Meath Forum

Armagh V Meath. Rd 2.

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Well we can only hope for a reaction to the dismal result v Fermanagh. We are facing a top 8 team a team with genuine ambitions for ulster and indeed all ire (personally I don't think they will get near an all ire) but plenty disagree with me.
We know what we facing. IT's defense first for Armagh. They going to be a lot better at it than what we seen on Saturday. They will hit you at pace and with accuracy. They have the fly keeper which we will probably mirror to see can we combat it. We know what we facing , so we MUST prepare, a win here would put our season back on track. A loss and we can all start to get very nervous. Louth didn't care about them under a new and very inexperienced manager. So now is the time to show improvement. No more excuses.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/01/2024 19:03:44    2522797

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Well we can only hope for a reaction to the dismal result v Fermanagh. We are facing a top 8 team a team with genuine ambitions for ulster and indeed all ire (personally I don't think they will get near an all ire) but plenty disagree with me.
We know what we facing. IT's defense first for Armagh. They going to be a lot better at it than what we seen on Saturday. They will hit you at pace and with accuracy. They have the fly keeper which we will probably mirror to see can we combat it. We know what we facing , so we MUST prepare, a win here would put our season back on track. A loss and we can all start to get very nervous. Louth didn't care about them under a new and very inexperienced manager. So now is the time to show improvement. No more excuses."
I don't think Armagh are any great shakes to be honest - I think the best 8 teams in the country are in Division 1 but I do think Armagh are at the top end of the next tier and certainly are well ahead of Fermanagh so it should be a much stiffer test!

That said, I would expect us to challenge them all over the pitch and to really put it up to them. If we can beat them I think it will be a great sign of improvement but I don't think losing to them will be the end of the year - they will be favourites!

I think the manner we play is going to be the key thing! In my opinion we have a big group of very talented forwards and we also have a strong midfield - I think we need to transition the ball from defense to attack much quicker than we did on Saturday and trust our forwards to take on their men and take on shots at goal! I don't see Armagh as a high scoring team and I think their defense is the strongest part of their game but I am confident we have the players to outscore them!

I hope the team play with some freedom and really have a go! I don't expect too many changes to the team that played on Saturday!

Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 29/01/2024 10:11:29    2522921

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1. Billy Hogan
2. Michael Flood
3. Adam O'Neill
4. Michael Murphy
5. Ciarán Caulfield
6. Donal Keogan
7. Jack O'Connor
8. Ronan Jones
9. Cian McBride
10. Daithí McGowan
11. Matthew Costello
12. Ruari Kinsella
13. Eoghan Frayne
14. Shane Walsh
15. Diarmuid Moriarty

A possible team for Saturday, as a shake up is needed.

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 997 - 29/01/2024 11:34:33    2522947

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Replying To BigJoe14:  "1. Billy Hogan
2. Michael Flood
3. Adam O'Neill
4. Michael Murphy
5. Ciarán Caulfield
6. Donal Keogan
7. Jack O'Connor
8. Ronan Jones
9. Cian McBride
10. Daithí McGowan
11. Matthew Costello
12. Ruari Kinsella
13. Eoghan Frayne
14. Shane Walsh
15. Diarmuid Moriarty

A possible team for Saturday, as a shake up is needed."
Agree with a lot of your changes. Personally I wouldn't drop Jack flynn for cian mcbride and I think campion will get another go at 6 against Armagh.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 181 - 29/01/2024 12:08:46    2522961

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Agree with a lot of your changes. Personally I wouldn't drop Jack flynn for cian mcbride and I think campion will get another go at 6 against Armagh."
Agree with you there - Flynn was outstanding last year and while he was a bit quieter on Saturday I think he did a lot of donkey work! He played a full Sigerson last week - so a little surprised that he wasn't taken off a little earlier, just to rest him, but I think COR recognises the sheer physical strength he brings to middle 3rd of the pitch!
I think Keoghan is a class act but I think we get the best out of him either at wing back or corner back so like you I'd leave him where he is and give Campo another go!

Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 29/01/2024 12:25:08    2522970

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Replying To Royalblufill:  "I don't think Armagh are any great shakes to be honest - I think the best 8 teams in the country are in Division 1 but I do think Armagh are at the top end of the next tier and certainly are well ahead of Fermanagh so it should be a much stiffer test!

That said, I would expect us to challenge them all over the pitch and to really put it up to them. If we can beat them I think it will be a great sign of improvement but I don't think losing to them will be the end of the year - they will be favourites!

I think the manner we play is going to be the key thing! In my opinion we have a big group of very talented forwards and we also have a strong midfield - I think we need to transition the ball from defense to attack much quicker than we did on Saturday and trust our forwards to take on their men and take on shots at goal! I don't see Armagh as a high scoring team and I think their defense is the strongest part of their game but I am confident we have the players to outscore them!

I hope the team play with some freedom and really have a go! I don't expect too many changes to the team that played on Saturday!"
"I don't think Armagh are any great shakes to be honest"
For God's sake drop this arrogance. Granted they struggled against Louth BUT we went down badly to Louth last year. In some people's eyes it was a flash in the pan. No way, we subsequently lost to Offaly and they, Offaly then lost to Louth proof not once but twice that Louth had our number last year and then in your opinion Armagh are "no great shakes". Please respect all opponents.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1080 - 29/01/2024 13:07:40    2522992

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I'll be honest I think Armagh are a manager away from winning ulster and challenging Dublin and kerry. . Their problem is their sideline

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/01/2024 15:16:37    2523030

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Agree with a lot of your changes. Personally I wouldn't drop Jack flynn for cian mcbride and I think campion will get another go at 6 against Armagh."
Last week everyone had Ronan Jones at 6 this week you have Cian McBride. Only off a plane from Australia, hasn't been training and then thrown into a senior squad and game. Intermediate Championship player of the year not getting a look in, Why? Now were saying play him ( McBride) in the middle of the pitch against a top team in our division. If this were to happen then I think we all know where we will end up. he was a great minor but a lot don't make it at senior and just because he is a big man there are no guarantee's. Didn't Cork drop all the way to Div 4 a few years back and I'm afraid we could do the same. it might be a long trip home from Armagh on Saturday.

199710 (Meath) - Posts: 120 - 29/01/2024 15:27:32    2523035

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Replying To MillerX:  ""I don't think Armagh are any great shakes to be honest"
For God's sake drop this arrogance. Granted they struggled against Louth BUT we went down badly to Louth last year. In some people's eyes it was a flash in the pan. No way, we subsequently lost to Offaly and they, Offaly then lost to Louth proof not once but twice that Louth had our number last year and then in your opinion Armagh are "no great shakes". Please respect all opponents."
I agree. Crazy talk. louth were very well organised under Harte last year and looks like they are the same so far under Brennan. A good defensive structure . Armagh will cut through our defensive structure like a hot knife through butter because well lets be honest there is no defensive structure . I fear a bad beating on Saturday.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1003 - 29/01/2024 15:40:49    2523042

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Hopefully see improvement on Saturday but we normally struggle against these type of teams winless after 2 games is never a good sign

9774739191637399 (Meath) - Posts: 18 - 29/01/2024 18:04:16    2523116

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I'll be honest I think Armagh are a manager away from winning ulster and challenging Dublin and kerry. . Their problem is their sideline"
You could say that about a lot of counties, many are of the opinion we would do better with a different manager, I don't believe Armagh are a manager away from winning Ulster or challenging Dublin or Kerry no more than I think we would do any better under a different manager right now and quite frankly I despise such talk after a draw in the first league match of the year despite the dissapointment and frustration of said match.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3743 - 29/01/2024 19:20:03    2523143

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Replying To MillerX:  ""I don't think Armagh are any great shakes to be honest"
For God's sake drop this arrogance. Granted they struggled against Louth BUT we went down badly to Louth last year. In some people's eyes it was a flash in the pan. No way, we subsequently lost to Offaly and they, Offaly then lost to Louth proof not once but twice that Louth had our number last year and then in your opinion Armagh are "no great shakes". Please respect all opponents."
I am not disrespecting Armagh - just some realism!! They are a good side but I just don't see them as a top team! It's not arrogance to say that! They haven't won an Ulster since 2008. The top teams are Dublin, Kerry, Derry and Mayo in my opinion with Monaghan and Tyrone probably next! Roscommon and Galway might be just a step behind again and Armagh probably fit in around there!
I think Armagh are better than us - but I still think if the lads perform we can turn them over! No disrespect and certainly no arrogance but I believe there is more to this Meath side than we saw at the weekend!
Armagh are favourites - no doubt - but can we beat them ? I believe we can! Will we - time will tell!!

Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 29/01/2024 23:04:05    2523200

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Replying To Richieq:  "You could say that about a lot of counties, many are of the opinion we would do better with a different manager, I don't believe Armagh are a manager away from winning Ulster or challenging Dublin or Kerry no more than I think we would do any better under a different manager right now and quite frankly I despise such talk after a draw in the first league match of the year despite the dissapointment and frustration of said match."
I don't rate mcgeeny never have. A fantastic player. But I think as a manager he is not good. Just my opinion mind you.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 30/01/2024 05:44:36    2523214

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Replying To Royalblufill:  "I am not disrespecting Armagh - just some realism!! They are a good side but I just don't see them as a top team! It's not arrogance to say that! They haven't won an Ulster since 2008. The top teams are Dublin, Kerry, Derry and Mayo in my opinion with Monaghan and Tyrone probably next! Roscommon and Galway might be just a step behind again and Armagh probably fit in around there!
I think Armagh are better than us - but I still think if the lads perform we can turn them over! No disrespect and certainly no arrogance but I believe there is more to this Meath side than we saw at the weekend!
Armagh are favourites - no doubt - but can we beat them ? I believe we can! Will we - time will tell!!"
Fair enough but you have rated them just behind the current Division 1 teams. I would love to be in that position. We are in an extremely difficult position….we don't want to give our boys an inflated rating or on the other hand undermine confidence. Not winning an Ulster since 08 has very little bearing on things…if that criteria was used Derry would still be in Division 3. By all logic you must win the home games to gain promotion so a vast improvement is need by our boys. Titles won in the 2000s mean absolutely zero in 2024.
I am woefully afraid that we will not get full value from our Minor teams of 2020 and 2021. When the members of those teams form the bulk of the county team I do not want to see them plying their trade in Division 3 (God forbid) or even be a struggling Division 2 side. So this is a very important year. Granted we are 'in Sam' this year but the aim must be to be there also in 2025, very difficult if we are in Division 3.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1080 - 30/01/2024 10:52:31    2523250

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Replying To MillerX:  "Fair enough but you have rated them just behind the current Division 1 teams. I would love to be in that position. We are in an extremely difficult position….we don't want to give our boys an inflated rating or on the other hand undermine confidence. Not winning an Ulster since 08 has very little bearing on things…if that criteria was used Derry would still be in Division 3. By all logic you must win the home games to gain promotion so a vast improvement is need by our boys. Titles won in the 2000s mean absolutely zero in 2024.
I am woefully afraid that we will not get full value from our Minor teams of 2020 and 2021. When the members of those teams form the bulk of the county team I do not want to see them plying their trade in Division 3 (God forbid) or even be a struggling Division 2 side. So this is a very important year. Granted we are 'in Sam' this year but the aim must be to be there also in 2025, very difficult if we are in Division 3."
I have rated them there because that's where I see them! And like you, I'd love to see us there!

I disagree on the Ulster championship wins - I think it paints a good picture of where teams are at! Derry have won the last two Ulster Championships so not sure how you figure they'd still be in Division 3. Armagh have made progress - last year was their first Ulster final since 2008 and losing on penos to Derry in that final and to Monaghan in AI shows that they have made progress and as I've said I'd rank them higher than us but it doesn't mean we can't win against them!

On your point about the Minor teams of 2020 and 2021 - that is absolutely a bigger concern! I listened to a podcast last night where they talked about the number of the Tyrone 2021 minor team who played at the weekend against Roscommon - don't know if you saw that game but Tyrone were impressive! I am concerned that we aren't developing our minors in the same way! And you are right - Division 3 would not be a great place for them to be developing from!

So - I live in hope that the lads will take confidence from a long unbeaten run, (albeit against lesser opposition) and take confidence from coming back against Fermanagh to get the draw and push on against Armagh! If I believed anything else I'd probably give up!!

Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 30/01/2024 11:53:54    2523266

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Replying To Royalblufill:  "I have rated them there because that's where I see them! And like you, I'd love to see us there!

I disagree on the Ulster championship wins - I think it paints a good picture of where teams are at! Derry have won the last two Ulster Championships so not sure how you figure they'd still be in Division 3. Armagh have made progress - last year was their first Ulster final since 2008 and losing on penos to Derry in that final and to Monaghan in AI shows that they have made progress and as I've said I'd rank them higher than us but it doesn't mean we can't win against them!

On your point about the Minor teams of 2020 and 2021 - that is absolutely a bigger concern! I listened to a podcast last night where they talked about the number of the Tyrone 2021 minor team who played at the weekend against Roscommon - don't know if you saw that game but Tyrone were impressive! I am concerned that we aren't developing our minors in the same way! And you are right - Division 3 would not be a great place for them to be developing from!

So - I live in hope that the lads will take confidence from a long unbeaten run, (albeit against lesser opposition) and take confidence from coming back against Fermanagh to get the draw and push on against Armagh! If I believed anything else I'd probably give up!!"
Think you've got there 20's winning all Ireland team and minor team mixed up, there was no players from Tyrone's starting 15 last week who played against Meath in the 2021 all Ireland minor final.

Mmmeath (Meath) - Posts: 15 - 30/01/2024 12:42:27    2523285

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Replying To Mmmeath:  "Think you've got there 20's winning all Ireland team and minor team mixed up, there was no players from Tyrone's starting 15 last week who played against Meath in the 2021 all Ireland minor final."
Maybe - I got that from the GAA hour podcast!

Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 30/01/2024 18:18:30    2523364

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Replying To Royalblufill:  "I have rated them there because that's where I see them! And like you, I'd love to see us there!

I disagree on the Ulster championship wins - I think it paints a good picture of where teams are at! Derry have won the last two Ulster Championships so not sure how you figure they'd still be in Division 3. Armagh have made progress - last year was their first Ulster final since 2008 and losing on penos to Derry in that final and to Monaghan in AI shows that they have made progress and as I've said I'd rank them higher than us but it doesn't mean we can't win against them!

On your point about the Minor teams of 2020 and 2021 - that is absolutely a bigger concern! I listened to a podcast last night where they talked about the number of the Tyrone 2021 minor team who played at the weekend against Roscommon - don't know if you saw that game but Tyrone were impressive! I am concerned that we aren't developing our minors in the same way! And you are right - Division 3 would not be a great place for them to be developing from!

So - I live in hope that the lads will take confidence from a long unbeaten run, (albeit against lesser opposition) and take confidence from coming back against Fermanagh to get the draw and push on against Armagh! If I believed anything else I'd probably give up!!"
Derry were locked into Division 3/4 and had not won an Ulster for yonks…..but they got their act together and made rapid progress. Thanks mainly to a coach who, let's say got into difficulties and had to walk but that another story, he did a job for Derry. What I mean is that we should not rate teams by their last provincial win. It's all about getting the right people. Our lady footballers hopefully have again struck gold with their new management team, two from two in the League, the right management can make a big difference but players have to buy in also.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1080 - 30/01/2024 22:47:35    2523411

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Anyone any thoughts on the system or what system we play.i can't really figure out what it is.???

Borderroyal (Meath) - Posts: 496 - 01/02/2024 10:41:49    2523641

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Replying To Borderroyal:  "Anyone any thoughts on the system or what system we play.i can't really figure out what it is.???"
You can't figure it out because there isn't one there to figure out!!!

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1003 - 01/02/2024 11:41:38    2523647

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