Since its a bank holiday evening and we're feeling a bit down I would like to look forward to next year and get people to suggest teams for next season. The upcoming league is perhaps the most important of the last 20 years as we have to identify new players and a method of playing or in danger of losing the progress gained in recent years.

Hopefully some players will come out of the woodwork in the meantime but here is my go.

1. Murphy / O'Rourke (My preference is Murphy but no major hangup about Paddy)
2. Cormac McGill / Davey Dalton(has to be given a chance)
3. Kevin Reilly
4. Chris O'Connor / Ciaran Lenehan / Mickey Burke (try out options in league)
5. Seamus Kenny (need him here more than forwards)
6. Cormac McGuinness
7. Gary O'Brien
8. Conor Gillespie (focus of selectors looking at games is to i.d. midfield options)
9. Brian Meade
10. David Bray
11. Shane O'Rourke
12. Graham Reilly
13. Stephen Bray (only position for him)
14 Joe Sheridan
15 Brian Sheridan / Farrell (I dont believe we can carry Ward anymore just for frees)

oldsam_newsam (Meath) - Posts: 638 - 02/08/2010 21:16:01    733510

1. O'Rourke
2. Cormac McGill / Davey Dalton / Harrington
3. Kevin Reilly
4. Chris O'Connor
5. Seamus Kenny
6. Cormac McGuinness
7. Gary O'Brien / Mickey Burke
8. Conor Gillespie
9. Brian Meade
10. Shane O'Rourke
11. Joe Sheridan
12. Graham Reilly
13. Stephen Bray
14. David Bray
15. Cian Ward

I think the 5 forwards we had this year can do the job. I do believe we can afford to carry Ward for another year just for his frees if we drop Kenny back where he should be and bring back David Bray. We then have 5 scoring forwards and an excellent free taker.

I think we badly missed having corner forwards all year. Would love to see the two brays in the corners taking on their men and slotting over a few points. There has to be a plan B and if the long straight ball to Rourkey and Joe ain't working then it'd be great to have these two in the corners. We've become to dependant on hittin the full forward early. It works so well but I think we've all seen now that teams figure it out in the second half and we never get away with it for 70 minutes. We have some of the best forwards in the country but we never use them. They feed of scraps from the big man up front. And all to often Bray has to go back bast the half forward line just to win some ball.

I'd opt for Paddy in goals, i think theres a certain Meathness to him, he seems a bit wild and I like it, he's gonna be our goalie for the future anyway and I think EOB will start him again next year.

O'Connor and Reilly are certain to start, Harrington might have a battle on his hands now but depends what else comes through.

Half back line needs a lot of work. We won't see moyles again, king has struggled. Gary O'Brien is the only one who can hold his head high in my opinion. Therefore I'd like to see Seamus Kenny back where he belongs and hopefully McGuinnes is back in the starting 15 next year.

Midfield is a mystery, I really don't know what we can do here. Is Gillespie good enough? Do we try another year with Mark Ward...? Meade definitely isn't good enough quality but he does work very hard. We need to rotate in the league to find the best pairing here.. can Shane O'Rourke do a job here.

I think we have enough to retain Leinster next year. I think the second half yesterday didn't do justice to the quality we have, the first half was probably a fairer reflection, it was good end to end football from both teams and I think we were very evenly matched. I think it just showed that EOB needs to be a bit more flexible and change it quicker.

The royals for back to back Leinsters and hopefully a good stab at the big one.

Also best of luck to Kildare, great banter yesterday on the hill, pity about the booing from both sets of supporters but definitely the best atmosphere we've had on the hill in some time.

COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN

I don't think he'll make the same mistakes next year.

miteymeath (Meath) - Posts: 98 - 03/08/2010 10:16:26    733694

think your right with kenny in the backs ye midfield is a mystery alright o'rourke possible solution? dont think wardy is up to it at the moment if we do opt for paddy in the goals we shud lt him kick the 45 and long range frees and have farrell queeny or brian sheridan in for the close range ones but all in all the majority of the forwards have the quality its just gettin the best out of them

meath1234 (Meath) - Posts: 203 - 03/08/2010 10:42:50    733717

1. Murphy
2. Davey Dalton
3. Kevin Reilly
4. Chris O'Connor
5. Seamus Kenny
6. Cormac McGuinness
7. Gary O'Brien
8. Nigel Crawford(if he stays on if not Conor Gillispie)
9. Brian Meade
10. Peader Byrne
11. Shane O'Rourke
12. Graham Reilly
13. Stephen Bray (only position for him)
14 Joe Sheridan
15 David Bray

i reckon we need peader byrne back in half forward and play seamus kenny a half back.seamus can still do his job around the breaking ball but by playing peader byrne youve now two players who will get stuck into breaking ball as we only seemed to have seamus this year.i agree with playing shane at 11 as hed be handy for the midifield battle too.The two brays in the full forward line would be lethal as im convinced while stephen is good david is the better of the two.

stamullenman (Meath) - Posts: 392 - 03/08/2010 10:44:08    733719

What about Bryan mention for either chb or midfield?

Any point in trying again to get paddy smyth to give it a shot?

Brian Sheridan would also surely be an asset to the panel.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 03/08/2010 12:24:09    733905

Why drop Harrington? The man had been fairly solid all year and because of a couple of bad games he should be gone is that it? If that's the case we wouldn't have a team! The man has done a great service to Meath football in the past and this year too and he doesn't get the credit he deserves. I know corner-back is an important position and therefor mistakes are magnified but give the lad a break.

itsgreenandgold (Meath) - Posts: 312 - 03/08/2010 12:54:25    733974

1. Paddy O'Rourke
2. Cormac McGill
3. Kevin Reilly
4. Chris O'Connor
5. Seamus Kenny
6. Cormac McGuinness
7. Gary O'Brien
8. Conor Gillespie
9. Brian Meade
10. Peader Byrne
11. Joe Sheridan
12. Graham Reilly
13. Stephen Bray
14. Shane O'Rourke
15. David Bray

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2003 - 03/08/2010 13:02:04    733997

Conor Gillespie appears to be the nominated midfield messiah. I know he is only young and I have only seen him play two club matches and a few apearances for the county team this year, however from what I saw I would never have picked him out as an intercounty player.

Hopefully, I am missing something (or he was not able to perform under the pressure of having me looking from the side line), but can anyone who has seen more of him, give a view as to how good he is. I don't want to be dishing someone after only seeing them a few times so any further input would be welcome.

DowdtoFoleyGoal (Meath) - Posts: 292 - 03/08/2010 13:26:26    734055

itsgreen&gold

Your dead right about harrington.
Way too many lads out with the noose after a cuple of poor games. EOB has to take as much blaming as harrington for the doing he got because everyone could see he should have been switched.

This was his 4th year playing there, & there has been very few players more consistant over the last 4 years.
The lads knows himself he didnt have a great championship, but no need to boot him while he's down.

Same think that went on with Niall McKeigue in january, play a bad game & hang em out to dry.

Some of ye have shocking bad memories.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 03/08/2010 14:57:09    734275

Jinixie,

On your Brian Menton point , i was very surprised he never got a run as a sub this year why would Eob pick someone so young and not even give him a chance.
I know he's very young but as a member of a county panel you would expect all the substitutes to feature at some stage...

stfechin (Meath) - Posts: 74 - 03/08/2010 15:15:57    734321

There is alot of time between now and then. Let the players and manager reassess themselves. There is no doubting that we need to re-think somethings and some positions. Lets just see who is available next year, before making suggestions of players here there and everywhere. Constructive criticism is also the only way to improve. A number of players have to come back from injury and form and so on, as well as nobody knows if some players may not feel like they can continue to commit for whatever reason. So we need to just wait and see.

Agreed (especially) defence and midfield need to be looked and new blood needs to be identified. And this does need to be done sooner rather than later, but the management of EOB needs to be finalised first. Not sure if they are continuing or if the tenure is finished. I can't remember if they were given a two year term or what? Maybe somebody could clear that up. Management first, then readdress some major playing issues.

David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 03/08/2010 15:26:32    734343

The thing about Harrington was that he didnt look fit ...
A great defender on his day and fully fit but i just thought he was off the pace hence his showing against J.P Rooney and against Kildare

stfechin (Meath) - Posts: 74 - 03/08/2010 15:30:48    734349

i think harro is just not good enough i was stunned 2 c him reappear after half time sunday.anthony moyles was a great servent but when ur time is up its up.must b very hard for the forwards to c the simple mistakes being made at the back.kildare made changes in the game sunday when it was needed dont no why we cant i taught after 25 mins sunday harro was been roasted and was wondering was i the only 1 that could c this.i would like 2 c next year dalton reilly o connor burke mcguinness and either o brien r kenny.meade an other reilly joe d bray s bray s o rouke queeney.for me ward has 2 many poor games 2 justify his selstion every game.its easy go on here and give out like i do i dont like running down our own lads like harro and wardy just an opinion but 2 move forward i believe we need new blood.a final thanks 2 the team and mentors for all there effort this year.allready looking forward to defending our leinster crown next year.

7stars (Meath) - Posts: 94 - 03/08/2010 16:26:59    734469

I know its early days trying to pick a team for 2011, but here we need to look forward. Now, it will be interesting what comes through the remaining games in the championship, prospective players know there are places up for grabs.
I think EOB deserves another year, he got us to a all-ireland semi-final last year and delivered a leinster this year. I think it might be an idea to rest a couple of lads for the early rounds of the league and o'byrne cup, try different things. We know what they can do, changes are needed. It may also be an idea to bring someone different into the backroom team- fresh ideas?

In my opinion the problem areas (as everyone knows) are corner back, half back line, and a midfielder. Im assuming Moyles will go, but would like to see Crawford stay for another year, even for his experience alone. I think Brendan Murphy is a better keeper, and would have him instead of O'Rourke, as long as he sticks around. Ward also cannot be carried anymore. Harrington is a great player, but it wouldn't hurt to try something new. Here goes!

1. P.O Rourke- Will grow into the role, he's young, and has alot more positives to his game than negatives.

2. C. Mc Gill- Has played there before, needs to be given another chance.
3. K O'Reilly- Injury free, easily best full-back in the county
4. C. O'Connor- Works so hard, and can chip in with a few scores.

5. S.Kenny- His natural position, can still mop up on the breaking ball, and his positive running would be a change from the backward running of Moyles and King.
6. B.Menton- Strength is what we need around the middle. He is young, but needs to be given the chance
7. C.Lenehen- One to watch, good minor, interesting to see if he could make te step up.

8. N.Crawford- Experience alone
9. S. O'Rourke- Has the height, and ball handling skills, maybe worth a look at?

10. P.Byrne- With Kenny from the half-back line, byrne will be the other ball winner on the breaking ball
11. J. Sheridan- Let him drift, he has shown he can take a score from distance. Swapping with Queeny.
12. G.Reilly- Find of the season. Be interesting to see if he can produce it again next season. Has pace!!!

13. S.Bray- Creates so much, ppl give out about his scoring, but he creates so much.
14. J.Queeny- Played well last year in the league, should have got more of a run. Can contribute to frees?
15. D.Bray- Lethal in front of goal- dependant on how he recovers from injury

Skryne81 (Meath) - Posts: 15 - 03/08/2010 17:52:56    734608

1. Brendan Murphy... One of the best in the Country
2. Davy Dalton... all the talk and no sign in championship
3. Kevin Reilly.... Solid
4. Shane McAnarney..... Very Strong and has pace
5. Seamus Kenny..... Our half backs need him
6. Cormac McGuinness...... Moyles boots hung up once and for all
7. William Carry(Drumbaragh) former Minor unbelievable pace and would stick to any man like glue
8. Conor Gillespie..... Potential to be a great
9. Brian Meade...... very dtrong and a good Footballer
10. Peader Byrne.... What went wrong this year fell off the radar we need his work ethic
11. Joe Sheridan........ No need for change
12. Graham Reilly........ No need for change
13. Stephen Bray......... No need for change
14. Shane O'Rourke........ No need for change
15. Cian Ward.......... No need for change

snowchance10 (USA) - Posts: 149 - 03/08/2010 19:15:58    734705

Think we might need a few bowsies for te team next year. The current model is too nice and It seems most teams like playing against us because we are seen to be a ball playing team. Have to work at a win at all costs mentality.

jacky-jack (Meath) - Posts: 290 - 03/08/2010 21:51:28    734941

A dose of reality please. Yes Meath were poor on Sunday but nobody died, lets be realistic at the start of this championship season how many of ye thought Meath would win a leinster (despite the controversial end to final the fact is we won it). I believe that meaths target this season was to win a leinster and it was achieved. Now following on from this who thought we would win the all ireland in all honesty. I dont think that on sunday gone at 3.55 Pm many were calling fore a different team to take the field were there. We go 1-03 to 0-00 up everyone is happy. In the second half Kildare dominated and ran out deserving winners and bang players who have earned their spots over the last 18 months should be dropped and wait for it.......bring back players who over taht period could not make the cut. A lot of Meath people seem to believe that we have a god given right to win an all ireland cos we are Meath but we dont. Posters looking for David Bray to start dont seem to remember that the man was totally off form prior to injury and our forward unit were the best thing since sliced bread after the Dubs match. Give the lads credit for giving us a successful year, ie we have a cup more than 29 other teams will have this season.

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1507 - 03/08/2010 21:55:15    734954

We need pace and aggression in our half-back line.
I know McGuinness isn't fast but he is the type of player we need at 6.
I'd put Gary O'Brien and Seamus Kenny either side of him.
I'd like to see Dalton get a good run at corner back and juicy in the other corner with reilly at FB.
I thought Reilly was very hard done by with a lot of soft frees on Sunday but he's definitely our best option at 3.
I'd bring Peader in at wing forward.
I think hard decisions have to be made with regard to Cian Ward and Stephen Bray unfortunately.
Players have to be given time playing together.
We have to aim to win promotion.
Also, I'd like to thank Eamon O'Brien for all his hard work but it's time for a new voice.
We need a progressive coach who understands how to use his squad and can respond to the different tactical scenarios he will face from game to game.
This is the team I'd like to see as the league unfolds.

1. P O'Rourke
2. D Dalton
3. K Reilly
4. C O'Connor
5. G O'Brien
6. C McGuinness
7. S Kenny
8. N Crawford
9. B Meade
10. P Byrne
11. J Sheridan
12. G Reilly
13. D Bray
14. S O'Rourke
15. J. Queeney

Coylers Elbow (Meath) - Posts: 1075 - 04/08/2010 11:25:49    735222

1. Paddy O'Rourke/Brendan Murphy (If Murphy retires iwould go with O'Rourke but if he stays on for another year i would go with him)
2. Davy Dalton
3. Kevin Rielly
4. Cormac McGill
5. Seamus Kenny
6. Cormac McGuiness
7. Brian Menton/Gary O'Brien
8. Nigel Crawford
9. Brian Meade
10.Peader Byrne/Paddy Smith/Brian Sheridan
11. Joe Sheridan
12. Graham Rielly
13. David Bray/Cian Ward
14. Shane O'Rourke
15. Steven Bray

Other players who should be brought into the panel are,Sean Curran, Ciaran Lenehan, Donal Keoghan, Alan Nestor, Brian Sheridan, Damien Carrol and maybe a few others.

12Royal (Meath) - Posts: 987 - 04/08/2010 16:10:26    735870

just shows how clueless some people are on this hogan stand. harrington was meaths best player over the past 2 years and he had 2 bad games this year and he is dropped. meath fans must think shane o'rourke makes the sun shine... stephan brays confidence is in his socks only 1 good game this year. how everyone is forgeting about brian farrell he played 10 minutes in the league and scored 1-2. came on 4 the last few minutes against offaly and scored a point and was very harsh 2 be taken off against loais. and he proved his point against dublin and didnt get another minute of football. in my eyes the management have alot to answer for this season.

navan10 (Meath) - Posts: 53 - 04/08/2010 16:38:40    735908