Meath Forum

Championship 2026

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Replying To gwanyagudthing:  "Yes, if we're drawn at home it'll be in Croker. Kerry is the one to avoid, all other match ups would be winnable - if we perform. Next game is huge for the lads in terms of confidence. Win and they're back on track. Lose and people will be questioning whether they've been overrated all along."
I think a home game in Croker is key. 4 out of 4 there this year and I'd be confident playing there. Agree though that it's a massive game obviously in the championship but in the overall scheme of things for this team and RB. Just fear confidence will have taken a blow after the last 2 games. We know our forwards will give us a chance whoever we're playing but we somehow need to get tighter at the back. Hopefully Costello will be sharper and lads carrying knocks will be fully fit - thinking Kinsella and Flynn specifically will be able to start as need him around the middle.

NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 142 - 31/05/2026 14:16:30    2676743

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Replying To redser123:  "Heard Liam Kelly has been brought in, outstanding underage career but hasn't really gone to script since. He's still so young, he has the potential to be an important player for Meath if he puts the head down and works hard. Conor Gray has dropped himself off the panel, think he's going to America for the summer."
Saw Liam Kelly played in the 7s in Killarney over the weekend so I don't know if we'll see him play for the seniors this year

Royal.1 (Meath) - Posts: 47 - 31/05/2026 16:36:30    2676775

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Derry away is a tough assignment, they're unbeaten there this year. We'll need to do some major damage during our purple patches in that one.

LowerHogan (Meath) - Posts: 93 - 02/06/2026 08:54:50    2677166

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Derry away is tough no matter how you sugar-coat it, they were impressive there during the league and we'll have to be at our best.

A bit like the Cork game, we are probably favourites if it was in Croke Park, but a tough trip to Derry awaits instead.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 156 - 02/06/2026 10:05:29    2677201

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This is the draw we need instead of the one we'd want.

An away game vs a decent team. We are slight underdogs. This is typically when Meath perform to their best. As stop start as we've been this season, I feel we have a big performance in us yet.

If we'd have gotten Cavan or Kildare we may just be kidding ourselves for another round. A win v Derry might really drive us into another gear.

Go on the Royals.

Spoofer (Meath) - Posts: 66 - 02/06/2026 10:05:56    2677202

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This has all the hallmarks of 2008. A brutal campaign that followed a semi final appearance.

trimmer (Meath) - Posts: 585 - 02/06/2026 10:16:14    2677208

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Replying To LowerHogan:  "Derry away is a tough assignment, they're unbeaten there this year. We'll need to do some major damage during our purple patches in that one."
On paper it's a very tough assignment, probably the toughest draw we could have got after Kerry away. That's what you're up against though if you lose your first two games so we can have no complaints. We have the players to win if they put in a complete performance, just depends on where they are at mentally. Derry didn't really fire a shot against Armagh but will be a different beast at home with the season on the line.

gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 174 - 02/06/2026 10:24:09    2677212

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Replying To trimmer:  "This has all the hallmarks of 2008. A brutal campaign that followed a semi final appearance."
Losing to cork and derry away would not be the same as wexford and limerick. 2008 still the bad season benchmark

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1085 - 02/06/2026 10:36:29    2677219

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Replying To trimmer:  "This has all the hallmarks of 2008. A brutal campaign that followed a semi final appearance."
It's nowhere near 2008 even if we're bet out the gate next week.

Spoofer (Meath) - Posts: 66 - 02/06/2026 10:40:03    2677221

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These games should be at neutral venues. Whatever about the first round both of these teams are coming off the back of a loss and neither should have home advantage. Meath teams always struggled in the North and it would have to a great performance to win up there.

atta (Meath) - Posts: 714 - 02/06/2026 11:20:01    2677242

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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "Derry away is tough no matter how you sugar-coat it, they were impressive there during the league and we'll have to be at our best.

A bit like the Cork game, we are probably favourites if it was in Croke Park, but a tough trip to Derry awaits instead."
Yeah its a brutal draw, especially the fact its in Derry. Given the form we are in and the lack of confidence there will naturally be having lost 3 championship games in a row, I was really hoping for Cavan, Kildare or Dublin, or at least a home draw to anyone but Kerry.

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 427 - 02/06/2026 11:45:44    2677258

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Replying To redser123:  "Yeah its a brutal draw, especially the fact its in Derry. Given the form we are in and the lack of confidence there will naturally be having lost 3 championship games in a row, I was really hoping for Cavan, Kildare or Dublin, or at least a home draw to anyone but Kerry."
The positive is that it wasn't Kerry. The negative is that we really struggle against tactical northern teams. They aren't in the best of form but going to Celtic Park will be very tough.

NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 142 - 02/06/2026 11:52:04    2677261

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Replying To southmeathgael:  "Losing to cork and derry away would not be the same as wexford and limerick. 2008 still the bad season benchmark"
Wexford were are a good team in 2008 in fairness. Made the Leinster final before beating Down and Ulster champions Armagh and giving a decent account of themselves against champions-in-waiting Tyrone in the semi final.

The Limerick game was an utter humiliation though.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1740 - 02/06/2026 12:22:36    2677279

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Replying To redser123:  "Yeah its a brutal draw, especially the fact its in Derry. Given the form we are in and the lack of confidence there will naturally be having lost 3 championship games in a row, I was really hoping for Cavan, Kildare or Dublin, or at least a home draw to anyone but Kerry."
I would only see it as a brutal draw in terms of supporters having to travel to Derry as a venue rather than difficulty of the draw itself. Its a rough journey. Derry are no great shakes but fairly formidable at home. Meath also have had their confidence dented but they will have had 3 weeks to reflect on last outing and improve where ever they can for Derry. This game is winnable but also very losable. A few obvious things to improve on in defence, kickouts and midfield. Team selection and management of substitutions on day extremely important. Everything and everyone has to get it right from now on.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 1009 - 02/06/2026 12:30:00    2677283

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Replying To redser123:  "Yeah its a brutal draw, especially the fact its in Derry. Given the form we are in and the lack of confidence there will naturally be having lost 3 championship games in a row, I was really hoping for Cavan, Kildare or Dublin, or at least a home draw to anyone but Kerry."
It's disappointing to not get a home game, but any away game against Monaghan or Roscommon would have been just as tough as Derry, we absolutely can beat them but it's a tough assignment.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 156 - 02/06/2026 12:31:01    2677284

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Tough draw. Support will be limited. I'll likely go. I actually kind of agree with someone's point these should be neutral but I guess that's the luck element. Home advantage to these two teams is genuinely worth a couple of scores.

I wonder what is the state of the squad now? I found it quite frustrating the amount of chopping and changing before throw in. Now maybe that was all planned but I found it messy.

In a strange way he could revert to the old starting 15 for this one I think.

It's hard to say if menton worked at 6 because he didn't really play there and it looked like it disrupted the kickouts. Menton was caught further out for kickouts that went to the 6 position a few times.

I think if Derry stand off us at all it would be madness. We struggled to secure possession against cork in the second half and it won them the game.

The lads are all still in good form though. Just the team didn't get the result. Some better kickouts and some game management we should win. Costello looked rusty he'll be better, Jack O'Connor should start, he absolutely would have got a two pointer in that first half spell that's the only change I'd make.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 89 - 02/06/2026 13:30:51    2677311

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A tough draw but a great chance for this squad to prove they are a Div 1 team. Derry will bring a lot of physicality so we might need to get a handle on the match ups now so the selection can be based around that.

I think Glass will require the attention of a big strong athletic man so I would be open to seeing RB call back in Harry Ohiggins t do a job on him. Lachlan Murray chipped in with 1-2 at the weekend again Armagh so hes another fella we have to watch. Id say if colm was still involved he'd have the two ryans on him , one in front and one behind and following him to the bathroom if needs be.

I think its important that the lads stick together over the next couple of weeks and maybe have a bit of a trip away to bond before the showdown. Plenty of nights off so the lads can relax and get their heads right. I think if RB has a drinking ban in place he should look into removing it just to give the lads a chance to let their hair down, it did us no harm in the 80s!

RegionalsGuru (Meath) - Posts: 53 - 02/06/2026 14:41:37    2677347

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Replying To RegionalsGuru:  "A tough draw but a great chance for this squad to prove they are a Div 1 team. Derry will bring a lot of physicality so we might need to get a handle on the match ups now so the selection can be based around that.

I think Glass will require the attention of a big strong athletic man so I would be open to seeing RB call back in Harry Ohiggins t do a job on him. Lachlan Murray chipped in with 1-2 at the weekend again Armagh so hes another fella we have to watch. Id say if colm was still involved he'd have the two ryans on him , one in front and one behind and following him to the bathroom if needs be.

I think its important that the lads stick together over the next couple of weeks and maybe have a bit of a trip away to bond before the showdown. Plenty of nights off so the lads can relax and get their heads right. I think if RB has a drinking ban in place he should look into removing it just to give the lads a chance to let their hair down, it did us no harm in the 80s!"
What are you smoking lad

COUNTYTOCOUNTY (Meath) - Posts: 34 - 02/06/2026 15:37:34    2677370

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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "It's disappointing to not get a home game, but any away game against Monaghan or Roscommon would have been just as tough as Derry, we absolutely can beat them but it's a tough assignment."
Fair point, you could argue Derry peaked in 2022/23 and haven't got anywhere near those levels since. I see them more similar to westmeath than cork. Not an amazing bunch of forwards but really strong in defence and midfield. Hope I'm wrong but I just can't see us getting the job done away in Derry.

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 427 - 02/06/2026 16:00:39    2677377

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Replying To atta:  "These games should be at neutral venues. Whatever about the first round both of these teams are coming off the back of a loss and neither should have home advantage. Meath teams always struggled in the North and it would have to a great performance to win up there."
Agree 100% only teams that should have a home draw at this stage is the provincial winners if they won their last game which Westmeath and Armagh have .
Westmeath haven't lost a game and get drawn away to Galway Armagh the same and will end up playing in a club pitch in Monaghan .
The next round is the same open draw home advantage if Meath were to win they could draw the likes of Mayo in castlebar or Cork again and end up back in Cork again . All games in all rounds should be at neutral venues except provincial winners .

Royalmc (Meath) - Posts: 34 - 02/06/2026 16:05:06    2677379

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