|
2019 Predictions? - 24 Like(s)
I dont understand the childish enthusiasm of a few individuals on this thread, year on year it seems to be the same naive rhetoric. I'll be at as many games as possible, I would like to see a strong showing in Div.2, it'll be a very tough league for every team. Outside of not getting relegated would be a good finish for the current Meath set-up. The championship has potential; its a golden opportunity to win 3 games and get to a Leinster Final. However, this Meath team for many years has not had the consistency required even against Div3/4 opposition and it won't be easy against Offaly with a new, experienced manager, Carlow (in particular, are dodgy and have no fear or inhibitions) and Laois/Westmeath (who will both be gunning for Meath in a Leinster Semi), those teams are not to be taken lightly and realistically Meath, Carlow, Offaly, Westmeath and Laois all have similar chances of meeting Dublin in that final. Meath will have to play well and play to their maximum level to tip the scales. Prediction? Very hard to predict Meath anymore, Id be glad of a few trips to Croker, and getting 4/5 games in the championship at this point. The league will tell all.
Young_gael (Meath) - 05/01/2019 15:58:32
|
|
Meath Div 1 2020 - 24 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "Well said.
Actually though I don't think we have many people like that, I've said this before and I will say it again what we have is one maybe two posters (who I doubt very much are from Meath ) or blowins who hate the county with a passion, with multiple usernames who log in and out posting the same sh@t under different name. So I wouldn't be downhearted, know that every red thumb you get was some saddo having to log in and out of different account just to do that.
I will try later to name the usernames who are one and the same person. I'll also give u there long established Kildare username.
Hon the royal and f the begrudgers" You know, I took a few months off this and returned this morning to see what was on the Meath forum, confident that there'd be a colossal goldmine of new material from yourself to scan over. At times it makes me laugh, at times it annoys me, and at times it even makes me want to delete my account that some of the stuff is seen on the main forum and met with the inevitable responses time and time again. It takes away from the community on the forum.I have nothing against you on any personal level and youre entitled to be here as I am, and every now and then you hit the right note in your analysis of matches, and your player and local knowledge is always of a higher standard than mine, so again this isnt a personal attack. Let me be clear with you that there is no big conspiracy of people around the country to use the hogan stand forums to emulate posters from Co. Meath with the specific reason to leave a red downvote on your posts, or anybody else's. Do you really think people have that little time? Or that they are that petty? Do you have any shred of evidence? Do you even take this whole thing that seriously in the first place?! They downvote you in particular because in post after post after post you leave nonsensical, overly opinionated, and often very rude remarks, you are ignorant to criticism and debate, and you are lacking in manners. You have built up an army of people who dont like your posts over many years and enjoy winding you up. They then proceed to laugh at all of US because they associate all of Meath with your attitudes. Its that simple. Dont drag any other users into your situation. Its your situation, I dont expect you to listen and Im eagerly expecting a wisecrack befitting a junior cert classroom, but at least someone can tell you what's what.
.
Young_gael (Meath) - 23/11/2019 19:36:33
|
|
Meath Vs Mayo - 23 Like(s)
Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "Who are these players that McEntee needs to swallow his pride for ?" I don't have all the answers, and ill not pretend to be an expert; I don't attend as many club games as many others mostly due to work, and I wont name names because its none of my business, but Id have to think that in a county with dozens of clubs urban and rural alike, that there are men with the varied individual attributes required to bring the team on another step. What is on show at the moment, with the utmost of respect is of an upper mediocre standard. Ive made many posts where I was very complimentary of this team and I remain fond of them, pure work-rate has them where they are and this has been a red letter season. I believe this team's achievement will be appreciated in time. Im proud to have followed them this season and will continue to follow them in the future. However I also believe that in order to consolidate the position we find ourselves in for 2020, we will need a new goalkeeper, one (maybe 2) midfielders, and two or three new forwards. Just my own opinion. The lads who are there cant be faulted for work, and passion, and effort, and they all deserve our respect, but they're peaking at this level.
Young_gael (Meath) - 21/07/2019 18:44:21
|
|
Meath V Dublin - 23 Like(s)
Im a proud Royal tonight.
Lads we lost by 5 points. Never led the match. Kicked a lot of wides. Gave away too much possession... etc etc etc. But we fought. That's the difference. We fought. I felt something I havent felt for many years today during that game. There was a pride and a spirit on show against the Jackeens that we havent seen for years. We still didnt give them enough of it imo, but we gave them plenty. Im proud.
Dublin have dramatically declined, and I struggle to see them winning Sam this year on that performance.
Young_gael (Meath) - 18/07/2021 18:29:22
|
|
Meath V Tyrone - 22 Like(s)
Replying To bobkarlgees: "Its about time we beat Tyrone. I am personally sick of coming up short against Tyrone in recent years. Injuries or no injuries. Its about time we step up to the plate with regard this fixture. Last year its something that went under the radar a lot was how lucky we where with regard injuries, Barring the Niall Keane horrible injury, and a few others injuries we got away with it. We where very lucky with regard to top players in keoghan Menton Lavin etc year. I too am worried about injuries but if we lads coming back maybe we might get away it just about." Agreed. The qualifier in Navan a few years back was a tough loss. We would not have progressed any further that given year but to go down after extra time, after throwing away an injury time advantage was brutal. Questionable referee also. Tyrone are likely to be missing McShane which is a bonus to any opposition. Meath/Tyrone games are always dour, tough, stodgy affairs. Tyrone might have the advantage over the last 10/12 years but they always seem to just pip Meath to the win by a few scores. Their ability to defend and grind their way to victory just seems to be able to get the job done against Meath teams, who are, with respect, more naive and conservative in their approach. Meath have been altogether too nice for a long time, and a positive is that McEntee seems to appreciate that fact also. The injury list is fairly comprehensive lads, we will need everyone if we are to do anything in this league, and the extent of the list is disheartening. I really hope that the squad collectively can step up to the plate come league time, because realistically I'm starting to think that we may struggle to compete, and might already be looking at 1/2 games as targets to avoid relegation. Not a good place to be in January. As always, a I hope my pessimism is misguided and I'll be at any games I can be. It is an exciting time to have games against the best sides lined up rather than the typically attritional opponents we are used to meeting in div.2 league.
On a side note, Royaldunne is right about this forum. It's saturated by troll accounts. Likely all the one poster judging by the similarity of the comments. They are consistently hijacking threads and leaving clever one liners and attacking posters with red thumbs, etc, I have to say it's very sad, pathetic behaviour and whoever you are, you should stop and let people use this platform as it is meant to be used, ultimately the joke is on you. Admins, take note. The nationwide forum is a far better alternative at the moment, these types don't seem to have the gall to post on it.
Young_gael (Meath) - 13/01/2020 07:23:56
|
|
Meath V Donegal - 22 Like(s)
Haven't added my thoughts into this thread until now because tbh I needed a few days to process the Clare game, soak up the media reaction to the game and the other games and watch the highlights again (well all 2/3 minutes of them!). We should be proud of this team lads. They've done very well, it seems that there is a growing consensus among supporters of the achievements of the year being genuinely remarkable. Definitely my best year following Meath since the late "noughties" when I was a young lad. What struck me most was the mental strength shown vs. Clare. That simple ingredient has been missing for years and Ive seen it numerous times this year, v. Armagh and Kildare in the league, v. a rampant Offaly in the championship and now after a tough game against Clare. Im also pragmatic and I see that none of those teams are considered elite, but still, Meath had to go to the grindstone numerous times this year and have delivered on all occasions. The Leinster final was what it was and they could've absolutely collapsed but the resolve shown in the Rd.4 qualifier was great and it has perhaps put to bed the weakness against pressure of the past 5/6 years, time will tell.
We are now in the Super 8's. We now have 3 games against top opposition. A chance to give our full squad the experience of elite football and also in preparation for Division 1 football next spring. How bloody refreshing this is. The hard work done by this team (often in the face of adversity within the county itself) and this management will live long in the memory if Meath can continue to progress in the coming years. The majority of this panel have seen mass exoduses of players in the past two years, heartbreaking losses at home to Tyrone and Donegal, slating in the media near and far from home, losing to Longford in Pearse Park in Rd.1 of the Championship last year... they've been in very obscure and very dark places and all with the added weight of being in a Meath team, where this is a lot of intrinsic pressure in daily life to be successful and live up to the past. Also their success this year is fully down to the combined fitness, conditioning, and work-rate of the team. Its a team with only 1/2/3 top class players but a lot of good players who work very hard in all aspects. I for one say well bloody done. I am noted regularly for being negative or maybe hesitant to get too carried away but well done to all involved, the Herculean effort of this panel to pull themselves out of the quagmire of Division 2 football by hook or crook will be lauded in many years to come, particularly if it is the dawning of a new era. Onwards now to the epilogue and maybe a further surprise or 3 ;)
Young_gael (Meath) - 09/07/2019 23:45:13
|
|
Meath V Mayo - 22 Like(s)
Replying To Thejoeshow: "So to be clear you thinking saying we clearly can't compete is what young players should hear and that will bring us on?" There isn't any common ground to be had here thejoeshow. You aren't hearing what I'm saying, and that's ok. I can't really rattle on about the same points I already raised, and I'm not interested in tittle-tattle. My apologies to the rest of the thread for this waste of a post.
Young_gael (Meath) - 16/02/2020 20:35:05
|
|
Meath V Donegal - 22 Like(s)
Replying To BigJoe14: "Meath played with a gale force wind in the first half of the Armagh game and played against it in the second half, so it was extremely difficult to get the ball up the field, but they did so excellently in the last 5 minutes of the second half to secure the win after Armagh fought back with the wind advantage. I am convinced some Meath supporters prefer seeing Meath teams fail just so they can have a good moan. If they win a game its argued they didn't win comfortably enough for some peoples liking, then when they lose they are the labelled the worst team in the country. There is no middle ground at all with some people." Meath are a handy side. They're not Division one material, that much should be absolutely obvious. They are however part of a large collective of sides consisting of Armagh, Cavan, Kildare, Clare, Tipp, Cork, Roscommon, Down, etc that are all within a few scores of each other and tussling it out for the position of 8th to 12th in the country any given year. This is a large group of counties spanning Division 2 and 3, which Meath emerged out of in last season's NFL. The management of McEntee and his coaching staff have delivered a very fit, conditioned, and athletic team. They also worked like dogs last year and won games very often against naturally better players by workrate and honesty. They also have a particular running playing style and a talent level in the top 15/20 players that got us over the line in last years league and a good run in the LSC and vs. Clare in the Rd.4 qualifier, however when injuries, squad shortcomings, and better opposition come into the fray, the work done, although very admirable, just comes up short and we look abysmal on the field, as our running style and weakened team simply cannot compete against the best sides who can easily negate our running game, flood midfield, know our kickouts are poor, and physically can push Meath off the ball. We also have no forward options at the minute who are reliable at the highest level to take their scores. Meath management have achieved a great thing by getting this particular squad to Division one, and we should acknowledge that but pointing out these issues in my view, isn't negativity like some lads on this think it is.
Too many of you never left the 90's lads. Times have changed.
Young_gael (Meath) - 06/02/2020 15:11:49
|
|
Meath Vs Kerry - 22 Like(s)
I must admit fellow lads and lassies, Im finding it hard to get excited for this match. The term "dead rubber" is thrown around a lot and I think for good reason in the case of Rd.3 of the Super 8's. One has to imagine the Cork/Roscommon match will have a similar and equally laborious build-up. This Meath team have had a very fruitful 2019 and I believe with the right guidance and training, and the right selection between now and the mid-2020s, that the panel can only improve and get stronger. There are variables to that possibility though and the county must tread very carefully and make effort to consolidate our progress achieved this year. The turnaround has been huge, perhaps too huge.
This match has a one-off feel. Kerry are the golden boys of the GAA. Always will be. The romantics. One of the big issues the GAA has always faced over Kerry is that they don't travel. Traditionally they played one or two games in Munster and then boom, straight to Croker for the Qtr. Final. This is uncharted territory for them. Navan to them may as well be Malaysia. Its a tight, rustic, old-school venue that should be filled with passionate and vocal local fans. Kerry are also a very young side and theyre relatively reliant on two or three youngsters. They have nothing to gain in this match. Not saying we'll win but these are factors that Meath must use to their advantage. Its a very interesting match-up. I hope the old Pairc Tailteann gets sent off in style and there is no better fixture in championship football than Kerry. It'll also be an enjoyable game, relatively free of cynicism and negativity.
Young_gael (Meath) - 27/07/2019 07:16:30
|
|
Meath All-Star Nominees - 21 Like(s)
In my own view, Meath have a handful of very good players, top class even. Keogan is very good and after years at the periphery of the championship, quietly saving our blushes many times, he finally received the acclaim he deserves this year. Lavin and McGill were very good, Lavin being the more consistent. Menton was very good. I'd say at a stretch that Gallagher, Harnan, Campion, Devine and particularly Walsh have serious potential also to grow, and as players reach that level as top players/possible all star potential. I'd say the mainstay of the rest of the panel are average or slightly above nationwide inter-county standard. We've very good foundations here. We do however need maybe 4/5 new players.
All-Stars? I dont think we'll get one but Keogan deserves a nomination. Any more would be a token gesture aimed at keeping Meath in the news stream.
Young_gael (Meath) - 10/08/2019 14:55:16
|
|
Meath V Mayo - 21 Like(s)
Replying To Thejoeshow: ""We do not have the required standard to win or compete at this level"
It does beg the question why even bother? Why do you comment of the forum? Why not just forget about it and let those of us who wish to support the current panel get on with it? I'm not sure what you think is achieved with those comments? Anyone can say it's a long term project etc etc but if what's being said is that there is no prospect of competing why would any young player bother playing GAA?" Once again, yet another knee-jerk reaction from a Meath poster on the Hogan stand forum. I wrote what I wrote because I think it is a true statement, and seemingly many others agree, that doesent mean I hate the panel and want to see them fail and "why bother" etc, thats not my point. I go to as many games year in, year out as you do no doubt and Im a Meath supporter for life, irregardless. However there has to be context applied to the last three seasons including the one currently ongoing. I said before that I know some of the panel from a young age and Id tell them these things to their face. In fact I'm sure they'd appreciate honesty and constructive feedback over the pie-in-the-sky alternate reality a lot of you live in where Meath are automatically one of the best teams in Ireland and deserved to be judged off of people who are now in their 60s who played decades ago. You might not think it or mean it, but it is in fact your attitude and posters like yours toward the panel that in my view, holds back progress. Its not my area of expertise but im sure my pal Furlong could name off the statistics of Meath teams in the era post-Boylan that absolutely paint a picture of the situation Meath is in. I for one, really do not see whats so barbaric about pointing out our shortcomings and I equally celebrate our successes.
Young_gael (Meath) - 16/02/2020 12:47:52
|
|
Meath Vs Mayo - 21 Like(s)
Replying To Jackpot: "We've been decent against lower ranked teams. Whether the supporters believe or not makes no difference. Well done Donegal but a silly post. Mayo to win." Meath have beaten Offaly, Carlow, Laois, and Clare in the championship. They were badly beaten by Dublin in a calamitous game, and although very brave and resilient against Donegal, came up short. The fact that Donegal outscored Meath by 10 points in the last 10 minutes is the biggest worry, in my view. There was an element of fatigue in those last few minutes, and instead of keeping the scoreboard ticking over in that period, we elected Hail Mary high balls into the square twice, with good time on the clock, allowing Donegal easy possession to convert in return. The kick-outs too, are at this point worth maybe 3/4 points to the opposition. I agree that Meath have an issue with division one opposition and are struggling to bridge that gap. Three times this year in eerily similar games we have been bested by Donegal in the closing quarter whilst giving them plenty of game for the other three quarters. The sad thing is that this Meath team although very spirited and combative, are far from a finished article, yet can still give a side like Donegal a very tough game. Imagine what a strong midfielder like McDermott and a Tommy Dowd or Geraghty up front could potentially add into this team. Against Dublin we were completely and utterly out of our depth, mentally and physically and in terms of speed, scoring capability and attack. I wouldn't sugarcoat it at all, we are miles away from them. We have some of the best backs in Ireland. Lavin gave Brennan very little, surely an eye opener for the young Donegal man. McGill and Gallagher on their day can go man to man and can be trusted to do a job. Keogan is top class and we've a strangely absurd pick of lads who can do a job at half back against good teams. Areas for improvement are everywhere else I would say, with respect. The whole team are great triers, and are solid footballers, but there is a lack of star quality at present and we must accept that. Our ability to transfer ball through the middle third is probably the worst of the super 8 teams.
In spite of that, Mayo looked defeated early on v. Kerry, they might well fall against this Meath team or they might react violently against us, in which case it could get ugly in every way. Tradition says Meath will win, but tradition be damned, out the window. The days of resting on our laurels are long, long over. This will be another battle and this team is in a mode at the moment of construction and consolidation and will be for another season at least. To win this game would be an immense achievement. It's not beyond the team but it's a big ask.
Young_gael (Meath) - 16/07/2019 23:31:35
|
|
Meath V Dublin - 21 Like(s)
I think for the benefit of our panel and management its best to just take today as it was. This result and performance was always a distinct possibility. And as I said earlier, it could have been much worse. Its essentially a race for the All-Ireland silver medal now between every county bar Dublin and deep down we all know it.
Its a forum, an open square here, but for us, we'd do well to stop knocking players lads (myself included! I hate picking at individuals I have to say) because 1) there's a distinct possibility that lads in the set-up might see these posts, 2) it makes no odds, we have a team better than the sum of its parts as we already knew, 3) they're dedicating a lot of their time and effort to the betterment of this team, and 4) we're still in the championship. We're back in Division 1 and we're a game off the Top 8 in the country. All is not lost. That Meath team can challenge anyone on their day. They'll take today as a learning curve and move on. They have to. If they take today personally and the insults which will come with a loss like that vs. Dublin, then they'll never be satisfied or fulfilled as players. Today was a horrific spectacle which makes me fear for the future but it does not take away from a good year for Meath, and the potential for more to come. Well done to the hurlers and the Junior team as well, so often ignored as in this very post. Up the royals.
Young_gael (Meath) - 23/06/2019 20:30:52
|
|
Meath V Laois - 21 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "Game was well over before Murphy tried his slaps.
Also I don't think we ever were in trouble.
This is the problem this Meath team faces. They can't win no matter how they play, win by 2 v Offaly and it's shocking win by 15 v Carlow and it's expected, and we didn't do it well enough." Woah, woah, woah now don't start your claptrap with me. I told you before I've very little time for it and very few other posters do either from what I see. Of course you'll use that as ammunition to fortify what you said but I figured I'd let you know all the same. I'm making observations and putting across my opinion for constructive debate, don't mind a bit of banter either of course. I'm not going to launch into personal riff raff without substance like your post above and in future I won't reply and I'll join the army of lads and lassies who just read and put those red thumbs down to show my disinterest.
Young_gael (Meath) - 31/05/2019 23:38:32
|
|
Super 8 Play-Off/Round 4 Qualifier - 21 Like(s)
Lads, the players and management are happy to move on from the Dublin game, perhaps analyse it after the season ends, which admittedly could be soon. We should do the same. We've a game coming up in a few weeks to get the opportunity to advance to the Super 8's. The other opposition is Westmeath, Clare, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Mayo, Tyrone, and Armagh. There seems to be a stipulation whereby Meath cannot face Laois or Offaly again in one season though, so it narrows the board. A few big games coming up this week and we should be paying attention; every one of those teams will fancy Meath.
Another question surely we must all be asking ourselves on some level is if we are even ready for S8 action, of course we want our team there, but the reality of the quality of opposition is now far more clear... in saying that of course getting to the last 8 is a capability for this team and I think them capable of bouncing back and beating any of the above teams, although it seems a big task indeed in most cases. Thoughts?
Young_gael (Meath) - 25/06/2019 16:35:38
|
|
Meath V Mayo - 21 Like(s)
Replying To Crinigan: "Rough weekend for us all. I'm based out in the States at the moment, not sure I'll be going back given the mess the country is about to get itself into." Im not sure in the long history of this nation (including the last 98 years of independence), that it was never NOT in a mess but that's a matter for a different type of forum altogether and I for one would favour leaving the politics off this forum. Its like the old saying about all conversation, religion and politics are a no-go.
As regards all things Meath, good win for the U20s over Wexford today, especially when conditions are taken into account. For the seniors, the slightly easier games of the league are now behind us, the endgame of our first foray in the top tier is now clear and obvious to us all, including the panel. A few more games regardless of results, will do no more harm. Im pleased that I'm seeing pragmatism out of many other posters, and the more players of prospect that are tried against this level of opposition, the better off we should be in principle. To address some of the questions raised on the threads over the last week or so of my absence, if I hear another human being saying put a big man on the square and hoof the ball in, ill explode. Also the idea of integrating players from this club, that club, every club, into the county setup based off of newspaper articles to face Kerry and Dublin among others, is bananas. This whole green blood philosophy is straight out of a 1960s playbook and is part of why we have fallen systematically in the last 20 years. It's very apparent in Meath GAA. We must come to the acceptance that we do not have the required talent to compete and win at this standard, and it must be raised and nurtured essentially from preschool. We cant pluck it out of thin air. It is that long term strategy we must be constantly striving to advance.
Young_gael (Meath) - 15/02/2020 19:23:00
|
|
Meath GAA; How Do We Win? - 21 Like(s)
Replying To lilypad: "No you have to have great players and a great manager, meath have neither." Good man lilypad. Ive been looking at your posts for a long time; and often wondered when you'd leave one of your one-liners as a response to me. I wont argue with you, youre correct on one count, and possibly the second as well, time will tell. However time also tells a great story in reverse, and yes perhaps you ought to look to your own county. The flour bags, even at their very best, live up to their name. Lily by name, lily by nature. Youd only love if we in Meath actually sunk to your level and gave you the time and attention you all so desperately want. Pound for pound, the worst county in Ireland. Im not pulling any punches. I dont like your tone and input in any thread Ive ever seen them on, and I wont be replying to your inevitably smart response.
Young_gael (Meath) - 11/07/2020 21:57:32
|
|
Meath V Donegal - 21 Like(s)
Lads, I know many of the current panel as ex-schoolmates, played against them and in other sports as well from youth level. I have to say we have some serious athletes out there, unquestionably. The team that played Donegal, with respect, was our weakest effort imaginable for a division one match. We were very, very limited. The athleticism and conditioning was there, everything else fundamentally lacking without our top 15/18 players. That much is absolutely clear and is not a sleight on the panel. We are where we are.
Lads we need to get real. Throwing around names of players, injured or otherwise, and putting pressure on them given the opening two league games is a mistake. We are in a crisis with the goalkeeper, and an injury crisis. It has to be very difficult for the panel and saying that 3/4 lads would make a massive difference is wrong, its actually embarrassing. Id say if you offered those lads a spot back in Division 2 right now they'd take it. We must stay behind the team but in the right capacity, if the prevailing attitude persists, it could ultimately do massive damage to the panel going forward, in regards retention and confidence.
Young_gael (Meath) - 04/02/2020 17:13:51
|
|
Meath GAA; How Do We Win? - 21 Like(s)
Ive noticed a stagnation on our forum lately, and on the national forum as well. My question is a simple one, amidst the chaos and upheaval of 2020, county football finally looks to be back on the cards for July; how does Meath, our great traditional county push on and win? How do we go from where we are at present and push on where no Meath team has gone since 1999? Can this panel be the ones to break the deadlock and prove the old anecdote of generations past "You can never write a Meath team off"?
Young_gael (Meath) - 21/06/2020 17:31:47
|
|
Meath V Dublin - 20 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Still no Kells player in the Squad.????" It seems like a ridiculous thing to say but they dont have any individuals who massively stand out as being county material. They're still a very good team all the same, just dont have the type of player who typically makes a county set-up. I would agree for arguments sake that one or two should be tried, and in years past, others werent given a chance for reasons unknown.
Young_gael (Meath) - 16/10/2020 16:56:22
|