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Replying To brian: "So I wanted to take a bit of time after the Dublin match and no post based on emotion and see how we got on v Louth and try to be balanced.
Firstly congratulations to Louth, fully deserved victory for them. Better team, better coached and managed, organised, fitter, faster, harder and stronger at every turn on Sunday. They were full value for their win and wouldn't have been flattered winning by a few more.
Secondly Meath have progressed this year and we'll done to Robbie and his team. There's better structure about them, they do seem fitter and better organised, but Sunday showed a lot of the faults of recent years are still there and Robbie isn't immune from criticism. Eoghan Frayne said straight after the Dublin match, if we don't back this up and win the next day this result counts for nothing (or similar wording) , and unfortunately that's what has happened. It's easy to comment and gloat after a victory, but it's in defeat you see the go character of the team. We play Cork in 10 days and let's hope the 30+ thousand folks who were there Sunday pack out Pairc Tailteann.
Before getting into the game, anyone blaming referees for easy frees etc, have a rewatch. The penalty and final free whilst soft, were fouls. You can't push a guy over which Keogy did, and Caulfield (I think ) had a hold of the Louth players arm in the two man tackle that resulted in Mulroys 2 point free. Both were correct decisions. And we got some as well. The 50+ yard brought forward which resulted in Billy Hogan's second two pointer was also soft, and the recall in the second minute for Keith Curtis and a mark I think, was very soft. He played on, and shouldn't have been recalled.
Meath we're the better team in the first half but were repeatedly cut open and gave up easy goals. That our central corridor was that open shows Rafferty and Coffey aren't central players. Teams should be fearful trying to go down that route.. and Louth aren't… imagine what Clifford will be like in a few weeks seeing that coverage. You can't allow your central corridor to be that exposed. The burns goal was well worked and Hogan was too easily beaten, and I could see Lennon was going down the middle for goal from my seat in the lower Hogan.. yet our lads stood off him… Hogan again easily beaten.. and this is why I still am undecided about him as a keeper… he doesn't do the basics of goalkeepeing well… for us to advance collectively we need to be more solid at 3&6.. Rafferty might be a decent player but a full back he isn't, Cofffey is a great player but again not a centre half back. For me Adam O'Neill has to come back into this team at 3 or 6. How he was ignored on Sunday after his performance against Dublin is incomprehensible.
The second half Louth utterly dominated the game. They never looked like they were panicked. Midfield were again cleaned out, Durnin beat Flynn and Menton on his own. Billy hogan never varied his kick out, and with no one able to win a breaking ball we had no primary possession. It's hard to win a game from that platform. You'd hope in two weeks that they can make some adjustments there. Unfortunately they have to make a change at midfield, it's not working and you'll be playing some of the best combos in the country in Cork, Roscommon and Kerry. A fetcher be in Grey or McBride needs to come in and try and catch balls at least. We also need a few guys that are going to stick their heads in and win breaking ball. Personally I'd have James McEntee in ahead of Keith Curtis the next day.
That the sideline watched Billy hogan keep kicking the ball towards them in the second half and Durnin win every ball and not make a change is unacceptable. We beat Dublin by winning their kick outs and dismantled their strategy, well Louth gave us a taste of that medicine. Surely if you bring in Daithi McGowan at FF, you could've brought him in around the middle to fetch balls, I dunno what Shane Walsh role was supposed to be but the bench bar a point from a half fit Jordan Morris had little impact. Again that Adam O'Neill saw no action is baffling.
Croke Park again unfortunately swallowed up a few players and changes need to be made now before we get to Roscommon and Kerry. This group is a killer and we might not get a point from. Roscommon today are better team than we played in the league. Cork beat us in Robbie's first game but hopefully we can turn that over and see how we do. Kerry if we don't smarten up defensively will have us beaten in 10 minutes. We simply can't be as naive and leave central corridors as open as we did, Kerry will annihilate any team giving them that much freedom.
Louth had this game sown up from the mulroy 2 pointer, they controlled possession for the 8 minutes after mattie Costello's goal. They did the same to us in iniskeen during the league. We have to figure out ways to press and push up or other teams will stroke the ball about in front of you for 10 minutes and close games out. It's an aspect of the rules I'm disappointed the FRC haven't looked at… but when you see Jim Gavin on a committee who's team did that for years why would he look to change the rule.
Where to from here.. hopefully the lessons learned will be worked on, some personnel changes have to be made and let's see what awaits the next day." Some fair points, some context needed too tho. Firstly Meath will learn from this, average age of the team Sunday 23, must be one of the youngest teams in the country, well ahead of what we all expected development wise. You are right about Menton, he was gassed on 50 and Jack didn't last much longer. I fully expect Grey to figure in the all Ireland series if he can stay injury free. Lastly if you watched the game back you would have seen numerous turnovers throughout the game identical to the 1 just after Mattys goal. I can think of about 8 off the top of my head, the ref can't just turn around and start blowing them as fouls then in the last 10 minutes, consistency is all we want.
southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1003 - 14/05/2025 20:40:04
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Three days later and starting to come to terms with the defeat. Some thoughts here.
Firstly, what a great occasion and atmosphere in Croke Park. The parade alone was electric. Great to see the green and gold out in such numbers. I just hope the supporters stick with the team for the next three games and hopefully beyond.
Louth just about deserved to win. As much as it pains me to say it. Yes there was a very soft free at the end for the two pointer and a borderline penalty. Not many games will be won after conceding three goals in a first half. The third goal killed us.
We had an excellent spell just before half time and it should have led the way to us controlling the game but the second half showed we have much to improve on. Obvious area being midfield with no strength in depth once Jones is out. Work needed on the spine of the team, far too often Louth ran through us or found space and that killed us more than any individual mistake or piece of play. That's not just an individual 3 or 6 problem it's a collective failing of defensive shape. How to address some of these shortcomings? The manager knows the players best and there must be a reason why midfield wasn't freshened up in the second half. I think Coffey adds more at wing back. Would like to see Keogan at 6. And it would be great to get Conor Gray back in a Meath jersey.
Louth were more battle hardened. In the last 20-25 minutes when the heat was on they had the muscle memory. Our substitutions didn't work but I fully acknowledge the manager has to try something. Costello's goal was magic and had us dreaming. Sadly it wasn't to be.
Without wanting to be overly negative, credit to the players and coaching staff for the improvements this year. This is the first big day in Croke Park for many of this team. It will stand to them although I expect it will be hard to get back on the horse and get the heads right in the immediate near term. Cork will be exceptionally difficult. But not beyond us and I'd put Roscommon in the same bracket. First things first get the win over Cork and we go from there.
men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2016 - 14/05/2025 21:30:00
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When will Jones be back does anyone know
Royal.Legend (Meath) - Posts: 719 - 15/05/2025 08:49:29
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Replying To men_of_49: "Three days later and starting to come to terms with the defeat. Some thoughts here.
Firstly, what a great occasion and atmosphere in Croke Park. The parade alone was electric. Great to see the green and gold out in such numbers. I just hope the supporters stick with the team for the next three games and hopefully beyond.
Louth just about deserved to win. As much as it pains me to say it. Yes there was a very soft free at the end for the two pointer and a borderline penalty. Not many games will be won after conceding three goals in a first half. The third goal killed us.
We had an excellent spell just before half time and it should have led the way to us controlling the game but the second half showed we have much to improve on. Obvious area being midfield with no strength in depth once Jones is out. Work needed on the spine of the team, far too often Louth ran through us or found space and that killed us more than any individual mistake or piece of play. That's not just an individual 3 or 6 problem it's a collective failing of defensive shape. How to address some of these shortcomings? The manager knows the players best and there must be a reason why midfield wasn't freshened up in the second half. I think Coffey adds more at wing back. Would like to see Keogan at 6. And it would be great to get Conor Gray back in a Meath jersey.
Louth were more battle hardened. In the last 20-25 minutes when the heat was on they had the muscle memory. Our substitutions didn't work but I fully acknowledge the manager has to try something. Costello's goal was magic and had us dreaming. Sadly it wasn't to be.
Without wanting to be overly negative, credit to the players and coaching staff for the improvements this year. This is the first big day in Croke Park for many of this team. It will stand to them although I expect it will be hard to get back on the horse and get the heads right in the immediate near term. Cork will be exceptionally difficult. But not beyond us and I'd put Roscommon in the same bracket. First things first get the win over Cork and we go from there." Yeh I imagine repair work on defence will be attended to like defenders defending with no free passes to attack for opposition .Man marking is vital in defence still , . otherwise why call it defence? I think that mindset will be reset and re - enforced. Midfield is weak and requires repair work. Selectors best know the options available.but breaking ball results have to be improved in our favour. I expect players will be primed to improve in response time here in mindset . All basic coaching stuff It seems players are playing with belief now and just highlighting mistakes and corrective action taken in training is all that's needed. We know we need about 2 players to make 15 at the standard required. Who are they? not obvious as far as i know, and again have to trust selectors here .Training sessions focussed on what we need to improve on immediately is all we can control for now. But again significant progress in just 6 months Well done to all !
nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1288 - 15/05/2025 10:17:17
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Replying To Royal.Legend: "When will Jones be back does anyone know" Think I read his season for Meath is over. He was rushed back for Dublin and a re aggravated the injury.
It's a pity but such is life.
O'Neill did a job v Dublin with Flynn out so is an option. Grey hasn't been match fit since 2023, that's another, Mcbride hasn't shown his full range yet in green, maybe he's an option, McGowan is better at wing forward but he's a midfield option. Its probably too early for Mcivor from this years 20's and Kinlough being out for the season is another option gone. Maybe next year kinlough in midfield with Kinsella at 11 might work better?? would suit their strengths, I know Sean Emmanuel was in and around things this year, will he come into the mix next year? Maybe not at midfield but another huge guy in the half forward line, and he's able to take a score??
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1994 - 15/05/2025 13:16:33
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Replying To men_of_49: "Three days later and starting to come to terms with the defeat. Some thoughts here.
Firstly, what a great occasion and atmosphere in Croke Park. The parade alone was electric. Great to see the green and gold out in such numbers. I just hope the supporters stick with the team for the next three games and hopefully beyond.
Louth just about deserved to win. As much as it pains me to say it. Yes there was a very soft free at the end for the two pointer and a borderline penalty. Not many games will be won after conceding three goals in a first half. The third goal killed us.
We had an excellent spell just before half time and it should have led the way to us controlling the game but the second half showed we have much to improve on. Obvious area being midfield with no strength in depth once Jones is out. Work needed on the spine of the team, far too often Louth ran through us or found space and that killed us more than any individual mistake or piece of play. That's not just an individual 3 or 6 problem it's a collective failing of defensive shape. How to address some of these shortcomings? The manager knows the players best and there must be a reason why midfield wasn't freshened up in the second half. I think Coffey adds more at wing back. Would like to see Keogan at 6. And it would be great to get Conor Gray back in a Meath jersey.
Louth were more battle hardened. In the last 20-25 minutes when the heat was on they had the muscle memory. Our substitutions didn't work but I fully acknowledge the manager has to try something. Costello's goal was magic and had us dreaming. Sadly it wasn't to be.
Without wanting to be overly negative, credit to the players and coaching staff for the improvements this year. This is the first big day in Croke Park for many of this team. It will stand to them although I expect it will be hard to get back on the horse and get the heads right in the immediate near term. Cork will be exceptionally difficult. But not beyond us and I'd put Roscommon in the same bracket. First things first get the win over Cork and we go from there." Borderline Penalty? Every referee in the country would give it and most Meath fans see that as well a clear push with Two hands. Best of luck in the group games.
clutch (Louth) - Posts: 14 - 15/05/2025 19:41:37
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Being at the game I was surprised after Louth got ahead with 5 minutes remaining how the game finished.
I was amazed how, generally speaking, for most of the last 5 minutes Louth seemed to find it easy to hold the ball.
I thought with the new rules this should be a harder and more dangerous thing to do than previous years, it seemed more dangerous when this tactic was tried at the end of the Ulster final.
In the late stage of the game, without scoring we were going to lose so there was nothing to lose even if they got in behind us for a goal.
Considering we were behind should we have went for broke and pushed up on them more ?
Maybe this is something we should take on board if we are involved in a close game for the remainder of the season?.
GreenMan1987 (Meath) - Posts: 73 - 15/05/2025 19:48:51
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Replying To GreenMan1987: "Being at the game I was surprised after Louth got ahead with 5 minutes remaining how the game finished.
I was amazed how, generally speaking, for most of the last 5 minutes Louth seemed to find it easy to hold the ball.
I thought with the new rules this should be a harder and more dangerous thing to do than previous years, it seemed more dangerous when this tactic was tried at the end of the Ulster final.
In the late stage of the game, without scoring we were going to lose so there was nothing to lose even if they got in behind us for a goal.
Considering we were behind should we have went for broke and pushed up on them more ?
Maybe this is something we should take on board if we are involved in a close game for the remainder of the season?." Watched the game again last night, as a neutral with a leaning to Louth in the circumstances it must be said.
On second viewing, Meath left a big opportunity behind them. Louth 3 goals in the first half and still went into HT in arrears. Meath's forward play in those bursts was excellent but they only did it for 20 mins in the game.
Jack Flynn lorded it for 50 and then collapsed, and Menton went missing which is most unlike him. I genuinely forgot he was on the field in the second half. Surely a change could have been made in that area- 15 minutes out of Ronan Jones could have swung it. Whisper it quietly too, but Martin McNally gave Louth a fair bit of favour in tackle situations down the stretch, however Meath just didn't give him enough decisions to make.
Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1236 - 16/05/2025 10:45:28
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Replying To Eddie the Exile: "Watched the game again last night, as a neutral with a leaning to Louth in the circumstances it must be said.
On second viewing, Meath left a big opportunity behind them. Louth 3 goals in the first half and still went into HT in arrears. Meath's forward play in those bursts was excellent but they only did it for 20 mins in the game.
Jack Flynn lorded it for 50 and then collapsed, and Menton went missing which is most unlike him. I genuinely forgot he was on the field in the second half. Surely a change could have been made in that area- 15 minutes out of Ronan Jones could have swung it. Whisper it quietly too, but Martin McNally gave Louth a fair bit of favour in tackle situations down the stretch, however Meath just didn't give him enough decisions to make." Ronan Jones is injured and wasn't on the bench so would be hard to get 15 minutes out of him for starters. Jack Flynn lording it for 50 minutes is a massive stretch. But I agree him a menton went out of it 2nd half. We needed to get some energy around the middle even for the breaks.
Hickey O'Neill or even James Mac I'd have brought on for that energy around the breaking ball battle which proved crucial in the 2nd half and us losing that battle was a key factor in us losing the game because we couldn't get hands on ball from either teams kick outs.
Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1079 - 16/05/2025 11:49:18
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Replying To Eddie the Exile: "Watched the game again last night, as a neutral with a leaning to Louth in the circumstances it must be said.
On second viewing, Meath left a big opportunity behind them. Louth 3 goals in the first half and still went into HT in arrears. Meath's forward play in those bursts was excellent but they only did it for 20 mins in the game.
Jack Flynn lorded it for 50 and then collapsed, and Menton went missing which is most unlike him. I genuinely forgot he was on the field in the second half. Surely a change could have been made in that area- 15 minutes out of Ronan Jones could have swung it. Whisper it quietly too, but Martin McNally gave Louth a fair bit of favour in tackle situations down the stretch, however Meath just didn't give him enough decisions to make." Agree about Jack Flynn, for a lot of the game he caught a lot of ball but I really think whatever injury he had for Dublin caught up with him. Louth had the smarts and it's a young Meath team that's still a bit green that maybe wasn't in the position of a Louth team in 3 Leinster finals in a row. In saying that, this game was there to be won which is disappointing but the hope is we learn from this. Whisper it quietly but Monaghan will beat Louth. Monaghan probably putting in some serious work over the last few weeks after running the form team in the county very close and Louth probably still celebrating.
NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 49 - 16/05/2025 11:55:48
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Replying To NYRoyal: "Agree about Jack Flynn, for a lot of the game he caught a lot of ball but I really think whatever injury he had for Dublin caught up with him. Louth had the smarts and it's a young Meath team that's still a bit green that maybe wasn't in the position of a Louth team in 3 Leinster finals in a row. In saying that, this game was there to be won which is disappointing but the hope is we learn from this. Whisper it quietly but Monaghan will beat Louth. Monaghan probably putting in some serious work over the last few weeks after running the form team in the county very close and Louth probably still celebrating." You would have to wonder about all these midfielders Meath have in reserve Grey, McBride etc. If they are showing anything in training surely RB would throw them in with 20 mins to go when the starting midfielders have started to tire. Louth substituted Andy McDonnell after 47 minutes knowing that at 34 years old he would never stick the pace for 70+ mins.
kingofclubs (Meath) - Posts: 350 - 16/05/2025 12:13:26
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Replying To Blackspot09: "Ronan Jones is injured and wasn't on the bench so would be hard to get 15 minutes out of him for starters. Jack Flynn lording it for 50 minutes is a massive stretch. But I agree him a menton went out of it 2nd half. We needed to get some energy around the middle even for the breaks.
Hickey O'Neill or even James Mac I'd have brought on for that energy around the breaking ball battle which proved crucial in the 2nd half and us losing that battle was a key factor in us losing the game because we couldn't get hands on ball from either teams kick outs." Agree regarding breaking ball but in fairness to the lads it wasn't due to lack of effort.
Looking forward to a right battling performance against Cork. It's in the team to win it!
royalproxy (Meath) - Posts: 51 - 17/05/2025 08:25:51
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Replying To latouche25: "What's all this talk about being gutted nonsense. Keogan gave away the penalty and a number of frees. He is way off the pace as a defender highlighted by the way Lennon ghosted by him for the goal. Menton should have been called ashore before half time he wasn't at the races. The standard of Meaths play was awful unable to win a breaking ball indeed unable to position themselves to win the breaking ball is even more worrying. I think we only scored 1-1 in the last 15 minutes and we expect to win a leinster title some of the posters here need a dose of reality. Were a division 2 league team and played like a division 3 team yesterday. If Brennan couldn't see the glaring inability to win a kickout or a breaking ball then he's a buffer and not up to the job." Menton and Keogan immense today against cork
Centralmeath (Meath) - Posts: 9 - 24/05/2025 19:38:36
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Replying To Centralmeath: "Menton and Keogan immense today against cork" Doesn't change they both had one of their poorest games in Meath jersies versus Louth
Both things can be true at the same time
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1994 - 24/05/2025 23:39:03
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Replying To brian: "Doesn't change they both had one of their poorest games in Meath jersies versus Louth
Both things can be true at the same time" Are you the same lad that didn't rate Rafferty?
Anything you say from now on will be taken with a pinch of salt.
Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 415 - 25/05/2025 13:13:10
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Replying To Centralmeath: "Menton and Keogan immense today against cork" Keoghan wasn't even good yesterday, I know he's a darling amongst us meath fans but can we not judge a performance with an unbiased view? Menton grew into it late.
Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 243 - 25/05/2025 13:58:12
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Replying To Sheridan2010louth: "Keoghan wasn't even good yesterday, I know he's a darling amongst us meath fans but can we not judge a performance with an unbiased view? Menton grew into it late." Can't say I disagree much with your point here. Keoghan was OK but badly caught with overcarrying with his weakness for taking it into tackle. Menton finished well but Martins kickouts played right into his hands. In first half he already looked to be struggling for mobility. If Flynn hadn't taken the knock interesting to know if they would have subbed Menton or Flynn.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 680 - 25/05/2025 14:18:49
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His weakness taking into tackle ?? Don't pay any heed to the last 10 years of him riding tackles anyway lad.
southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1003 - 25/05/2025 19:21:37
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Replying To southmeathgael: "His weakness taking into tackle ?? Don't pay any heed to the last 10 years of him riding tackles anyway lad." He does take it into tackle and you are right he used to be good at side stepping or bursting through but has been caught many times this year including in Leinster final. Perhaps he has just lost a yard. Keoghan rarely looks up and punts a ball forward or even punch pass over a group of players. He just doesn't do it and you won't teach an old dog new tricks. He will always wait for next runner to take it off his shoulder. He has been a great servant and his experience and discipline is still invaluable but he is not perfect.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 680 - 25/05/2025 20:14:29
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Replying To winatallcost: "He does take it into tackle and you are right he used to be good at side stepping or bursting through but has been caught many times this year including in Leinster final. Perhaps he has just lost a yard. Keoghan rarely looks up and punts a ball forward or even punch pass over a group of players. He just doesn't do it and you won't teach an old dog new tricks. He will always wait for next runner to take it off his shoulder. He has been a great servant and his experience and discipline is still invaluable but he is not perfect." Fair points
southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1003 - 26/05/2025 08:50:20
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