Have not went forward as far as people wanted when appointed but definitely improved on what went before. Fitness has improved hugely and the the team play to the end of the match. Maybe it will be time for change at the end of season but we should hold off on this discussion until our season is over.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1354 - 14/06/2021 18:41:16    2350901

He took on a job that was no easy task and he has brought a marked improvement in fitness and conditioning, getting us to Division 1 for the first time in 14 years was an achievement as was getting to the Super 8's but we appear to have flatlined this year, I know it hasn't been an easy year for anyone but the lack of intensity in the game yesterday for long periods was most disappointing, this was our big game where a goal could be achieved, a swift return to Division 1 would have had most supporters happy with the year but we fell down horrendously performance wise, in fairness from what I've heard he acknowledged that and I don't mind him bringing up the alleged spitting incident at all, if that act was carried out it's a disgrace and there is no place for it, I don't blame McGill for reacting the way he did if that happened. I agree that McEntee has shown loyalty to some players I honestly don't believe are up to being on the starting 15, there were 3 men on the bench I believed should have started yesterday on form shown, I was also annoyed with the team selection v Mayo, go out to win every game, we aren't in a position to adopt such an attitude to games as we showed v Mayo and now from what looked like a promising position we go into the championship on the back of a hiding from Mayo and a wretched performance v Kildare, therefore I believe that warrants questions being asked, I have nothing but admiration for Andy, as true, hardworking and as dedicated a Meath man as you will see but I have found myself disagreeing with his decisions in recent weeks, we were so flat for so long yesterday it was hard to believe e we were playing in a game where something was at stake, unless a Lazarus type miracle occurs in the championship he may well need to examine where he is going, and I hate saying that but we appear to have stalled badly.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 14/06/2021 20:32:54    2350944

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 224 - 14/06/2021 21:42:45    2350970

I am by no means Andy Mcs biggest fan, but i am torn on whether he needs to go or not.
like everyone else I was disgusted by what i watched on sunday. such a gutless, meek and casual meath performance and attitude on there biggest match of the season was hard to understand. We will never get an easier route back to Div 1, it will be a tougher route than Westmeath, Down and kildare in future.

A lot was made over our promotion 'back' to division 1 two seasons ago. I always felt that was overplayed, a number of counties have had a year or 2 in div 1 over the last 5 years that hasnt really stood to them or made them in to a top level or top 6 team. Cavan, Kildare and Down have been Div 1 in last 5 years and havent made any giant strides in that time (fluke ulster last year aside for cavan) the real importance is cementing your place there a la monaghan or making yourself a regular there like Roscommon . Now we may get there next year but i wouldnt be confident.

Under Andy fitness and strength and conditioning seems to have improved. We also seem to beat the weaker counties we would expect to beat (longford 18 aside) regularly.

However Andy and management have failed on a number of levels.
our GK, kickout issues and lack of free taker has been stressed to death on this forum, to think were no closer to solving it this far into managements tenure is criminal and a serious dereliction of duties by Andy and co. without your own kickouts and a high percentage free taker we are going nowhere.
As was also stated some players seem to have regressed, while others seem to be automatic starters whilst doing very little by way of performance to suggest they deserve their spot.
Performances like sunday unfortunately are not a first under this management team. Obviously we cannot expect to beat dublin, but our last 2 leinster final dislplays alongside sundays were as weak and insipid displays as we've seen from the much maligned MOD and Banty years. We are a soft team and the lack of fight or nastiness in us is heartbreaking.
The episode with the meath chronicle reporter a few tears back was a disgrace and his post match episodes with referess have often been ugly. A county manager is meant to reflect his team and county.

The big question is though, is there a better alternative out there for Meath manager. im a big believer in only changing manager if your convinced its an upgrade. Bernard Flynn has no managerial experience so giving him senior job would be lunacy. Colm O'Rourke has done a good job with simonstown but i doubt he would be interested at this stage. Perhaps Davy Nelson deserves a crack, but again that not an obvious upgrade. Id imagine with the stadium upgrade/fiasco there wont be funds for an outside manager (although i think one could be needed). I seen Kevin Reilly mentioned on another thread, again hasnt proven anything in management so i'd steer clear of these names and other twitter managers.
I do believe if there is an outstanding candidate that we can get, then Andy should step aside.

Meathmaverick (Meath) - Posts: 106 - 15/06/2021 00:02:47    2351018

Ordinarily I don't like discussing potential managers while we have one in place, have said that Meath will need to move quickly to make a good appointment if Mc Entee departs at the end of this year.

To Mc Entees credit some aspects such as fitness and strength and conditioning have improved, but the chopping and changing of goalkeepers and free takers has been terrible.

Malachy O' Rourke anyone? Made Monaghan in to a serious competitive team with a limited playing pool.
If Louth could entice Mickey Harte we should be looking for a big name appointment.

Thunderstruck (Meath) - Posts: 467 - 15/06/2021 12:28:27    2351112

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 15/06/2021 12:51:10    2351124

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 15/06/2021 14:03:10    2351143

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 934 - 15/06/2021 14:17:08    2351149

Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 350 - 15/06/2021 14:36:19    2351158

Give Andy another year enough of all this nonsense talk, pre covid world we were clearly making strides, the man cant catch a break either, Ronan Jones and Shane Walsh easily 2 of our best players break bones before the league even starts. The man bleeds green blood and his passion for Meath to do well is unmatched

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 402 - 15/06/2021 14:37:19    2351159

Meath10 (Meath) - Posts: 183 - 15/06/2021 15:05:10    2351163

Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1318 - 15/06/2021 17:07:12    2351205

Would Cian Ward make a good manager in future?

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1790 - 15/06/2021 17:47:04    2351214

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 15/06/2021 17:47:13    2351215

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 384 - 15/06/2021 18:01:05    2351222

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 402 - 15/06/2021 23:31:19    2351321

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 402 - 15/06/2021 23:43:01    2351322

You all seem to be ignoring the fact that the majority of our players are very average. You would swear mcentee has caused a bunch of all stars to regress. He has made loads of mistakes, but I would say they have easily been outweighed by individual errors by players on the pitch. It's hard to believe some of the names yee lads throw out. 6 dublin lads so far???? Do yee honestly think the meath county board will appoint a dub as manager,and frankly as a meath man, I wouldn't either. yee are funny, I'll give you that. Whether you like it Andy is here to stay for the future, you can and will keep complaining, but unless your totally ignorant to how the meath county board operate and how links are to sponsors etc, you may just accept it and try make some possitive suggestions on here, cause I'm sure mcentee always pops into meath forums from time to time to see what you say so that he can use it to better his team the following Sunday, and maybe learn something about management himself.

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 890 - 16/06/2021 07:55:35    2351337

Borderroyal (Meath) - Posts: 488 - 16/06/2021 10:14:13    2351363

Every manager eventually needs to move on. When this happens it brings new impetus and hope to the team . With the right man in charge you get a few years of improvement and then it normally becomes stale. This is what has happened with Andy Mc. Its now his natural time to leave office. Did a great job initially but now both him and the team are stale. As the saying goes " insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." I don't believe anyone on this forum believes this years team is better than last years or the year before. We are stale at best going nowhere. A new manager gives hope with different thinking and tactics and Meath football needs this.

Poormouth (Meath) - Posts: 204 - 16/06/2021 10:58:27    2351373