann cup for the royals and similarly if limerick or Clare beat cork and make Munster final then it all that happens Meath and Kildare will be tailteann bound and deserving so on results so far

numberedjerseys (USA) - Posts: 348 - 08/03/2023 08:51:51    2462660

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I enjoyed reading the posts in this thread, and think it's in the spirit of where Meath need to go to progress. If I was to weigh in on the McGill question (and I admit to knowing absolutely nothing about the circumstances of his absence from the panel), I would say that as a player he was immense when Meath had a season and a half of real success (bar the Leinster finals) a few years back. For me he was one of the first names on the teamsheet. The team was flying fit then, and were playing the McEntee gameplan when it was fresh and innovative, and ultimately the players looked and played confidently. I think though, fitness and conditioning in 2019/20 was the driving force and I would imagine motivation was high. I think since then Meath as a panel
have declined on a slow rate, maybe only a percentage or two per year, but thats all it takes to drop from the top 8/10 in Ireland to the teen ranked sides. It seems with that decline a few players notably lost their form and McGill was one of them. Other factors may be there, and probably are, personal issues etc, but from the point of view of a match viewer thats all I can point to.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 587 - 08/03/2023 09:38:41    2462665

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Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "Decided to keep my opinions on the McGill issue to myself until we had results under the belt. I don't know what happened but what I do know is he should be playing for Meath, he's been the best fullback at club level over the last 5 years. McGill is 29, he's in his prime. At the start of the season fullback was a position we had no worries about but now we do and it's not because Flood has been poor but more the level that McGill was at.

Given how results have gone and the scores teams have put up against us, we are missing him even if it is from an experience and organisational side of things. It can be as simple as to where we set the defensive line. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, usually team will set a screen on the edge of the D, 45, 55 or 65 and protect the scoring zone but also space so the ball can't be kicked in. Where you set up is usually called by the more experienced player in this case it would be McGill as the fullback and he has the ability to see everything in front of him. If you have enough bodies back you might set the screen between the 45 and 65 but if you don't then you protect the scoring zone which is the D, so the main priority is to stop runners getting goals but also make it difficult for easy points from around the D.
What is happening at the moment, our defensive screen is set too far out which means ball can be kicked into space for inside forwards and runners coming off the shoulder. This is probably down to two factors, inexperienced fullback line or someone in the half back line making the call and they can't see the danger in behind.
It's been a whole new fullback line this year, a big step up for them all and they have had to do it by themselves without having that experienced head next to them.

This wouldn't happen in Kerry, they make sure they have their best players playing for the county, Morley is coming down from Dublin, same with Shane Walsh in Galway. Dublin have bent over backwards for Mick Fitz and McCaffery who are both doctors, they aren't able to make every session but they make sure there is allowances to have the best players available.

If the issue was fitness then O Rourke should have made an exception, gave him targets to hit by round 5 of the league. Most teams are doing Broncos at the minute, if his bronco hadn't improved by 10 seconds then I would question McGill as to why but at least give him a pass until it is no longer possible.

Now if it was attitude or discipline then it is a different conversation or more a case of it needs to change or not happen again or we are dropping you from the panel.

It also brings up the question of did Andy have any of these issues with McGill and if not why are they coming up now and if he did how did he handle it and get the best out of him

If this happened with a fringe player then I would be more accepting but this is a seasoned player for Meath the last 7 years, all star nomination, one of the best fullbacks in Meath the last 10 years."
100%

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 08/03/2023 09:38:47    2462666

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Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "Decided to keep my opinions on the McGill issue to myself until we had results under the belt. I don't know what happened but what I do know is he should be playing for Meath, he's been the best fullback at club level over the last 5 years. McGill is 29, he's in his prime. At the start of the season fullback was a position we had no worries about but now we do and it's not because Flood has been poor but more the level that McGill was at.

Given how results have gone and the scores teams have put up against us, we are missing him even if it is from an experience and organisational side of things. It can be as simple as to where we set the defensive line. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, usually team will set a screen on the edge of the D, 45, 55 or 65 and protect the scoring zone but also space so the ball can't be kicked in. Where you set up is usually called by the more experienced player in this case it would be McGill as the fullback and he has the ability to see everything in front of him. If you have enough bodies back you might set the screen between the 45 and 65 but if you don't then you protect the scoring zone which is the D, so the main priority is to stop runners getting goals but also make it difficult for easy points from around the D.
What is happening at the moment, our defensive screen is set too far out which means ball can be kicked into space for inside forwards and runners coming off the shoulder. This is probably down to two factors, inexperienced fullback line or someone in the half back line making the call and they can't see the danger in behind.
It's been a whole new fullback line this year, a big step up for them all and they have had to do it by themselves without having that experienced head next to them.

This wouldn't happen in Kerry, they make sure they have their best players playing for the county, Morley is coming down from Dublin, same with Shane Walsh in Galway. Dublin have bent over backwards for Mick Fitz and McCaffery who are both doctors, they aren't able to make every session but they make sure there is allowances to have the best players available.

If the issue was fitness then O Rourke should have made an exception, gave him targets to hit by round 5 of the league. Most teams are doing Broncos at the minute, if his bronco hadn't improved by 10 seconds then I would question McGill as to why but at least give him a pass until it is no longer possible.

Now if it was attitude or discipline then it is a different conversation or more a case of it needs to change or not happen again or we are dropping you from the panel.

It also brings up the question of did Andy have any of these issues with McGill and if not why are they coming up now and if he did how did he handle it and get the best out of him

If this happened with a fringe player then I would be more accepting but this is a seasoned player for Meath the last 7 years, all star nomination, one of the best fullbacks in Meath the last 10 years."
"he's been the best fullback at club level over the last 5 years" this is an easy statement to throw out there but Adam O'Neill has played a lot of games full back for the tones since 2021 and for me is a far better player. Was huge in 2021 when they won Keegan. I doubt it will be long until he takes the full back spot for meath, he has all the attributes you would want a full back to have.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 142 - 08/03/2023 09:42:50    2462667

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Replying To ratlag:  "What a load of rubbish once again. You start by saying 'few know exactly what happened' and then go on to say that McEntee had issues with him (which is a 100% lie and a joke of a comment to make about a manager who gave 6 years of his life to the team and a player whos been in the county teams since Minor). In each of the 'Dublin Hammerings' McGill was one of few players to win his individual battle on most (not all) occasions, but as you said, when the issues with the squad are further out the pitch he can hardly be expected to stop everything. McGill had a 12 month season last year between club and county, O Rourke wanted him back in with county 1 week after the Downs game (Some advocate for player Welfare) and McGill said he needed a break and would be back in January which O Rourke took issue with. Obviously coming back in January he would be slightly behind the rest of the squad but he is no less fit than those playing at the minute and I know that for a fact!!
And finally, exceptions are made by every smart county manager and team for players whoc had been on the go for 12 months, just look at the Cliffords with Kerry this year and Walsh with Galway, lads need a break and if O Rourke couldn't see that then we have a massive issue."
Had a laugh at that too. No one knows what's going on. Then goes on to say it's fitness. Which by everyone close to rathoath I have spoken to is a downright lie. His fitness is fine. It was a clash of personalities. Now whether or not you agree with Colm or Connor, is up to individual. But don't spread lies about a lad, that's just bad form. Also mcentee had no problem with McGill.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 08/03/2023 09:58:04    2462670

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