Meath Forum

Meath V Down TC Final.

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Replying To BigJoe14:  "Couldn't disagree more. You will find that most club players would be happy for the championship to be pushed back two weeks as it will give them more time to prepare with their county players coming back. Two weeks (only 10 days for some) between the county season finishing and club championships starting is not fair on anyone and should never have been scheduled to start this early. Why are Meath the only county in Ireland starting club championships on the weekend of the All Ireland Football Final? What is the rush? The county players themselves should not be expected to step straight back in without any break at all. When are they supposed to get a break and then when are clubs supposed to be able to prepare properly with their full squads? As usual though, silence and ignorance from the Meath CCC. How difficult would it be just to push things back two weeks on an excel?

Why is every adult competition in Meath played in such a rush? 11 rounds of league matches plus 3/5 cup games all crammed in between February and middle of June is to much with 95% of these games played without county players and on poor pitches in bad weather. Clubs are now even playing League finals without their county players. The cup games need to be done away and the A Leagues need to start a month later, and consider getting rid of league finals and have the team that finished top of the table league winners. Its a called a 'league' for a reason. Leave January, February and March free from Adult club fixtures like what most counties are doing now as pitches are in bits this time of year and their is enough going on with college/school matches/U20 etc that time of year. Start the A and B Leagues (return to B Leagues instead of premier) at the end of March and finish them in July. Then start your club championships the first or second weekend of August. This will allow county players get a bit of a break between the county season finishing and club championship starting and it will also allow players go on J1's without the prospect of missing championship matches. Meath want to improve club football in the county supposedly. Well the way it is being run at the moment, they are doing their best to turn players away from it. The season is far to long and it is no longer realistic to ask a club player to make themselves available from January until October/November anymore. We want to encourage players to play for their clubs, not the opposite."
I agree with pretty much everything you say regarding rushing the competitions and also that championship should be starting later by maybe 2 weeks or minimum 1.

However my point is that this should be done at the start of the year and not now when club players will have planned their lives around the dates that they were given months ago.

Any club player I've spoken to doesn't want the championship pushed back. Haven't spoken to dozens buy near enough 9 or 10 and they all want to get going.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1003 - 30/06/2023 14:01:07    2490850

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Replying To BigJoe14:  "Couldn't disagree more. You will find that most club players would be happy for the championship to be pushed back two weeks as it will give them more time to prepare with their county players coming back. Two weeks (only 10 days for some) between the county season finishing and club championships starting is not fair on anyone and should never have been scheduled to start this early. Why are Meath the only county in Ireland starting club championships on the weekend of the All Ireland Football Final? What is the rush? The county players themselves should not be expected to step straight back in without any break at all. When are they supposed to get a break and then when are clubs supposed to be able to prepare properly with their full squads? As usual though, silence and ignorance from the Meath CCC. How difficult would it be just to push things back two weeks on an excel?

Why is every adult competition in Meath played in such a rush? 11 rounds of league matches plus 3/5 cup games all crammed in between February and middle of June is to much with 95% of these games played without county players and on poor pitches in bad weather. Clubs are now even playing League finals without their county players. The cup games need to be done away and the A Leagues need to start a month later, and consider getting rid of league finals and have the team that finished top of the table league winners. Its a called a 'league' for a reason. Leave January, February and March free from Adult club fixtures like what most counties are doing now as pitches are in bits this time of year and their is enough going on with college/school matches/U20 etc that time of year. Start the A and B Leagues (return to B Leagues instead of premier) at the end of March and finish them in July. Then start your club championships the first or second weekend of August. This will allow county players get a bit of a break between the county season finishing and club championship starting and it will also allow players go on J1's without the prospect of missing championship matches. Meath want to improve club football in the county supposedly. Well the way it is being run at the moment, they are doing their best to turn players away from it. The season is far to long and it is no longer realistic to ask a club player to make themselves available from January until October/November anymore. We want to encourage players to play for their clubs, not the opposite."
Also Meath aren't the only County starting their Club championships that weekend

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1003 - 30/06/2023 14:02:45    2490852

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Replying To Blackspot09:  "I agree with pretty much everything you say regarding rushing the competitions and also that championship should be starting later by maybe 2 weeks or minimum 1.

However my point is that this should be done at the start of the year and not now when club players will have planned their lives around the dates that they were given months ago.

Any club player I've spoken to doesn't want the championship pushed back. Haven't spoken to dozens buy near enough 9 or 10 and they all want to get going."
Spot on. Too late in the day now, teams have been working towards this date since January and holidays have been booked around it. Next year for sure re visit it but as you said, needs to be done before jan

Ed2010 (Meath) - Posts: 109 - 30/06/2023 15:28:02    2490869

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Replying To stillaroyal:  "Ref McGill, I think that after the TC final is out of the way we will be heading into the planning for next year. Colm may change around his backroom staff. At some stage over the next few months an approach should be made to see if we can get McGill back into the fold. If that doesnt work out then draw a line in the sand and move on.

Ref Lavin, whats the situ with him? Injured or away?"
I hope I'm wrong. But can't see McGill returning under cor. Hopefully time has changed his mind and cool heads prevail. As for lavin he's abroad for last few years. But think he is coming back towards end of year. Or may be sooner

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 30/06/2023 21:18:26    2490906

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Well here we are, the minimum expectation at the start of the competition was to get to the final, and while it may be a B grade competition it's where we are right now and we can only beat what's in front of us. It was very pleasing to see a big Meath support against Antrim and I'm sure there will be a lot more interest for the final. Some big improvements needed for the final, mostly in the backs. Our full back line was cleaned out against Antrim. The defensive unit as a whole seemed off it and didn't apply enough pressure to Antrim. We need to get back to the standard of the defensive performance from the last Down game. Some poor decision making from the forwards especially in the last quarter. Calmness and cool heads were needed in that period when Antrim were coming back and it seemed like only Costello was in tune to this. Around the midfield another plus we are building nicely here. Flynn was excellent and Gray very good as well. I wonder what's the story with Jones, hopefully with a few weeks to go he can get back to a starting position.

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2003 - 01/07/2023 09:13:36    2490938

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Which semi will we be paired with ? I'd say Derry Kerry so we will have a nordie atmosphere

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 02/07/2023 20:55:06    2491561

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Hard to comprehend they have fixed Tailteann cup final the same day as Dublins semi which would sell out as a stand alone fixture anyway. There'll be less then 50k at kerry v derry. Total lack of respect for meath and down supporters.

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 03/07/2023 09:02:12    2491644

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Replying To southmeathgael:  "Hard to comprehend they have fixed Tailteann cup final the same day as Dublins semi which would sell out as a stand alone fixture anyway. There'll be less then 50k at kerry v derry. Total lack of respect for meath and down supporters."
Yeah would have expected it the otherwise around myself too.

Be a scramble for tickets for Saturday and upper tiers and hill probably not even needed on Sunday.

Strange call.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 03/07/2023 09:43:54    2491665

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Replying To southmeathgael:  "Hard to comprehend they have fixed Tailteann cup final the same day as Dublins semi which would sell out as a stand alone fixture anyway. There'll be less then 50k at kerry v derry. Total lack of respect for meath and down supporters."
Dublin Monaghan won't sell out. To be honest I doubt the double header will even sell out. 54k at Dublin Galway semi 5 years ago is probably a good reference. Dublin only sell out against Kerry and Mayo these days.

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1523 - 03/07/2023 10:31:33    2491700

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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99:  "Dublin Monaghan won't sell out. To be honest I doubt the double header will even sell out. 54k at Dublin Galway semi 5 years ago is probably a good reference. Dublin only sell out against Kerry and Mayo these days."
Hopefully

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 03/07/2023 11:21:05    2491726

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Dublin Monaghan is not an attractive fixture. How monaghan have got this far is behond believe. They are a million miles off Kerry and Dublin. Dublin Armagh would have been a more attractive fixture. I'd say this double header will attract 60,000 max

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 997 - 03/07/2023 11:44:39    2491744

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Replying To BigJoe14:  "Dublin Monaghan is not an attractive fixture. How monaghan have got this far is behond believe. They are a million miles off Kerry and Dublin. Dublin Armagh would have been a more attractive fixture. I'd say this double header will attract 60,000 max"
Monaghan have tremendous spirit and tenacity, and fight hard for every break, they've good operators all over the field and are well used to hard Ulster football. Plus they have McManus. I agree, theyre at their absolute pinnacle now, and have done very well to get to the Semis, but I feel this is where they hit the wall. I hope Im wrong, Id love to see Monaghan win an All-Ireland more than any other county bar Meath of course.

For Armagh this is however inexcusable in my view. They have the players to be serious challengers, but this style wont deliver for them and we have seen that now for years. They play with fear. Another county I have admiration for but wish they had the "balls to wall" approach of the great 02-05 team.

Very, very hard to look beyond a Dubs/Kerry final. The coffers in Croker are crossing their fingers. Derry will park the bus and bring plenty of fight to Kerry but its all too predictable.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 03/07/2023 12:42:53    2491776

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Can't believe it's the Dublin game we on before.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/07/2023 13:28:51    2491803

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Replying To Young_gael:  "Monaghan have tremendous spirit and tenacity, and fight hard for every break, they've good operators all over the field and are well used to hard Ulster football. Plus they have McManus. I agree, theyre at their absolute pinnacle now, and have done very well to get to the Semis, but I feel this is where they hit the wall. I hope Im wrong, Id love to see Monaghan win an All-Ireland more than any other county bar Meath of course.

For Armagh this is however inexcusable in my view. They have the players to be serious challengers, but this style wont deliver for them and we have seen that now for years. They play with fear. Another county I have admiration for but wish they had the "balls to wall" approach of the great 02-05 team.

Very, very hard to look beyond a Dubs/Kerry final. The coffers in Croker are crossing their fingers. Derry will park the bus and bring plenty of fight to Kerry but its all too predictable."
I agree. Look I'd love Meath to do a Monaghan they really are punching well above their weight and with the exception of macmanus they haven't really any stand out stars. Definitely though he is one of those deserving of an all ire medal. I'll probably stay for the game and see what's happening

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/07/2023 16:17:08    2491900

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Very strange decision to pair us up with Dublin-Monaghan. You'd think Dublin-Monaghan semi final would get 60,000 in its own right. I'd be surprised if Kerry-Derry gets much more than 45,000. Unusual call.

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2003 - 03/07/2023 22:55:10    2492007

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It's a bizarre decision. Monaghan will bring a huge crowd. The dubs swagger is back among their fans. I'd say it will be close to a sell out even if it's 3 quarters empty when our game is on. Get tickets today is my advice

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 04/07/2023 08:40:14    2492023

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Tickets sold out on Ticketmaster

soso (Meath) - Posts: 89 - 04/07/2023 11:10:19    2492078

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Very poor decision by the GAA to just throw the TC final on before a Dublin All Ireland Semi-Final.

They should have played the Meath v Down game as a standalone fixture this weekend, could have thrown the Junior Final in too, at least it guarantees fans who have been going to all the TC games a guaranteed ticket.

I see it's pretty much sold out on Ticketmaster, I know they probably are releasing them in batches and more will be available but very disappointing for some fans who won't get the opportunity to go because of the GAA being greedy.

hyperache (Meath) - Posts: 251 - 04/07/2023 11:46:15    2492096

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Replying To hyperache:  "Very poor decision by the GAA to just throw the TC final on before a Dublin All Ireland Semi-Final.

They should have played the Meath v Down game as a standalone fixture this weekend, could have thrown the Junior Final in too, at least it guarantees fans who have been going to all the TC games a guaranteed ticket.

I see it's pretty much sold out on Ticketmaster, I know they probably are releasing them in batches and more will be available but very disappointing for some fans who won't get the opportunity to go because of the GAA being greedy."
I agree but I think that its the GAA's effort to finish the all Irelands in double quick time that has resulted in this. It would have been great to bring groups of kids to the final but that wont happen now. And wee will have people from Monaghan and Dublin coming into their seats in front of everyone while our game is on.

Could Limerick Galway not have been played in Semple Stadium? Or Kilkenny Clare in the Gaelic Grounds? With the condensed seasons and suitable alternatives being available the playing of semi finals in Croker should not be an automatic.

Then again we had the GAA president dismissing the reports of crowd congestion in the Hogan the last day saying it was an 80,000 stadium. The fact that three quarters of it was not open didn't seem to dawn on him as a factor!

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 225 - 04/07/2023 15:52:35    2492206

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Replying To stillaroyal:  "I agree but I think that its the GAA's effort to finish the all Irelands in double quick time that has resulted in this. It would have been great to bring groups of kids to the final but that wont happen now. And wee will have people from Monaghan and Dublin coming into their seats in front of everyone while our game is on.

Could Limerick Galway not have been played in Semple Stadium? Or Kilkenny Clare in the Gaelic Grounds? With the condensed seasons and suitable alternatives being available the playing of semi finals in Croker should not be an automatic.

Then again we had the GAA president dismissing the reports of crowd congestion in the Hogan the last day saying it was an 80,000 stadium. The fact that three quarters of it was not open didn't seem to dawn on him as a factor!"
I was in a Q at 10 am this morning. Wanted 5 lower hogan said I'd treat the youngest 2 who would be juvenile but I said hopefully we would win and it be great for them to be in hogan to see donal get the cup. After having 2k people in front of me came up that not only lower hogan gone but lower cusack too. And they wanted full price for davin or upper cusack. So I got 3 adult 2 juvenile for davin. Unreal. Also we season ticket holders and it didn't make one bit of difference, it use to.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 04/07/2023 17:38:38    2492236

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