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Meath V Derry: All Ireland Round 2 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Royalio11: "I'm glad you asked as other posters previously asked that I have more cop on before I post about Meath or give an opinion.
Unfortunately, my views haven't changed since walking out of Tullamore back in April. That was the line in the sand for me in 2026. People didn't like the hard facts then but it was obvious that the players, line and game approach was not good enough.
Tomorrow's game counts for little really. We lose and it just reaffirms that Championship 2026 has been a bitter bitter disappointment going 0 / 3 with a lot of soul searching to be done before a very important 2027. A win, while welcome, would really only prolong the inevitable until we are being exposed to a team with a direct running brand of ball who can push up/overload on kicklouts (thats how you beat Meath).
Derry have the cut of a wounded beast. In saying that at least they have recent provincial honours and a Div 1 league title to justify a place at top table. I'd take your arm for what they won and experienced in the last few seasons. They have just flattened out so fast and its probably more a reflection on internal affairs than anything else.
I don't see it being more than 3-4 points barring one team pulling an exhibition of scoring. Either team can win on the day and have the players to mix it. Despite Meath not learning from their obvious failures they could still produce some magic somewhere. It will come down to heart and attitude as to who wants it more.
Gun to head, I say Derry win on the basis of having home advantage, late throw in on a Saturday evening and our brutal record across the border." Disagree that a win counts for nothing. Tullamore was a sliding doors moment - we got caught on the hop by a team who was well prepared and it turns out are much better than anyone predicted having gone unbeaten since. That led to having to play Cork away which is always a tough fixture and now another tough away fixture. I think a win today would show that this team still has serious ambitions albeit by no means the finished article. There is a lot of work to be done before next season and I think the reality is that it might take 2-3 years before we can expect to challenge the top 3/4 teams.
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - 13/06/2026 08:45:50
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Meath V Derry: All Ireland Round 2 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Royalio11: "I'm glad you asked as other posters previously asked that I have more cop on before I post about Meath or give an opinion.
Unfortunately, my views haven't changed since walking out of Tullamore back in April. That was the line in the sand for me in 2026. People didn't like the hard facts then but it was obvious that the players, line and game approach was not good enough.
Tomorrow's game counts for little really. We lose and it just reaffirms that Championship 2026 has been a bitter bitter disappointment going 0 / 3 with a lot of soul searching to be done before a very important 2027. A win, while welcome, would really only prolong the inevitable until we are being exposed to a team with a direct running brand of ball who can push up/overload on kicklouts (thats how you beat Meath).
Derry have the cut of a wounded beast. In saying that at least they have recent provincial honours and a Div 1 league title to justify a place at top table. I'd take your arm for what they won and experienced in the last few seasons. They have just flattened out so fast and its probably more a reflection on internal affairs than anything else.
I don't see it being more than 3-4 points barring one team pulling an exhibition of scoring. Either team can win on the day and have the players to mix it. Despite Meath not learning from their obvious failures they could still produce some magic somewhere. It will come down to heart and attitude as to who wants it more.
Gun to head, I say Derry win on the basis of having home advantage, late throw in on a Saturday evening and our brutal record across the border." I'll use polarising this time instead of extreme.
Were you at the Cork game, or is your view based mainly on the Westmeath game? I thought there were definitely some corrections against Cork, and you could see attempts at tactical changes. They worked for periods, just not for the full 70 minutes. They're still too open at the back though and we are currently working with a limited deck for defenders( price you pay for targeting promotion I think)
I honestly think we were peaking during the league, which maybe gave a false sense that we'd really pushed on from last year. As a collective, I'm not sure we have. Individually, though, I think there have been improvements. The goalkeeper looks better, and midfield and attack had definitely improved.( On a slide now)
The biggest difference I see compared to last year is that the forwards and midfielders aren't winning turnovers at the same rate. Costello, Menton, Kinsella and Duke were excellent at getting the ball back around the midfield and half-back areas, and we're not seeing that same impact this year. Is that complacency with being favourites for games?
I agree that if we're drawn against one of the top Division 1 teams, it could be a long night.
But I'd disagree that today's game counts for nothing. We're not a county that can be like "win it all or don't bother"
royalcounty1 (Meath) - 13/06/2026 09:38:49
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