Meath Forum

Meath V Dublin

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A heads up chaps, tickets weren't available online last night but more were released today, I suspect capacity is an issue and being a St Patrick's weekend, a Saturday, Dublin etc etc we van be sure of a bumper crowd so get online or into supervalu and get tickets early is my advice. A day for players to show pride, we need a good Meath crowd there for them.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 06/03/2023 13:52:34    2462287

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Should be a great day and and hopefully a good spectacle.

The Dubs are blowing hot and cold all year also so we need to turn it into a pure dogfight.

If we go toe to toe we will be easily picked off again.

Defend our 45 and play counter attack game.

A few ball carriers across the middle, when the dubs are ran at they don't like it, Clare and cork unlucky not to get something in their games, Derry decided to run at them in the second half and won.

thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1047 - 06/03/2023 14:02:08    2462293

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Replying To thelutch:  "Should be a great day and and hopefully a good spectacle.

The Dubs are blowing hot and cold all year also so we need to turn it into a pure dogfight.

If we go toe to toe we will be easily picked off again.

Defend our 45 and play counter attack game.

A few ball carriers across the middle, when the dubs are ran at they don't like it, Clare and cork unlucky not to get something in their games, Derry decided to run at them in the second half and won."
Hopefully a grrat day out, as Ritchie said get the tickets early. Diblin may be a bit below what we expect of them, but still way ahead of us. We dont have the time to work on an ultra defensive system like Derry in first half against them, they are four years in and have it down to s fine art. Management will have to adapt a much more pragmatic approach to avoid the usuall first half collapse and game out of sight by halftime. Its bad enough leaving CP after a hammering, getting one in our own backyard would be a bitter pill to swollow. Some may see this as free shot, however, I think management will realise its a game that could have a big bearing on rest of season.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2142 - 06/03/2023 16:06:16    2462365

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I know we were bad yesterday but could honestly see this team putting a performance together at the very least against Dublin, especially in PT. The motivation has got to be there for playing our greatest rivals, at home, in front of a full house. And if you look at the evidence, we never really take a hammering in PT no matter who we play. We usually play somewhat better when expectations are lifted a little. But this is where it's at for us - our barometer is Dublin and always has been. Andy McEntee's job was to beat Dublin, couldn't do it, and this is COR's mission now so this is how we are judged. Simple as. Nothing else matters.

NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 26 - 06/03/2023 17:17:00    2462387

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Replying To NYRoyal:  "I know we were bad yesterday but could honestly see this team putting a performance together at the very least against Dublin, especially in PT. The motivation has got to be there for playing our greatest rivals, at home, in front of a full house. And if you look at the evidence, we never really take a hammering in PT no matter who we play. We usually play somewhat better when expectations are lifted a little. But this is where it's at for us - our barometer is Dublin and always has been. Andy McEntee's job was to beat Dublin, couldn't do it, and this is COR's mission now so this is how we are judged. Simple as. Nothing else matters."
Sorry but I reckon that Dublin will be really up for this one and I just hope that we can keep this one respectable.

As a manutd fan I always equated Meath Dublin with Man United versus Liverpool. I have to say that a fear has come over me after the two results yesterday. I really hope that we can keep it to within 4 or 5 points but I fear a Dubs win of 8+.

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 224 - 06/03/2023 17:26:41    2462390

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Replying To stillaroyal:  "Sorry but I reckon that Dublin will be really up for this one and I just hope that we can keep this one respectable.

As a manutd fan I always equated Meath Dublin with Man United versus Liverpool. I have to say that a fear has come over me after the two results yesterday. I really hope that we can keep it to within 4 or 5 points but I fear a Dubs win of 8+."
Meath will be up for it, something wrong if they can't…unlike MU yesterday

Royalman11 (Meath) - Posts: 29 - 06/03/2023 19:02:42    2462414

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Team to start v Dublin 1:Hogan 2 Keoghan 3 Adam o Neil 4 o Higgins 5 Jack o conor 6 flood 7 Hickey 8 Jones 9 Flynn 10 Thomas o Reilly 11 McGowan 12 Costello 13 Morris 14 Walsh 15 Moriarty. I think we need Keoghan back in the fullback line,o neil I believe is good enough for full back (impressed me alot) o higgins in the corner hopefully learned his lesson and kick on.O connor could put him instead of o Reilly probably better suits him in the forward but has done ok in half back.Flood at 6 and tell him to sit and hold the fort and protect the backline (not that he's not playing well at full back but 6 is a problem for us so maybe give him a try)Hickey 7 two lads midfield same as and think o Reilly should get a chance.Macgowan at 11 but let him play as a third midfielder and help out there Costello at 12 just let him roam good on the ball and a good at tracking back and at tackling.Morris and Walsh same as and I think Moriarty deserves a chance thought he has showed very well anytime he's come on.We then have experience to come on in o Sullivan,leinahan,Shane mac, Brian conlanand Scully,Campion,Ryan lynch also as options.I know it wont be the team and I'm sure not many will agree with it but maybe try something a bit different.

Proudroyal (Meath) - Posts: 256 - 06/03/2023 21:10:32    2462438

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Replying To Proudroyal:  "Team to start v Dublin 1:Hogan 2 Keoghan 3 Adam o Neil 4 o Higgins 5 Jack o conor 6 flood 7 Hickey 8 Jones 9 Flynn 10 Thomas o Reilly 11 McGowan 12 Costello 13 Morris 14 Walsh 15 Moriarty. I think we need Keoghan back in the fullback line,o neil I believe is good enough for full back (impressed me alot) o higgins in the corner hopefully learned his lesson and kick on.O connor could put him instead of o Reilly probably better suits him in the forward but has done ok in half back.Flood at 6 and tell him to sit and hold the fort and protect the backline (not that he's not playing well at full back but 6 is a problem for us so maybe give him a try)Hickey 7 two lads midfield same as and think o Reilly should get a chance.Macgowan at 11 but let him play as a third midfielder and help out there Costello at 12 just let him roam good on the ball and a good at tracking back and at tackling.Morris and Walsh same as and I think Moriarty deserves a chance thought he has showed very well anytime he's come on.We then have experience to come on in o Sullivan,leinahan,Shane mac, Brian conlanand Scully,Campion,Ryan lynch also as options.I know it wont be the team and I'm sure not many will agree with it but maybe try something a bit different."
Not a bad mix, fully agree re DK, yes he has been our standout player for many years, however playing him at centre back is doing him or the team no favours. We may be missing Walsh (hamstring again) and Hickey for Dublin game and Campion needs an operation on the injury he picked up. Meath have struggled with entire spine of team for years, when is the last time we had a top class intercounty player in any of these positions, Mickey Newman at fully forward is only one that comes to mind, after him we have to go back a fair while to find one. Centre back? Centre forward? BM did a good job at midfield, great worker but not the best fielder. Full back, opinions differ big time on this one, for me Kevin Reilly.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2142 - 07/03/2023 11:33:26    2462493

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Replying To seadog54:  "Not a bad mix, fully agree re DK, yes he has been our standout player for many years, however playing him at centre back is doing him or the team no favours. We may be missing Walsh (hamstring again) and Hickey for Dublin game and Campion needs an operation on the injury he picked up. Meath have struggled with entire spine of team for years, when is the last time we had a top class intercounty player in any of these positions, Mickey Newman at fully forward is only one that comes to mind, after him we have to go back a fair while to find one. Centre back? Centre forward? BM did a good job at midfield, great worker but not the best fielder. Full back, opinions differ big time on this one, for me Kevin Reilly."
I would say McGill between 2018-2020 was one of the best fullbacks in that period.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 355 - 07/03/2023 11:51:07    2462499

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I am not brimming it with confidence presently. We managed to win the first two matches from below 50% possession and contrived to lose and draw the last two from winning positions and that against the supposedly weakest teams in the division.

Squeaky bum time now……..time now to quote Ciaran Fitzgerald in 1985 against England 'where is your ******* pride lads'. Defining moments between the while lines ahead.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1063 - 07/03/2023 12:46:40    2462517

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If you look at our form though, it's so up and down, consistency is something COR should be working on. Could honestly see us giving Dublin a decent game of it if we've a full PT with players up for it but could see us struggle against Kildare away. It's just what the evidence suggests.

If Walsh is missing for Dublin it's a loss. I know he's been struggling for fitness and epitomizes our lack of consistency but him and Costello look like inter county players with their physical attributes. Moriarty looks decent but he needs some serious S&C work to get to level needed. Like a lot of the new guys coming onto panel. Flood for example looks like he could do a job but needs to get in the gym.

NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 26 - 07/03/2023 17:59:27    2462617

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Replying To NYRoyal:  "If you look at our form though, it's so up and down, consistency is something COR should be working on. Could honestly see us giving Dublin a decent game of it if we've a full PT with players up for it but could see us struggle against Kildare away. It's just what the evidence suggests.

If Walsh is missing for Dublin it's a loss. I know he's been struggling for fitness and epitomizes our lack of consistency but him and Costello look like inter county players with their physical attributes. Moriarty looks decent but he needs some serious S&C work to get to level needed. Like a lot of the new guys coming onto panel. Flood for example looks like he could do a job but needs to get in the gym."
Really is a mixed bag and something Colm says they are constantly working on. Our last decent display against Dublin came in the league so there is a bit of hope allbeit a small one. Spot on, some of the new lads look good but it will take time to get s/c up to required level, Flood has played his football at junior level so its a very big step up, but given time they will bulk up and improvement will follow. Bad news on Walsh another hamstring problem and may require a longer lay off this time. I see Sam Mulroy is out for up to 12 weeks for Louth, also hamstring, hopefully Shane's is not as bad. I have no doubt the team will be up for it, no player will want to leave PT without having giving it their all and in this early stage its all we can ask.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2142 - 08/03/2023 14:06:03    2462768

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rather than squeaky bum time i would have thought its another two games with a free hit? were safe now barring a massive series of unlikely things happening mostly clare beating derry in owenbeg. tailteann cup wouldnt bother me were near enough that level, a good run in it wouuld do this team great.

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 687 - 08/03/2023 14:33:22    2462778

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Replying To dickie10:  "rather than squeaky bum time i would have thought its another two games with a free hit? were safe now barring a massive series of unlikely things happening mostly clare beating derry in owenbeg. tailteann cup wouldnt bother me were near enough that level, a good run in it wouuld do this team great."
Agree, while we would all like to see a good performance and win in either of the final games, the Tailtin cup wouldn't be a bad thing for one year. Build confidence in the team, get a bit of a buzz and feel good factor around Meath football again and then hopefully push on next year

ratlag (Meath) - Posts: 557 - 08/03/2023 16:40:10    2462835

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Replying To dickie10:  "rather than squeaky bum time i would have thought its another two games with a free hit? were safe now barring a massive series of unlikely things happening mostly clare beating derry in owenbeg. tailteann cup wouldnt bother me were near enough that level, a good run in it wouuld do this team great."
Quick question. How many of the players would stay around for tailteann? I know 2 who would head to US straight away. But how many others ? Also would cb accept that as a year one target ? Or would we see another attempt at coup ?

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 08/03/2023 18:44:36    2462869

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Quick question. How many of the players would stay around for tailteann? I know 2 who would head to US straight away. But how many others ? Also would cb accept that as a year one target ? Or would we see another attempt at coup ?"
Anyone that doesn't stick around then shouldn't be on the county team at all, lads should want to win whatever competition they are in, and if Meath end up in the Tailtin Cup then its because they deserve to be there, not because they were unlucky or screwed over.

ratlag (Meath) - Posts: 557 - 09/03/2023 11:38:41    2462938

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Replying To ratlag:  "Anyone that doesn't stick around then shouldn't be on the county team at all, lads should want to win whatever competition they are in, and if Meath end up in the Tailtin Cup then its because they deserve to be there, not because they were unlucky or screwed over."
Agreed absolutely ! In fact i find it hard to actually accept our current status. In some ways we are shipwrecked .We were washed on to the rocks 10/15 years ago .Attemps at a refloat have not produced results so far. I thought Eamon O Brien was the last one to show some flair for the recovery mission.Not sure why that came to an end.! Any player or mentor who wants to desert a ship in trouble should just go ,and close the door behind you. I still applaud Colm O Rourke and his team for having a go on this rescue mission.He is starting from a very low base indeed. Yes i have been critical of the silly stupid mistakes in the last few matches of 2023. I have to remind myself that this particular rescue mission has just begun ,and that i also need more patience. I am satisfied that although i am critical i want COR to suceed rather than fail for the good of football.No other agenda!
I am not too interested in who we might beat or what cup we are playing for. That is irrelevant at this point .The only real objective now is how can we improve on a steady basis . Lets plot how we do that first.and logically lets see where that leaves us. Who plays or doesnt play thats for the management team .They are at training session
and are better placed than any of us. Hard to see much by way of improvement so far but early days. Some green shoots maybe Adam O Neill, Flood, Jones i still believe has the makings of a midfielder. Shane Walsh unlucky with hamstring .I see him as promising.Costello Promising. Some players that may not want to commit fully thats their choice and thats Ok. If you are in the army you wear the boots ! For now all that matters is an attitude that demonstrates we are all about setting and maintaining a culture of continuous improvement in everything we do

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1224 - 09/03/2023 13:13:05    2462964

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Replying To ratlag:  "Anyone that doesn't stick around then shouldn't be on the county team at all, lads should want to win whatever competition they are in, and if Meath end up in the Tailtin Cup then its because they deserve to be there, not because they were unlucky or screwed over."
100% agree. If we end up in the tailteann cup and lads opt out of playing it in for whatever reason then a line should be immediately put through their name for next season.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 870 - 09/03/2023 13:18:37    2462966

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Replying To nobull456:  "Agreed absolutely ! In fact i find it hard to actually accept our current status. In some ways we are shipwrecked .We were washed on to the rocks 10/15 years ago .Attemps at a refloat have not produced results so far. I thought Eamon O Brien was the last one to show some flair for the recovery mission.Not sure why that came to an end.! Any player or mentor who wants to desert a ship in trouble should just go ,and close the door behind you. I still applaud Colm O Rourke and his team for having a go on this rescue mission.He is starting from a very low base indeed. Yes i have been critical of the silly stupid mistakes in the last few matches of 2023. I have to remind myself that this particular rescue mission has just begun ,and that i also need more patience. I am satisfied that although i am critical i want COR to suceed rather than fail for the good of football.No other agenda!
I am not too interested in who we might beat or what cup we are playing for. That is irrelevant at this point .The only real objective now is how can we improve on a steady basis . Lets plot how we do that first.and logically lets see where that leaves us. Who plays or doesnt play thats for the management team .They are at training session
and are better placed than any of us. Hard to see much by way of improvement so far but early days. Some green shoots maybe Adam O Neill, Flood, Jones i still believe has the makings of a midfielder. Shane Walsh unlucky with hamstring .I see him as promising.Costello Promising. Some players that may not want to commit fully thats their choice and thats Ok. If you are in the army you wear the boots ! For now all that matters is an attitude that demonstrates we are all about setting and maintaining a culture of continuous improvement in everything we do"
Well said, like the comparison "if your in the army you wear the boots" sum's it up well. I would expect the issue of players going abroad has been addressed when panel was picked and nobody will just head off on a whim, not fair on other lads or management. Commit fully or leave panel. If we end up in TC, thats where we belong this season. All Ireland series gives us three games and great experience for all involved. Might only get one chance in TC and end of season. Agree, improvement on a steady basis is the way forward and judgement should be reserved at least until end of season two. In his interview in Chronicle podcast and again in written piece on todays paper, he talks frankly about display"s todate, nice and calm, no effort to place blame elsewhare and fully aware of our shortcomings. But still confident improvement will come. Two tough games to come and dont expect any issues with effort and attitude, its the minimum for any team.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2142 - 09/03/2023 14:23:56    2462991

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Replying To ratlag:  "Anyone that doesn't stick around then shouldn't be on the county team at all, lads should want to win whatever competition they are in, and if Meath end up in the Tailtin Cup then its because they deserve to be there, not because they were unlucky or screwed over."
I'm in agreement with you full stop. But you can't tell a lad not to travel. Particularly if things didn't pan out as expected. I mean keoghan has a pretty high intensity job, (now I'd expect him to remain) but you do got to wonder when morale is so low how many would say to hell with this, I've a life to lead.?

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 09/03/2023 15:27:27    2463009

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