Meath Forum

Longford v Meath, April 7th, Pearse Park, Longford

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Replying To seadog54:  "I just listened to the interview and could not find anything amiss whith what Colm said. He has been consistant with his view's from day, saying it is a long term project and I fully agree with him. We have stumbled around for last 10/15 years having the odd decent season only to fall flat the following year. I think CB and management have identified this and are now attempting an alternative route, one that will take time and annoy the hell out of some supporters. Most importantly the players have bought into plan and many supporters see the merit in it. Some posters just focus on the negative's of these interview's never thinking it might be better looking at the positive points. I liked the way he talk's about the players alway's putting them front and centre. Also the news on Morris and Scully returning to full training has been overlooked. It also looks like we may have Grey and Ronan Ryan back before A/I series. I have no doubt he realise's Division One is must before we can even consider the Dub's who are starting to look better than ever."
If Longford beat us, they play the Dubs in Longford. If we beat Longford, we play the Dubs in Croker. Cannot anyone explain this to me?

I thought Leinster Council had a rule that the Dubs must play Leinster quarter finals away from home

Belt (Meath) - Posts: 272 - 26/03/2024 10:54:31    2533816

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Replying To Belt:  "If Longford beat us, they play the Dubs in Longford. If we beat Longford, we play the Dubs in Croker. Cannot anyone explain this to me?

I thought Leinster Council had a rule that the Dubs must play Leinster quarter finals away from home"
Surely it must be at Meath's request, to play the game in Croke Park. It is absolute madness if so. They obviously want Croke Park experience for the new players but the way Dublin are going at the minute, it could be an experience like Tyrone suffered at the weekend. Take a packed out Pairc Tailteann any day of the week ahead of 15,000 - 20,000 people and the seagulls in Croke Park.

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 997 - 26/03/2024 11:22:12    2533830

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Replying To seadog54:  "I just listened to the interview and could not find anything amiss whith what Colm said. He has been consistant with his view's from day, saying it is a long term project and I fully agree with him. We have stumbled around for last 10/15 years having the odd decent season only to fall flat the following year. I think CB and management have identified this and are now attempting an alternative route, one that will take time and annoy the hell out of some supporters. Most importantly the players have bought into plan and many supporters see the merit in it. Some posters just focus on the negative's of these interview's never thinking it might be better looking at the positive points. I liked the way he talk's about the players alway's putting them front and centre. Also the news on Morris and Scully returning to full training has been overlooked. It also looks like we may have Grey and Ronan Ryan back before A/I series. I have no doubt he realise's Division One is must before we can even consider the Dub's who are starting to look better than ever."
Explain how you say long term now but he said 2 years when he took over. So no. No even close to the same narrative

Ed2010 (Meath) - Posts: 109 - 26/03/2024 12:24:56    2533851

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Replying To BigJoe14:  "Surely it must be at Meath's request, to play the game in Croke Park. It is absolute madness if so. They obviously want Croke Park experience for the new players but the way Dublin are going at the minute, it could be an experience like Tyrone suffered at the weekend. Take a packed out Pairc Tailteann any day of the week ahead of 15,000 - 20,000 people and the seagulls in Croke Park."
When we gave up home advantage a few seasons back I thought it was a mistake. Not so sure this time. Croke Park or Tailteann, either way Dublin are beating us well. At least if it's in Croke Park the lads will get experience playing there, may not be back there this year.

We haven't lost a Championship game in Navan since the Super 8s in 2019. Why ship a hammering there from the Dubs when we could go into AI series feeling Navan is a major help to the team? I appreciate this could all fall apart if we draw Kerry or Derry in the first round in Navan, but I'm straw-clutching at the moment!

MeathAbroad (Meath) - Posts: 94 - 26/03/2024 14:00:01    2533877

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Replying To seadog54:  "I just listened to the interview and could not find anything amiss whith what Colm said. He has been consistant with his view's from day, saying it is a long term project and I fully agree with him. We have stumbled around for last 10/15 years having the odd decent season only to fall flat the following year. I think CB and management have identified this and are now attempting an alternative route, one that will take time and annoy the hell out of some supporters. Most importantly the players have bought into plan and many supporters see the merit in it. Some posters just focus on the negative's of these interview's never thinking it might be better looking at the positive points. I liked the way he talk's about the players alway's putting them front and centre. Also the news on Morris and Scully returning to full training has been overlooked. It also looks like we may have Grey and Ronan Ryan back before A/I series. I have no doubt he realise's Division One is must before we can even consider the Dub's who are starting to look better than ever."
Interesting.........As stated it is a long term recovery.I would like to be able to interpet that Cb and management are addressing The "stumbling around" for the last 10/15 years .Great....they have identified this and are now attempting an"alternative route" and the players have bought into the plan.Great ! at long last the CB are recognising the problem ,and better still that its a long standing problem. Thats good news. BUT WHAT is the alternative route in practise.? What PLAN did the players buy into? Like yourself i want to see COR make progress. You no doubt stauncly defend him at every opportunity and you are entitled to that. I still support Colms efforts but at this point I find myself a challenging supporter if that makes sense. My total argument revolves around how consistent shortcomings are dealt with or not. Is training doing what itis meant to do NO is my answer. Coaching is NOT up to scratch either . I struggle to find strong enough a word but iam "amazed" that the required expertise to improve is not in place at this point. Whats the hold up? If you can throw any light on this "alternative route" and the resulting "plan" the players have bought into lets have it please..Not poking at you or anyone else. As per COR s script he is at half time on his 2 year journey he asked for. Hoping for a second half where all learning shows dividends. We all know talk is cheap. Putting the talk into practise is what its about from here and that is a tall order .and without doubt the CB can help bigtime

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1266 - 26/03/2024 14:38:08    2533892

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Replying To Ed2010:  "Explain how you say long term now but he said 2 years when he took over. So no. No even close to the same narrative"
Easy explained, he has always maintained this is a long term project, he hoped for improvement after 2/3 years, otherwise he would hand the rein's over to next man. The panel in place is unlightly to change much and they seem content to settle in for long haul. Who is waiting in the wing's with magic wand to transform the team? The next few months will give us a good idea of where we are at. There will be no change in management before end of season, so instead of picking over everything with a fine tooth comb hoping to trip COR up,I suggest getting behind team for rest of season. No doubt there will be a review at season's end, better for all to hold fire until then.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 26/03/2024 14:50:32    2533894

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Replying To nobull456:  "Interesting.........As stated it is a long term recovery.I would like to be able to interpet that Cb and management are addressing The "stumbling around" for the last 10/15 years .Great....they have identified this and are now attempting an"alternative route" and the players have bought into the plan.Great ! at long last the CB are recognising the problem ,and better still that its a long standing problem. Thats good news. BUT WHAT is the alternative route in practise.? What PLAN did the players buy into? Like yourself i want to see COR make progress. You no doubt stauncly defend him at every opportunity and you are entitled to that. I still support Colms efforts but at this point I find myself a challenging supporter if that makes sense. My total argument revolves around how consistent shortcomings are dealt with or not. Is training doing what itis meant to do NO is my answer. Coaching is NOT up to scratch either . I struggle to find strong enough a word but iam "amazed" that the required expertise to improve is not in place at this point. Whats the hold up? If you can throw any light on this "alternative route" and the resulting "plan" the players have bought into lets have it please..Not poking at you or anyone else. As per COR s script he is at half time on his 2 year journey he asked for. Hoping for a second half where all learning shows dividends. We all know talk is cheap. Putting the talk into practise is what its about from here and that is a tall order .and without doubt the CB can help bigtime"
Understand where you are coming from and at times it look's like we are making little progress. I have no insight whatsoever into what is going on, other than what COR has consistantly said. Management seem's to have gathered the best 20/25 players in county and sold them their vision for the next few years. Apart from DK we have few if any leaders in the team, yes some have limited experience, however, many of these have had their injury troubles and are in and out of setup. The way I view the alternative route is simply time and patience, short term pain for long time gain, it's only my opinion but as I said we have stumbled along for too many years just about keeping head above water. As for coaching, our defence has improved in the last year and the return of the Ryans and Harnan will increase the options and experience level. Scoring is a major problem, but here we have some of the best forward's Meath have produced in charge and yet we average about 12/14 points per game. I think this way is worth a serious shot, will no suit many supporters who still think the next man up will solve our shortcomings, until he dosen't and then to the next one.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 26/03/2024 15:21:10    2533907

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Replying To seadog54:  "Understand where you are coming from and at times it look's like we are making little progress. I have no insight whatsoever into what is going on, other than what COR has consistantly said. Management seem's to have gathered the best 20/25 players in county and sold them their vision for the next few years. Apart from DK we have few if any leaders in the team, yes some have limited experience, however, many of these have had their injury troubles and are in and out of setup. The way I view the alternative route is simply time and patience, short term pain for long time gain, it's only my opinion but as I said we have stumbled along for too many years just about keeping head above water. As for coaching, our defence has improved in the last year and the return of the Ryans and Harnan will increase the options and experience level. Scoring is a major problem, but here we have some of the best forward's Meath have produced in charge and yet we average about 12/14 points per game. I think this way is worth a serious shot, will no suit many supporters who still think the next man up will solve our shortcomings, until he dosen't and then to the next one."
Well You are a glass half full man all right....As you say scoring is a problem even with the resourse of 2 great former forwards in the backroom team. Freetaking......Trevor would be the man there .Good freetaker is worth his place for that alone nearly The cynic in me tells me not to expect too much and then i will not be disappointed ! Ah i dont think id like that ,and prefer to challenge now because after so many years i dont want more of the same. So any FRESH thinking would be welcome ,especially if it is intended to promote serious review that could lead to development that could lead to PLANNED improvement thinking. Definately not more of the same of the last 20 years that leaves us where we are now. Dare i say it thankfully even as a Meath supporter its great to see what Dublin could do with visionary thinking coming from a low base at the time.It does take time yes. but most importanly vision which to me at this point should be driven by the top table.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1266 - 26/03/2024 15:56:11    2533917

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Replying To BigJoe14:  "Surely it must be at Meath's request, to play the game in Croke Park. It is absolute madness if so. They obviously want Croke Park experience for the new players but the way Dublin are going at the minute, it could be an experience like Tyrone suffered at the weekend. Take a packed out Pairc Tailteann any day of the week ahead of 15,000 - 20,000 people and the seagulls in Croke Park."
Who cares where we play it. If we lose by less than 12 points we'll be doing well. What difference does it make if we get hammered in a packed out PT or a 1/4 full Croke Park.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1003 - 26/03/2024 15:59:41    2533921

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Replying To BigJoe14:  "Surely it must be at Meath's request, to play the game in Croke Park. It is absolute madness if so. They obviously want Croke Park experience for the new players but the way Dublin are going at the minute, it could be an experience like Tyrone suffered at the weekend. Take a packed out Pairc Tailteann any day of the week ahead of 15,000 - 20,000 people and the seagulls in Croke Park."
Eh, we have to beat Longford first!

This thread is about the Longford game and it is a bit ridiculous to turn it into a debate about the game afterwards if we win.

We should be discussing our potential team for the game and tactics etc. And give some sort of respect Longford - after all they beat us in 2018!

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 225 - 26/03/2024 18:54:32    2533969

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is there anythingt be said for throwing the game to longford and let them go and get slaughtered? i dont think it did us any harm in 2018 we played great stuff v tyrone in qualifier? which is more damging losing to longford when nobody is really watching or getting a hiding from dublin with more attention on us? did the beating by offaly do that much harm last year? personally i think we should avoid playing dublin anywhere we can

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 767 - 26/03/2024 21:21:26    2534004

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Replying To dickie10:  "is there anythingt be said for throwing the game to longford and let them go and get slaughtered? i dont think it did us any harm in 2018 we played great stuff v tyrone in qualifier? which is more damging losing to longford when nobody is really watching or getting a hiding from dublin with more attention on us? did the beating by offaly do that much harm last year? personally i think we should avoid playing dublin anywhere we can"
Under no circumstances would that be a good idea. Why bother playing the sport at all. What if we draw Derry , Kerry or indeed the Dub's in A/I series, Throw them as well? Management would loose all credability with player's if such an option was even mentioned.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2195 - 26/03/2024 23:59:46    2534030

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Replying To dickie10:  "is there anythingt be said for throwing the game to longford and let them go and get slaughtered? i dont think it did us any harm in 2018 we played great stuff v tyrone in qualifier? which is more damging losing to longford when nobody is really watching or getting a hiding from dublin with more attention on us? did the beating by offaly do that much harm last year? personally i think we should avoid playing dublin anywhere we can"
Sure while we're at it we may just pack things in for the year then Jesus Christ

Meathfor@life (Meath) - Posts: 85 - 27/03/2024 22:20:17    2534196

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Replying To dickie10:  "is there anythingt be said for throwing the game to longford and let them go and get slaughtered? i dont think it did us any harm in 2018 we played great stuff v tyrone in qualifier? which is more damging losing to longford when nobody is really watching or getting a hiding from dublin with more attention on us? did the beating by offaly do that much harm last year? personally i think we should avoid playing dublin anywhere we can"
Same as 2018 so is it. Longford wont fear Meath on their own patch.

overdabar (Westmeath) - Posts: 247 - 27/03/2024 23:00:00    2534208

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You don't get better by hiding away from the top teams. Even if its painful its something you have to go through it. How many times did Ireland get slaughtered by England and New Zealand in the 90's and 00's in rugby before we got our act together. Dublin went and got beatings off Kerry and Tyrone through the 00's.

It highlights shortcomings but also can give lads a shot at proving themselves on the big stage. If you do get hammered you usually don't want it to happen a second time.

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 464 - 28/03/2024 09:14:36    2534233

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Few thoughts on whats on this thread/ discussions.

1. At this stage of the season we seem to be broadly in similar position to what we have been for last 10/ 15 years.
This disappoints me as I thought playing and winning Tailteann last allowed a big turn over of players to be bedded in to the set up in one year, thought it would leave us in good position this year. Hopefully in the rest of the season the team can make us feel we are improving.

On other hand people also should keep this perspective when criticising COR, we haven't been competitive in years and we're only half way through CORs second year.
So far I wouldn't say COR has made us worse, just not sure we are making progress yet.

2. COR shouldn't be mentioning years way in the future for bringing Meath back to being competitive.
His role is specifically to manage the current team.
It didn't sound like a vote of confidence in the current team.

3. Nothing wrong with people here saying we expect to beat Longford.
They are a division 4 team, we are a division 2 team. We should beat them. Saying this isn't exactly putting unrealistic expectations on the team.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1400 - 29/03/2024 12:30:07    2534449

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I've said it from the start. The TC is a nothing competition and we were the only county to take it seriously. All other counties had a mass exodus of players once they realized they were playing TC.
And people laughed when i said we'd have been better off fighting for a place in the AI series the normal way other than a free pass thinking were were great for winning the TC. As it proved it just papered over the cracks!!

League should have been priority this year and if it was we failed miserably. We probably could have beaten Donegal and Armagh 2 years ago if we played them as in they were not much better than us but it shows what a good management/coaching ticket can do for a team.
This malarkey about 2 years to see an improvement is always the age old excuse for managers who are under pressure.

JonnieG (Meath) - Posts: 246 - 29/03/2024 18:31:24    2534509

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We have 2 lads named on the higher education all stars team (congratulations to both). Yet we can't get them performing for Meath. The narrative of 'we don't have the players' doesn't really add up.

Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 383 - 29/03/2024 20:27:05    2534518

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i actually think Longford are a poor enough outfit now, we bet them 2 years ago by 20 points in navan i think we will beat them easily again even in longford and we do owe them a good beating for 2018. just dont know what good it will do us playing dublin, didnt do us any harm not playing them last year

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 767 - 29/03/2024 23:29:03    2534540

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Replying To JonnieG:  "I've said it from the start. The TC is a nothing competition and we were the only county to take it seriously. All other counties had a mass exodus of players once they realized they were playing TC.
And people laughed when i said we'd have been better off fighting for a place in the AI series the normal way other than a free pass thinking were were great for winning the TC. As it proved it just papered over the cracks!!

League should have been priority this year and if it was we failed miserably. We probably could have beaten Donegal and Armagh 2 years ago if we played them as in they were not much better than us but it shows what a good management/coaching ticket can do for a team.
This malarkey about 2 years to see an improvement is always the age old excuse for managers who are under pressure."
Yea we were flying 2 years ago alright.

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 937 - 30/03/2024 06:06:55    2534553

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