Meath Forum

Meath 2026

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Replying To winatallcost:  "Of these McDonnell best realistic prospect if he commits to county football. He has to get chances anf be persevered with though as definitely a better player than many on Meath panel and a good age to improve.

O'Leary always was a good player and perhaps should have been looked at years ago but he is about 28 years old with no county experience.
Corkery and McGiver, leave with U20's. Expected more from McGiver in Junior final.
McConnell a lovely player but very slight. Worth a try but still unsure if physically suited.
Not too sure on Griffin or if Meath really looking for another keeper yet.
Liam Kelly is versatile but does he have the pace to be a corner or half back or the physique to play centrally?
Possibly worth a try."
Rian McConnell is slight but he's the classiest player on this list by far and its hard to teach that, you either have it or you dont in most cases. His fitness levels are off the charts too. For someone so slight he competes awfully well in midfield against fellas much bigger than him.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 263 - 14/10/2025 17:34:58    2639991

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I think there's something to be said for focusing on the lads that have come through the various U21 teams over the past couple of years. As we've seen from the like of Caulfield, Kinsella, Frayne, Duke, they are coming in with good conditioning, attitude and ability. I know Charlie O'Connor and Jamie Murphy is in around the panel, lets see what they can do in O'Byrne cup (I think it's back). Then have a look at McConnell and Killian Smyth from Castletown, the O'Hares from Rathkenny and Rian Stafford from the Wood. Conor McWeeney and Josh Harkin should also be looked at given their form for Kilbride.

GoalsWinGames (Meath) - Posts: 311 - 16/10/2025 11:21:58    2640270

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Rian McConnell is slight but he's the classiest player on this list by far and its hard to teach that, you either have it or you dont in most cases. His fitness levels are off the charts too. For someone so slight he competes awfully well in midfield against fellas much bigger than him."
Yeah I'd agree with that. He's about 6"4, and a lot stronger than he looks. He didn't look out of place against Padraig Harnan who is physical, and he is a great fielder of the ball.

He's a bit casual, which at county level might be a concern, but he certainly has to be in with them this year.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 90 - 16/10/2025 15:01:23    2640311

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Replying To winatallcost:  "Of these McDonnell best realistic prospect if he commits to county football. He has to get chances anf be persevered with though as definitely a better player than many on Meath panel and a good age to improve.

O'Leary always was a good player and perhaps should have been looked at years ago but he is about 28 years old with no county experience.
Corkery and McGiver, leave with U20's. Expected more from McGiver in Junior final.
McConnell a lovely player but very slight. Worth a try but still unsure if physically suited.
Not too sure on Griffin or if Meath really looking for another keeper yet.
Liam Kelly is versatile but does he have the pace to be a corner or half back or the physique to play centrally?
Possibly worth a try."
We're missing a player who can tightly man mark a danger man but also has the pace to burst out and take the ball up the field when the opportunity arises. Someone who can cover ground quickly and make strong runs up the wing that make a difference. Its very simple stuff but Brennan and his team need to focus on this role as its a weak spot we have and you threw out a few names already but i think get half dozen over and give them chance to show there worth.

Holymoly#6 (Meath) - Posts: 32 - 17/10/2025 09:34:48    2640363

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Replying To Holymoly#6:  "We're missing a player who can tightly man mark a danger man but also has the pace to burst out and take the ball up the field when the opportunity arises. Someone who can cover ground quickly and make strong runs up the wing that make a difference. Its very simple stuff but Brennan and his team need to focus on this role as its a weak spot we have and you threw out a few names already but i think get half dozen over and give them chance to show there worth."
Absolutely agree and the few names I threw out were just some that seem to stand out for club championship last couple of years. However other players that have shown really good form in other positions should not be ignored. Interesting to hear Aaron Kernan state that there will be a bit of a shakeup to keep things fresh. Expect everyone that got significant game time last year to be back involved but definitely 5-6 squad places available at least. Likely to be up to 40 players possibly more initially called in and they will probably work with all of those at least until start of league with many new faces tried out in O'Byrne Cup. Match day squads will pick out 26 from there on in but will still need a big squad.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 834 - 17/10/2025 21:29:01    2640465

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when do we know exactly that were definitley playing our home matches in croke park this spring, surely time to be kowing that now if fans wanted to book to stay in town that night after the matches.

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 897 - 22/10/2025 12:02:28    2641077

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Replying To dickie10:  "when do we know exactly that were definitley playing our home matches in croke park this spring, surely time to be kowing that now if fans wanted to book to stay in town that night after the matches."
They'll announce when they normally do which generally happens in Late November. They will all form a double header with Dublin home games, so I'd imagine a lot of Saturday evening fixtures.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 90 - 23/10/2025 16:21:59    2641287

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Replying To dickie10:  "when do we know exactly that were definitley playing our home matches in croke park this spring, surely time to be kowing that now if fans wanted to book to stay in town that night after the matches."
It is already confirmed Meath are in Croke Park, just no actual fixtures released for league yet.

Think it is a terrible idea, zero atmosphere in the place. Would have preferred Mullingar or Paranell Park. Get that the whole point of it is to give the team experience on pitch and logistic for championship days though but they will get no kick from a crowd in the middle of games.

off_the_wall (Roscommon) - Posts: 78 - 24/10/2025 11:41:31    2641364

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Replying To off_the_wall:  "It is already confirmed Meath are in Croke Park, just no actual fixtures released for league yet.

Think it is a terrible idea, zero atmosphere in the place. Would have preferred Mullingar or Paranell Park. Get that the whole point of it is to give the team experience on pitch and logistic for championship days though but they will get no kick from a crowd in the middle of games."
Or even Ashbourne. If we had Cork at home they'd bring zero away support do it possibly could of accommodated that game.

trimmer (Meath) - Posts: 563 - 24/10/2025 16:54:31    2641409

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Replying To off_the_wall:  "It is already confirmed Meath are in Croke Park, just no actual fixtures released for league yet.

Think it is a terrible idea, zero atmosphere in the place. Would have preferred Mullingar or Paranell Park. Get that the whole point of it is to give the team experience on pitch and logistic for championship days though but they will get no kick from a crowd in the middle of games."
Looking like double headers with any Dublin league games in Croke Park next year....

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4702 - 24/10/2025 17:54:54    2641413

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Replying To Fionn:  "Looking like double headers with any Dublin league games in Croke Park next year...."
Expensive so...

Holymoly#6 (Meath) - Posts: 32 - 25/10/2025 13:44:18    2641508

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