National Forum

2019 NFL Division 2 final

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Replying To suckvalleypaddy:  "Meath to win and they will not let go of div 1 next year either, just like Galway. When you claw your way back you do not take it for granted."
I think Meath's lack of success over the past 20 years will see them win this final as Donegal's focus has always been on the championship. The fact Donegal hardly got out of first year and still won promotion says something about the quality of Div 2 this year. Credit to Meath for taking advantage of this and winning promotion. I'd say Meath are closer to the quality of Cavan and Roscommon than Galway and we will see them leaving Div 1 at the end of next years league. (Kerry, Dublin, Tyrone, Mayo, Monaghan, Donegal and Galway) I can't see them being able to get the points required amongst those games. Donagal on the other hand won't make the same mistake as last season when they were unlucky to go down and are more of a Div 1 team than Meath will be despite the title probably heading to Meath on Saturday.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 27/03/2019 20:33:24    2175896

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Donegal are Ulster champions and got a raw deal in the Super 8s. They are a top team, but I think they will be looking more down the line than Meath, who's only realistic chance of silverware this year is this. You would expect them to want it more to keep the upward curve going

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 27/03/2019 22:12:02    2175913

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Replying To sam1884:  "I think Meath's lack of success over the past 20 years will see them win this final as Donegal's focus has always been on the championship. The fact Donegal hardly got out of first year and still won promotion says something about the quality of Div 2 this year. Credit to Meath for taking advantage of this and winning promotion. I'd say Meath are closer to the quality of Cavan and Roscommon than Galway and we will see them leaving Div 1 at the end of next years league. (Kerry, Dublin, Tyrone, Mayo, Monaghan, Donegal and Galway) I can't see them being able to get the points required amongst those games. Donagal on the other hand won't make the same mistake as last season when they were unlucky to go down and are more of a Div 1 team than Meath will be despite the title probably heading to Meath on Saturday."
I think Donegal will be up for this game. Its a national title. Yes the championship is Donegals and Meaths main concern , but this is a young Donegal team. Young teams are always hungry for sucess. In 2011 McGuiness knew the importance of winning the league title in 2011. He was trying to get the winning habit in Croker. In 2014 McGuiness team had won Sam and a few Ulster titles , his main concern was getting Donegal back to an All Ireland final. This is a young team in the early stages of development. Donegal have come into good form recently. Look what they did to kildare last weekend. Donegal are strong favourites and should win. If Meath were to win it would significant win for Meath and leinster football. Leinster football record against Ulster team outside Dublin recently is very poor.

While Meath havent won in Croker since 2014 when we beat kildare in a leinster semi final. We havent played yet under McEntee in Croker in 2017 2018. But we had bad losess in Croker v Dublin in 2014 and 2016 and Westmeath in 2015, our last three games in Croker. Leinster teams outside Dublin have a bad record in Croker recently. kildare havent won in Croker since 2013 only their third win in this decade in Croker. Meath had a few good wins in Croker between 2012 2013 and early 2014. But since then our record has been poor. This is why a victory on Sunday would be massive for Meath also. Donegal have more experience and better record in Croker then Meath recently.

Regards quality of division 2 it was one of the stronger division 2 in years. Regards Donegal getting promoted and not playing well and winning promotion. Donegal are not div 2 team they shouldnt be in divsion 2. They are in top 5 or 6 teams in the country. They won Ulster title very impressively last year. And regards Donegal winning promotion and not playing well. Roscommon last year also won promotion from Division 2 and didnt play well.

Before the league started everyone was saying this was the toughest division 2 in years. Meath getting promoted seems to made people say it was not a tough division. For me thats revision of the highest order. Last years division 2 was weaker. Last year Roscomon Cavan Down and louth were in the division. Donegal and kildare replaced Roscommon and Cavan. Donegal are stronger then both teams and u cud make a case kildare are stronger then both also. Armagh and Fermanagh replaced louth and Down. Armagh are stronger then louth and Down and Fermanagh stronger then Louth and Down.
Donegal are in top 5 or 6 teams in the country. Kildare are in the top ten in the country. Fermanagh reached Ulster final last year beat Monaghan last year won promotion from div 3 and near promotion this year. Meath had their best league in 13 years based on Meaths best defence in a decade. Armagh were strong and hard to beat. Mixing the good with bad. But they were stronger then louth or Down the counties they replaced last year. Down were awful last year and louth lost every match last year. Clare are a couple of seasons in divsion 2 and difficult in to beat Ennis. Cork were poor last year and were poor this year. Tippearey have gone backwards since they reached semi final v Mayo a few years ago.

At the start of the league everyone was saying this was a tough division. Division 2 is never easy to get promoted. 4 teams could have been promoted on the last day showing the competitiveness of the division . When Meath achieve anything win an All Ireland etc anything its always put down devalued or degraded. Division 2 is never easy and this year was no different. Donegal kildare Meath Armagh Fermanagh Clare Cork Tipperary is a stronger division 2 then last years of Roscommon Cavan Meath Louth Down Clare Cork Tippearey.

Regards Meath not staying in div 1. I predicted we would get promoted at the start of this years league on this forum. I also predicted 2 years ago we would improve in McEntees third year in 2019 , I predicted this two years ago on this forum. It wasnt that I was shown great foresight. The signs were there. It takes years to build a team up and many of Meaths best players were going to peak this year as they hit their mid 20s.

Next year Meath will be stronger. Players like James McEntee Shane McEntee Seamus lavin Conor McGill Cillian Sullivan Alan Forde will be all.25 26 and they will be peaking as footballers. Each year everyone of these players are improving. Theres no reason that this will not continue. Meath will have their best midfielder back next year from college in the USA eg Ronan Jones. Meaths best forward Donal lenihan will also be back next year. While Niall kane and Alan Forde will be fully fit from injuries. Meaths young players who are under 21 this year will be stronger next year eg Ronan Ryan Daragh Campion Ethan Devine James Conlon Sean Reilly. And also next year I see can 4 or 5 Under 20 players coming straight into the panel and making an impact . We have some talented players coming through and I could see Shane Walsh Cian McBride ( midfielder) the Dunshaughlin duo of Costello and Mitchell as serious forward prospects. These are best underage talent Meath have produced since Geraghty Fay and Giles and co in the 90s.

Also Meath would not have an inferior complex when playing division 1 teams. Meath have a great record and tradition against the top teams in division 1. We have a very good record v kerry , best record in the country v the Dubs and are Mayos bogey team going back to 1950s. Take Galway. Meath have played Galway many times in Navan in the league, but Galway havent beaten Meath in Navan in 40 years. In the last 5 games with Galway we have lost once. Meath would have notions as county. That sounds arrogant. But Meath definately wouldnt be in awe of the top teams. I have heard many times since Sunday people saying Meath are back were we belong. That is an arrogant comment. But the fact is after kerry and Dublin the team that spent longest in divsion 1 between 1930 to 2000 was Meath. ( League football began in 1930s).

And Navan is a tough place to go. Back in the day Navan was one of the toughest places to go in the country. The Dubs always found it hard to beat Meath in Navan. And in this decade Meath are still hard to beat in Navan. If Meath get 4 games in Navan I give Meath a good chance of staying in the division.

Meath in the past and in McEntees last 2 years , Meath always up their games v the top teams. In the last two year all the top teams the division 1 teams we played we played very well.against and we were eitheir level or ahead in injury time v division 1 teams we played in last two years. The games I am refering we played well v top teams were Galway, Donegal twice , Tyrone , Roscommon, kildare and Dublin ( challenge game ). There is pattern forming under McEntees Meath . Meath up their game v the bigger counties.

So because many of the Meath players will be peaking next year , the return of our best midfielder and best forward next year , introduction of some best talent we have produced since 90s , Meath strong record in Navan , Meaths great tradition and record in divsion 1 football and Meath like Galway will feel like this is where we should be and Meaths ability to up their game v top counties. All the signs are there that Meath will do much better in divsion 1 then people think.

Time will tell. But I do feel there is a quite but strong determination in every level of Meath football to drag Meath back of its knees. It will take time and ups and downs. But I believe the work being done at underage is only beginning and there is determination to get Meath back up to the top table.. It will take time but I do believe the 2020s will be stronger for Meath football then this decade. Already Meath supporters players and management cannot wait to play Dublins kerrys Mayos and Tyrones in next year league. That is a good sign. And its simple the longer u stay in divsion the stronger u get. Hopefully Meath stay will be a long one.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 27/03/2019 23:50:10    2175932

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As I said I don't think it's about who wants it more or anything like that, I think both have achieved their goal, this is a bonus game, however it's also a game neither will want to lose, Meaths back six is perhaps one of the best in country at the moment and the team and game plan is built around it, it's a perfect game to see how it works in Croke Park. Andy will always say that they don't want to lose any game, so I can't see him taking this game lightly. For me the way Meath are playing I'd love the championship to start next week. As I honestly think they would beat anyone at this stage. Meath to win by 2 and give jim something to ponder.
Hon the royal

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/03/2019 07:55:40    2175946

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Replying To Furlong1949:  "Its hard to know about Sunday.

My worries for Meath are Donegal have Murphy back and other players back since our meeting in early stages of the league. Murphy is one Donegals greatest players ever and one of the best footballers of his generation and when he plays he seems to lift the whole team. Donegal are Ulster champions and truthfully in the top 5 or 6 teams in the country. Meath have improved greatly since the longford game last year. In most rankings Meath were 15th or 16th in the country last year. Most rankings I see now Meath are 8th or 9th in the country currently.

Meath have improved particularly in the defence were Meath have a strong defence with particularly strong centre of the defence with Conor McGill , now becoming one of best if not best full back in the country and keoghan who is now playing at a level of a Darren Fay or Robbie O Malley. The improvement in Meaths fortunes have been since the Longford game. Keoghan has been playing at centre back since that game. Meath have a top class full back and a top class centre back together at the heart of the Meath defence for the first time since Lyons and Harnan. Also Gallagher Ryan lavin Mcoy have been very good in Meaths defence also. And James McEntee is becoming a sort of Colm Boyle James Mcarthy of the Meath team. Attacking wing back who plays well in every game. McEntee since he moved to wing back v Down last year has been Meaths best and most important player. Its pity Niall kane is injured , as he also is an excellent attacking wing back who was excellent v Donegal a few weeks ago.

But a defence is only so good at what is happening out the field. And if we were to struggle at midfield and fast ball is coming in the open spaces of Croke Park, most defences can struggle. But overall Meath promotion was based on a couple of top class defenders and Meath defence as a whole defending brillantly.

Donegal I think will be up for this. Ulster championship is around the corner. This is a young team who won Ulster last year and will.want to add a national title , as they develop. A comprehensive Donegal victory cud not be ruled out. Meath are not the finished article. I feel next year Meath will be more stronger to deal with teams like Donegal. But saying that we have improved greatly that u couldnt rule out a Meath victory. A Meath victory wud indicate Meath are making huge and significant progress. But if Meath were to lose badly I wouldn't read to much into it. Donegal r simply a stronger team and further on their development as a team then Meath. I think Meath will have more ups and downs and supporters will be saying comments like its another false dawn. Its wouldnt be another false dawn. Why? Meaths improvement has allot to do with 4 or 5 under 21 making a straightaway impact this year. This is the first time since this has happened for years. And if you examine things on the ground on Meath there is lots of young talent coming thru, the best since 90s. Overall Meath and also kildare will be more stronger in the coming years.

Another worry is the dymanic of these league finals. They have followed a thread in last two years. In 2017 Kildare were not expected to be promoted. They were the surprise team in 2017. Galway were favourites after winning Connacht title the year beforehand. Galway at times were not overly impressive in league but still reached the final. In the final kildare the surprise team played poorly and Galway won easily. Last year the surprise team was Cavan . Cavan were brillant in last seasons league. Roscommon were favourites for promotion but overall didnt play great in the division but still were promoted. In the final Roscommon were impressive v surprise promtion team Cavan.

U can see the pattern in the last 2 league div 2 finals . Galway in 2017 and Roscommon in 2018 played well in the final and won after being favourites to be promoted and were current provincial champions at the time. While kildare in 2017 and Cavan 2017, no one expected to get promoted. Both counties were delighted when they were promoted. Almost the fans were in celebratory mood when they were promoted. But when it came to the finals they were poor.

So u can see the trend , Donegal favourites just like Galway and Roscommon in the last two finals , played well while Meath r in the same boat as Kildare and Cavan in last two finals. Hopefully Meath dont follow kildare and Cavans performance. I have a feeling when a team wins promotion no one expected, when they win promotion, theyre is a celebratory mood in the county . While the other teams who people expected to be promted ie Galway Roscommon and Donegal, come into the final more focussed on adding a national title to their provicial title. I dont know. But there has been a trend , a pattern in the last two finals . And it will be interesting to see if Meaths performance is any way similar to kildare in 2017 league final or Cavan last year.

It must be said though Donegal v Meath games are usually very tight affairs with Donegal always usually winning in modern times. Prior to 2000 Meath and Donegal were tight affairs where usually Meath alway won. Since 2000 the games are always close but Donegal usually always win. Since 2000 Donegal and Ulster teams in general have been bogey teams for Meath and also kildare. Meath were knocked out 7 times in last 15 years by Ulster opposition in the championship. Kildare 7 or 8 times were beaten by Ulster opposition in 15 years out of the championship. Our last three games , Meath drew with Donegal in 2014 , lost by point in 2017 v Donegal and lost by 2 points this year. In every one of those 3 games with ten minutes to go Meath looked like the likely winner. But Donegal got over the line. A Meath victory would be very significant for Meath . It would signify Meath beating a top 5 or 6 team in the country fo the first time since hammering Dublin in 2010.

So it should be a good game. How Meath deal with the great Michael Murphy will have a big bearing on the game. But overall the championship will be the main concern for both counties overall. But a national title would be great boost for both of these young teams development.

PS Just regards the gesture by the Meath county board before the league game after the terrible tragedy that happened a few days before the match which directly impacted players on the Donegal panel and Donegal fans. The idea for the gesture came from the Meath players themselves. The Meath players went to the county board and asked them could they do something before the game. I know the Donegal supporters appreciated the gesture."
Good post as always, but as regards to outcome, you might be reading a bit too much into the 17 and 18 div 2 winners. Kildare might have last lost momentum changing 14 players against Galway on the last game of the league and played them on the next game in final.
There was probably not much of clear favorite between Cavan and Roscommon. I not sure if I would read too much in that one.
I reckon Meath are actually going to be up for this one and will want to win. I think Donegal supporters where surprised how decent Meath where a few ago when we played them in the league. I actually think Meath have improved a good bit since the Donegal game. But so have Donegal improved as well with MM back etc so it should be a decent game. I am not sure whoever wants it more will win.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 28/03/2019 08:37:42    2175951

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Replying To Furlong1949:  "I think Donegal will be up for this game. Its a national title. Yes the championship is Donegals and Meaths main concern , but this is a young Donegal team. Young teams are always hungry for sucess. In 2011 McGuiness knew the importance of winning the league title in 2011. He was trying to get the winning habit in Croker. In 2014 McGuiness team had won Sam and a few Ulster titles , his main concern was getting Donegal back to an All Ireland final. This is a young team in the early stages of development. Donegal have come into good form recently. Look what they did to kildare last weekend. Donegal are strong favourites and should win. If Meath were to win it would significant win for Meath and leinster football. Leinster football record against Ulster team outside Dublin recently is very poor.

While Meath havent won in Croker since 2014 when we beat kildare in a leinster semi final. We havent played yet under McEntee in Croker in 2017 2018. But we had bad losess in Croker v Dublin in 2014 and 2016 and Westmeath in 2015, our last three games in Croker. Leinster teams outside Dublin have a bad record in Croker recently. kildare havent won in Croker since 2013 only their third win in this decade in Croker. Meath had a few good wins in Croker between 2012 2013 and early 2014. But since then our record has been poor. This is why a victory on Sunday would be massive for Meath also. Donegal have more experience and better record in Croker then Meath recently.

Regards quality of division 2 it was one of the stronger division 2 in years. Regards Donegal getting promoted and not playing well and winning promotion. Donegal are not div 2 team they shouldnt be in divsion 2. They are in top 5 or 6 teams in the country. They won Ulster title very impressively last year. And regards Donegal winning promotion and not playing well. Roscommon last year also won promotion from Division 2 and didnt play well.

Before the league started everyone was saying this was the toughest division 2 in years. Meath getting promoted seems to made people say it was not a tough division. For me thats revision of the highest order. Last years division 2 was weaker. Last year Roscomon Cavan Down and louth were in the division. Donegal and kildare replaced Roscommon and Cavan. Donegal are stronger then both teams and u cud make a case kildare are stronger then both also. Armagh and Fermanagh replaced louth and Down. Armagh are stronger then louth and Down and Fermanagh stronger then Louth and Down.
Donegal are in top 5 or 6 teams in the country. Kildare are in the top ten in the country. Fermanagh reached Ulster final last year beat Monaghan last year won promotion from div 3 and near promotion this year. Meath had their best league in 13 years based on Meaths best defence in a decade. Armagh were strong and hard to beat. Mixing the good with bad. But they were stronger then louth or Down the counties they replaced last year. Down were awful last year and louth lost every match last year. Clare are a couple of seasons in divsion 2 and difficult in to beat Ennis. Cork were poor last year and were poor this year. Tippearey have gone backwards since they reached semi final v Mayo a few years ago.

At the start of the league everyone was saying this was a tough division. Division 2 is never easy to get promoted. 4 teams could have been promoted on the last day showing the competitiveness of the division . When Meath achieve anything win an All Ireland etc anything its always put down devalued or degraded. Division 2 is never easy and this year was no different. Donegal kildare Meath Armagh Fermanagh Clare Cork Tipperary is a stronger division 2 then last years of Roscommon Cavan Meath Louth Down Clare Cork Tippearey.

Regards Meath not staying in div 1. I predicted we would get promoted at the start of this years league on this forum. I also predicted 2 years ago we would improve in McEntees third year in 2019 , I predicted this two years ago on this forum. It wasnt that I was shown great foresight. The signs were there. It takes years to build a team up and many of Meaths best players were going to peak this year as they hit their mid 20s.

Next year Meath will be stronger. Players like James McEntee Shane McEntee Seamus lavin Conor McGill Cillian Sullivan Alan Forde will be all.25 26 and they will be peaking as footballers. Each year everyone of these players are improving. Theres no reason that this will not continue. Meath will have their best midfielder back next year from college in the USA eg Ronan Jones. Meaths best forward Donal lenihan will also be back next year. While Niall kane and Alan Forde will be fully fit from injuries. Meaths young players who are under 21 this year will be stronger next year eg Ronan Ryan Daragh Campion Ethan Devine James Conlon Sean Reilly. And also next year I see can 4 or 5 Under 20 players coming straight into the panel and making an impact . We have some talented players coming through and I could see Shane Walsh Cian McBride ( midfielder) the Dunshaughlin duo of Costello and Mitchell as serious forward prospects. These are best underage talent Meath have produced since Geraghty Fay and Giles and co in the 90s.

Also Meath would not have an inferior complex when playing division 1 teams. Meath have a great record and tradition against the top teams in division 1. We have a very good record v kerry , best record in the country v the Dubs and are Mayos bogey team going back to 1950s. Take Galway. Meath have played Galway many times in Navan in the league, but Galway havent beaten Meath in Navan in 40 years. In the last 5 games with Galway we have lost once. Meath would have notions as county. That sounds arrogant. But Meath definately wouldnt be in awe of the top teams. I have heard many times since Sunday people saying Meath are back were we belong. That is an arrogant comment. But the fact is after kerry and Dublin the team that spent longest in divsion 1 between 1930 to 2000 was Meath. ( League football began in 1930s).

And Navan is a tough place to go. Back in the day Navan was one of the toughest places to go in the country. The Dubs always found it hard to beat Meath in Navan. And in this decade Meath are still hard to beat in Navan. If Meath get 4 games in Navan I give Meath a good chance of staying in the division.

Meath in the past and in McEntees last 2 years , Meath always up their games v the top teams. In the last two year all the top teams the division 1 teams we played we played very well.against and we were eitheir level or ahead in injury time v division 1 teams we played in last two years. The games I am refering we played well v top teams were Galway, Donegal twice , Tyrone , Roscommon, kildare and Dublin ( challenge game ). There is pattern forming under McEntees Meath . Meath up their game v the bigger counties.

So because many of the Meath players will be peaking next year , the return of our best midfielder and best forward next year , introduction of some best talent we have produced since 90s , Meath strong record in Navan , Meaths great tradition and record in divsion 1 football and Meath like Galway will feel like this is where we should be and Meaths ability to up their game v top counties. All the signs are there that Meath will do much better in divsion 1 then people think.

Time will tell. But I do feel there is a quite but strong determination in every level of Meath football to drag Meath back of its knees. It will take time and ups and downs. But I believe the work being done at underage is only beginning and there is determination to get Meath back up to the top table.. It will take time but I do believe the 2020s will be stronger for Meath football then this decade. Already Meath supporters players and management cannot wait to play Dublins kerrys Mayos and Tyrones in next year league. That is a good sign. And its simple the longer u stay in divsion the stronger u get. Hopefully Meath stay will be a long one."
Excellent and accurate post

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/03/2019 09:21:12    2175956

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Replying To Furlong1949:  "I think Donegal will be up for this game. Its a national title. Yes the championship is Donegals and Meaths main concern , but this is a young Donegal team. Young teams are always hungry for sucess. In 2011 McGuiness knew the importance of winning the league title in 2011. He was trying to get the winning habit in Croker. In 2014 McGuiness team had won Sam and a few Ulster titles , his main concern was getting Donegal back to an All Ireland final. This is a young team in the early stages of development. Donegal have come into good form recently. Look what they did to kildare last weekend. Donegal are strong favourites and should win. If Meath were to win it would significant win for Meath and leinster football. Leinster football record against Ulster team outside Dublin recently is very poor.

While Meath havent won in Croker since 2014 when we beat kildare in a leinster semi final. We havent played yet under McEntee in Croker in 2017 2018. But we had bad losess in Croker v Dublin in 2014 and 2016 and Westmeath in 2015, our last three games in Croker. Leinster teams outside Dublin have a bad record in Croker recently. kildare havent won in Croker since 2013 only their third win in this decade in Croker. Meath had a few good wins in Croker between 2012 2013 and early 2014. But since then our record has been poor. This is why a victory on Sunday would be massive for Meath also. Donegal have more experience and better record in Croker then Meath recently.

Regards quality of division 2 it was one of the stronger division 2 in years. Regards Donegal getting promoted and not playing well and winning promotion. Donegal are not div 2 team they shouldnt be in divsion 2. They are in top 5 or 6 teams in the country. They won Ulster title very impressively last year. And regards Donegal winning promotion and not playing well. Roscommon last year also won promotion from Division 2 and didnt play well.

Before the league started everyone was saying this was the toughest division 2 in years. Meath getting promoted seems to made people say it was not a tough division. For me thats revision of the highest order. Last years division 2 was weaker. Last year Roscomon Cavan Down and louth were in the division. Donegal and kildare replaced Roscommon and Cavan. Donegal are stronger then both teams and u cud make a case kildare are stronger then both also. Armagh and Fermanagh replaced louth and Down. Armagh are stronger then louth and Down and Fermanagh stronger then Louth and Down.
Donegal are in top 5 or 6 teams in the country. Kildare are in the top ten in the country. Fermanagh reached Ulster final last year beat Monaghan last year won promotion from div 3 and near promotion this year. Meath had their best league in 13 years based on Meaths best defence in a decade. Armagh were strong and hard to beat. Mixing the good with bad. But they were stronger then louth or Down the counties they replaced last year. Down were awful last year and louth lost every match last year. Clare are a couple of seasons in divsion 2 and difficult in to beat Ennis. Cork were poor last year and were poor this year. Tippearey have gone backwards since they reached semi final v Mayo a few years ago.

At the start of the league everyone was saying this was a tough division. Division 2 is never easy to get promoted. 4 teams could have been promoted on the last day showing the competitiveness of the division . When Meath achieve anything win an All Ireland etc anything its always put down devalued or degraded. Division 2 is never easy and this year was no different. Donegal kildare Meath Armagh Fermanagh Clare Cork Tipperary is a stronger division 2 then last years of Roscommon Cavan Meath Louth Down Clare Cork Tippearey.

Regards Meath not staying in div 1. I predicted we would get promoted at the start of this years league on this forum. I also predicted 2 years ago we would improve in McEntees third year in 2019 , I predicted this two years ago on this forum. It wasnt that I was shown great foresight. The signs were there. It takes years to build a team up and many of Meaths best players were going to peak this year as they hit their mid 20s.

Next year Meath will be stronger. Players like James McEntee Shane McEntee Seamus lavin Conor McGill Cillian Sullivan Alan Forde will be all.25 26 and they will be peaking as footballers. Each year everyone of these players are improving. Theres no reason that this will not continue. Meath will have their best midfielder back next year from college in the USA eg Ronan Jones. Meaths best forward Donal lenihan will also be back next year. While Niall kane and Alan Forde will be fully fit from injuries. Meaths young players who are under 21 this year will be stronger next year eg Ronan Ryan Daragh Campion Ethan Devine James Conlon Sean Reilly. And also next year I see can 4 or 5 Under 20 players coming straight into the panel and making an impact . We have some talented players coming through and I could see Shane Walsh Cian McBride ( midfielder) the Dunshaughlin duo of Costello and Mitchell as serious forward prospects. These are best underage talent Meath have produced since Geraghty Fay and Giles and co in the 90s.

Also Meath would not have an inferior complex when playing division 1 teams. Meath have a great record and tradition against the top teams in division 1. We have a very good record v kerry , best record in the country v the Dubs and are Mayos bogey team going back to 1950s. Take Galway. Meath have played Galway many times in Navan in the league, but Galway havent beaten Meath in Navan in 40 years. In the last 5 games with Galway we have lost once. Meath would have notions as county. That sounds arrogant. But Meath definately wouldnt be in awe of the top teams. I have heard many times since Sunday people saying Meath are back were we belong. That is an arrogant comment. But the fact is after kerry and Dublin the team that spent longest in divsion 1 between 1930 to 2000 was Meath. ( League football began in 1930s).

And Navan is a tough place to go. Back in the day Navan was one of the toughest places to go in the country. The Dubs always found it hard to beat Meath in Navan. And in this decade Meath are still hard to beat in Navan. If Meath get 4 games in Navan I give Meath a good chance of staying in the division.

Meath in the past and in McEntees last 2 years , Meath always up their games v the top teams. In the last two year all the top teams the division 1 teams we played we played very well.against and we were eitheir level or ahead in injury time v division 1 teams we played in last two years. The games I am refering we played well v top teams were Galway, Donegal twice , Tyrone , Roscommon, kildare and Dublin ( challenge game ). There is pattern forming under McEntees Meath . Meath up their game v the bigger counties.

So because many of the Meath players will be peaking next year , the return of our best midfielder and best forward next year , introduction of some best talent we have produced since 90s , Meath strong record in Navan , Meaths great tradition and record in divsion 1 football and Meath like Galway will feel like this is where we should be and Meaths ability to up their game v top counties. All the signs are there that Meath will do much better in divsion 1 then people think.

Time will tell. But I do feel there is a quite but strong determination in every level of Meath football to drag Meath back of its knees. It will take time and ups and downs. But I believe the work being done at underage is only beginning and there is determination to get Meath back up to the top table.. It will take time but I do believe the 2020s will be stronger for Meath football then this decade. Already Meath supporters players and management cannot wait to play Dublins kerrys Mayos and Tyrones in next year league. That is a good sign. And its simple the longer u stay in divsion the stronger u get. Hopefully Meath stay will be a long one."
Your posts are always very detailed and interesting to read. I hope your correct in that Meath return to the top table consistently as the GAA and in particular Leinster need a strong Meath, there is nothing like a successful Meath team to bring colour, crowds and exciting games to Croke Park. As for Saturday though 2011 was a different time for Donegal as they had not won an Ulster title since 1992 so there was an appetitie for success at that time and McGuiness knew that. One could argue Meath are in the same boat now as Donegal were in 2011 but Donegal have won some big titles over the past couple of years. I'm not sure Donegal would really see Div 2 as a national title at this stage the aim for them was getting back into contention for the national league title by ensuring they played in Div 1. I'm sure they will turn up relaxed and enjoy the run out and whilst they have a very talented group of footballers I would expect half of Meath to be at the final and their team to have greater determination which should see them over the line. Donegal are not going to risk any injuries or suspensions on Saturday as for them the successful league campaign is over and it's about Championship. The only way I can see Meath surviving is they start training months earlier than the rest (Fermanagh this year from reports) so by the time the league comes around they catch a few teams out early. It's possible this is how things will work out because I'm sure staying in Div 1 will be the priority next season. I would say Cavan and Roscommon would be stronger than Meath and they struggled to survive but good luck to Meath. As for the quality of Div 2 this year the Championship later in the summer will show if there was much quality in this division.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 28/03/2019 09:54:44    2175968

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Replying to Furlong 1949 (Meath) : Good detailed post as usual. I think the top 6 teams in Division 1 (Dublin, Kerry, Tyrone, Mayo, Galway and Monaghan) are probably the top 6 teams in the country at the moment. Despite winning Ulster in 2018 I would rank Donegal at 7th but are capable of and will aim to become a top 4 team in this year's championship. I would rank Meath at 9th or 10th and will hopefully reach the super 8s this Summer.
Looking forward to a good contest on Saturday.

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 507 - 28/03/2019 10:49:48    2175985

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Thanks for the comments Curlew66, Sam1884, Royaldunne and Bobkarlgees. Sometimes when I go on one of my long winding ramblings I always hope I make sense and I hope that I dont sound like a lunatic. So thanks for the comments lads , I appreciate them.

Im biased and maybe I have my Meath tinted glasses on. But I am optimistic about our chances next year in divsion 1. We have improved greatly this year from last year. The difference from last years league to this years league campaign is quite considerable. But we r far from the finished article and still 12 to 24 months of where we want to be. But I do think next year we will be stronger then this year. This years championship might not be great for us. But I think next year in the spring in how we do in divsion 1 will be very important in this teams development. We all know the importance of division 1 football for any teams development.

I just feel there is genuine talent coming thru in Meath we havent seen in a while. Daragh Campion has been excellent this year. So has Ethan Devine and Ronan Ryan. But I think there is better talent in this years under 20 team and our minors look stronger then last years. But we all know the strong underage team that didnt deliver. So hopefully we do well this year at minor and undee 20. I think its no coincidence that the first young players which have come thru under the new underage systems and new strenght and conditioning systems , that were introduced in last few years. The first group of players from that new underage sytem have made an immediate impact and we get promoted.

The young players have had quite an significant role in that promotion. Supporters players and management have all said these young players have brought a confidence and vibrant youthful energy to the panel. That has not happened for a long time for Meath. That is where my confidence is coming from. We havent had any underage sucess since 90s. Underage sucess doesn't gurantee senior sucess , but if you dont have underage sucess you are pretty much gurateed failure at senior level.

Anyway big match on Sunday , I would have comcerns about Sunday , as I think Donegal are much further on the road in terms of team development as we r. And we dont have a player the calibre of Michael Murphy. Hopefully from Meath point of view we continue our league form and performances into the final. If we do it would be a good game. If we dont Donegal will beat us well.

I think one thing that really helped us get over the line in last few games to seal promotion was Barry Dardis. In early rounds of league we were to reliant on Newman at full forward. And we needed more scores from play and were not scoring goals. In last few games we have scored 6 goals and Dardis has scored 3 important goals. He has been getting scores from play we needed also. His goal v Cork finished off Cork, his goal v Kildare basically was the moment we achieved promotion. Lost that game we wouldnt have been promoted. And his goal on Sunday ended Fermanaghs chance of winning the game by a big margin. He has been one of best club forwards in Meath recent years. And he has made an important impact since the Cork game. Its just pity we dont have lenihan this year as a Lenihan Newman Dardis forward line looks good. But I still feel Donegal are stronger in the forward department and that should be enough for a Donegal victory. But Meath do have a chance on Sunday. Perform like we did in Ballybofey and it will be real good contest as I think Donegal have improved since we last played them.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 28/03/2019 15:39:40    2176042

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Donegal have improved, but so have Meath imho. Game on game I think we have improved, we counter attack faster than we were in ballybofey, the back six haven't been affected by the injury to Kane , Gallagher has taken his chance and grabbed it with both hands. The pace of Reilly coming on in second half will give donegal something to worry about.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/03/2019 17:58:13    2176065

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Without being arrogant, Donegal by 10.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1142 - 28/03/2019 23:06:34    2176109

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Really looking forward to this game. Meath were far the best team we played this year so far and it was a fluke goal that turned the tide that night but in fairness to our lads they still had to win it and did.
I like the way we are playing at the minute and it was always going to take a bit of time for this team to open up and play more attacking football as we had a few previous regimes of playing defensively. We're a bit like Tyrone in that the transition is only taking shape now but that can only be good for football in general.
Meath really impressed me defensively that night in Ballybofey both in their defending and in their ability to get forward too. Ciaran Thompson was very good for Donegal that night in an attacking sense but his tracking back was poor and led to three points for Meath. He isn't available on Saturday and the other half forward options are better at this. We also have Murphy, Mc Gee, Mc Grath, Mc Glynn and Jason Mc Gee available this week, all missing in the first game. In the first half against Kildare we played with three up at full forward at times and I can't remember the last time I seen that. Meath had our main dangerman in Jamie Brennan well marshalled that night but Oisin Gallen has proven that he can have a big impact in important games and with him and Murphy playing alongside Brennan Meath will do well to curtail all three. With Mc Brearty back playing for the club in the coming weeks, it looks good for championship.
I think both teams will have a right cut at this final and it could turn out to be a clinker of a game. I'll give us a nod by 2!! But wouldn't be devastated if we lost as long as we play well and don't pick up any injuries!!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 29/03/2019 00:19:30    2176115

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Replying To TheRock2121:  "Without being arrogant, Donegal by 10."
It does sound a bit arrogant to say Meath will lose by 10 seen Meath have played two best teams in Ulster in last 9 months Tyrone All Ireland finalist and Donegal Ulster champions. And in both games Meath were unlucky to lose in both games . Tyrone and Donegal won. Their experience and class won out in the end. But Meath did play well against the two best teams in Ulster recently.
Im not saying Donegal cudnt give Meath a big defeat. Donegal have better forwards and are more down the road of team development then Meath. And yes I am worried there is a bad defeat or two in this Meath team this year v Donegal or Laois or Dublin in leinster or a team in the backdoor. But if we play like we have since Longford, we will be difficult to beat for most teams.

Donegal sud win and will be favourites. But Meath do have a decent chance of victory. If we played Donegal in last years league Donegal wud have beaten us by 10 points. But since Longford game Meath have played well and improved considerably . Since Longford game last year, Meath have played 12 games including League /Bynre cup/ championship games. Meath have won 8 out of the 12 games and lost only to Tyrone by 1 point , Donegal by 2 points and Dublin on penalties after extra time. The only other loss was in Byrne cup when we played our third team as our first team was playing in Sean Cox challenge game v the Dubs the day after, a challenge game we won v the Dubs. If Meath play like they have v Tyrone Donegal Armagh and kildare it will be a really good contest.

And Donegal and Meath are usually very tight affairs . Always a point or two between each side. The only game I can think of where there was a big win was in 1990 All Ireland semi final when Meath won by 8 points v Donegal . But that game was still very close with 10 or 15 mins to go.

And if Meath were to be hammered by 10 points it would one of the worst defeats in a national final ever for Meath, it would be Meaths second worst defeat in a national final ever. Meath have played 31 national senior finals including All Ireland and national league finals. Only in two of those national finals have Meath being hammered. That was Galway in 2001 when Galway beat us by 9 points in the All Ireland final. And the other was in 1939 when Mayo. , a Mayo team that won 6 national league division 1 titles in a row. Mayo defeated Meath by 5 goals in Ballina in national league final div 1 of 1939. Meath have lost finals. But the average loss would be by 2 or 3 points. The only other bad defeats in a final would have been kerry beat us by 7 points in 1970 All Ireland final , Galway beat us by 6 points in All Ireland final of 1966. The next worst defeats would be Monaghan in 2013 national league div 3 final which we lost by 5 points and we lost to Mayo in All Ireland final of 1951 by 5 points also and the league final of 1950 v Cavan by 5 points also as well. But other then that Meaths record in finals is pretty good , and when we lost it was by 2 or 3 points on average.. Meath have lost finals but it would be very unusual for a Meath team to be hammered in a national final.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 29/03/2019 01:02:55    2176118

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Im very impressed by Meath so far this year. The inclusion of new coaches, 5/6 new players, the return of 1/2, the tactical approach they've adopted, their strength and conditioning, its all miles beyond even last season, never mind 12/13 years ago when Meath last were in Division 1. I must say coming into this league, id have accepted 3/4 victories and another year in division 2, carefully looking to the u-20 and u-17 teams which are approaching senior. Most Meath people are very chuffed but there is also a mystery factor of how everything seems to be be "clicking" all of a sudden with no warning. Theyve had a run of results not seen by a Meath team in years and years, against opposition such as Kildare, Armagh, Cork, etc which are teams we've struggled against systematically for years. I dont know, maybe I have little faith but im almost expecting the wheels to come off in every game! Its a surreal position Meath finds itself in but its awesome to finally be back in Croker and see a bit of fire in the belly around the county for the first time in ages. From here, this team can push on into the championship and play without the pressure of teams in recent memory, and expect to deliver if all goes to plan. There hasnt been a Meath team like that since the very early 2000s. I tend to look at this game as a bit of an irrelevance, but who knows? Both teams may go hell-for-leather.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 589 - 29/03/2019 07:08:25    2176122

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Looking forward to seeing Eoghan Ban let rip in Croke Park. He has incredible pace and stamina. The wide open spaces should hopefully suit him. Niall O'Donnell will enjoy it as well. He has a grate range of passing and can kick points from distance off either foot.

I really think this could be a cracking game. Both sides are promoted so the opportunity is there to play a more open and traditional style. It would be fantastic to see Murphy going to battle with the Meath number 3 in a traditional full-forward vs full-back tussle.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 29/03/2019 10:09:32    2176151

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Looking forward to seeing Eoghan Ban let rip in Croke Park. He has incredible pace and stamina. The wide open spaces should hopefully suit him. Niall O'Donnell will enjoy it as well. He has a grate range of passing and can kick points from distance off either foot.

I really think this could be a cracking game. Both sides are promoted so the opportunity is there to play a more open and traditional style. It would be fantastic to see Murphy going to battle with the Meath number 3 in a traditional full-forward vs full-back tussle."
Big fan of EBG, love watching him play. I thought it was one of the worst decisions in a long time that he wasnt nominated for young player of the year last year, i thought he could have won it, never mind deserving of a nominee.

Huge pity that Ciaran Thompson wont be fit or this, another terrific footballer.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 29/03/2019 10:57:48    2176163

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Replying To royaldunne:  "As I said I don't think it's about who wants it more or anything like that, I think both have achieved their goal, this is a bonus game, however it's also a game neither will want to lose, Meaths back six is perhaps one of the best in country at the moment and the team and game plan is built around it, it's a perfect game to see how it works in Croke Park. Andy will always say that they don't want to lose any game, so I can't see him taking this game lightly. For me the way Meath are playing I'd love the championship to start next week. As I honestly think they would beat anyone at this stage. Meath to win by 2 and give jim something to ponder.
Hon the royal"
Interesting claim in relation to the back six being (perhaps) one of the best in the country. Its also a bold claim considering they'd only played two games in last year's championship and were playing division 2 football this league campaign (and the teams don't necessarily play their strongest 15 in such games). I'd be interested to hear (and not in a snotty, challenging way - a strong Meath would do Leinster football no harm at all) what you base this on?

Kurt_Angle (Dublin) - Posts: 567 - 29/03/2019 11:13:22    2176167

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Replying To TheUsername:  "Big fan of EBG, love watching him play. I thought it was one of the worst decisions in a long time that he wasnt nominated for young player of the year last year, i thought he could have won it, never mind deserving of a nominee.

Huge pity that Ciaran Thompson wont be fit or this, another terrific footballer."
Yeah Thommo is a great player to watch when he's on form. He has a hammer of a left foot. He wasn't in the best of form during the league but hopefully he'll be over his injury and back at it come Championship time. His long range kicking ability will be needed against Fermanagh.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 29/03/2019 12:13:14    2176188

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Replying To Kurt_Angle:  "Interesting claim in relation to the back six being (perhaps) one of the best in the country. Its also a bold claim considering they'd only played two games in last year's championship and were playing division 2 football this league campaign (and the teams don't necessarily play their strongest 15 in such games). I'd be interested to hear (and not in a snotty, challenging way - a strong Meath would do Leinster football no harm at all) what you base this on?"
Royaldunne is right. Meath defence has been one of best in the country this spring. I think u mentioned last summer but Meath defence was definitely not one of best defences in the country.

Last year Meaths defence for most of the year was
2 Keoghan 3 McGill 4 lavin
5 Conlon / Power 6 Burke 7 S McEntee

This years Meath defence is
2 Lavin 3 McGill 4 Gallagher
5 J McEntee 6 Keoghan 7 Ryan/Kane

When u talk about Meath two championship match last year that was a different Meath defence. Meath have had 2 positional changes and 3 new defenders to the defence since last year. Keoghan instead of being at corner back marking the opponents best forward , he is now at the centre of the Meath defence driving the team forward. J McEntee has gone back to wing back from the forwards and has been our best player since the Longford game. While Gallagher Ryan Kane and Mcoy have been all playing excellently since they were introduced to the Meath defence this spring.


Its only this spring the Meath defence has improved. Meath have been shakey at the back for years. In McEntees first two years we were changing the defence every two or three games. We were very defensive but still shakey. After the kildare game we went very defensive. Brought players back on mass. 14 men behind the ball. But yet we still were been beating by Tipperary by 7 and Cork by 4 last year. We didnt have the balance right between attack and defence. Way to defensive, but still shakey at the back. We did do well v Tyrone and Donegal in championship. But our defence was bit helter-skelter in those matchs .

But this spring we are stronger and more organised at the back. This spring Meath have gone from.about 15th or 16th in the country to 8th or 9th in every football ranking I have saw. Why?. The Meath forwards have been good and hardworking . But I wouldnt say they are division 1 level. I would say kildare and Donegal have better forwards then Meath. Meaths midfield has been really effective a hardworking midfield. But it wouldnt be division 1 level.Also kildare Tippearey would have better midfield then Meath. So how did Meath win 12 out of 14 points and so nearly 14 out of 14?. How did Meath lose by 7 Tippearey last year and win by 5 this year?.How did Meath lose by 4 to Cork last year and win by 6 this year?. How did Meath lose by 10 to kildare two years ago and win by 1 this year and really should have won by 6 7 or 8?.

If u look at this spring the most improved team in the country, a county that has jumped from 15th or 16th to 8th or 9th in the country, is Meath. Why have Meath gone from relegation candidates last year to strong promotion winners this year ?. The Meath defence is why.

Now it will be interesting to see how Meath defence does in the wide open spaces of Croke Park v Donegal or hopefully Dublin in the summer. And if ur being cleaned out midfield it doesnt matter if u have Darren Fay and Robbie O Malley in ur full back line. Ur full back line defence will struggle. But the Meath defence was the best defence in divsion 2 this spring. Fermanagh was the best organised defence. But Meath have better individual defenders then Fermanagh. Meath defence is as good some division 1 defences. There is serious lack of good defenders in the country. Blanket defence has killed the art of defending. It has made players lazy and defenders r more interested in attacking .

Dublin have great defenders. Mayo also do and so do Monaghan have good defenders. But take kerry and Galway. Kerry have a great tradition of defenders. From Sean Murphy to John O keefe from Seamus Moyihan to Paudi O Se from Marc to Tomas O Se. And even defenders that were quality like Eamon Breen Tom Sullivan Mike Mcarthy and Aidan O Mahony. Kerry dont have one top class defender currently. Paul Murphy is a very good footballer. But he is an attacking defender. And while they have so much forward talent defensively they look shakey. Galway have much better forwards then Meath. But defensively lack great defenders. Thats why Walsh goes so defensive for if Galway goes more one on one like Dublin or Mayo do, they dont have the defenders , for example look what Tippearey did to them in 2016. Galway always had good defenders. People talk about Galway forwards in 90s , but they had some real good defenders also eg T Mannion G Walsh D Meehan S Og De Paor k Fitzgerald.

Meath defenders like Donal Keoghan and Conor McGill r better then any kerry or Galway defender. Keoghan on his day is the best defender in the country. Since he moved to centre back around longford game Meath have gone from 16th in the country to 8th or 9th in every football ranking. Meath have a top class centre back and a top class full back. Name any team in country that have as strong full back and centre back as Meath. Even Dublin are considered to be shakey in the full back line. Conor McGill has been brilliant for Meath for years. He has been one best full backs in the country in recent years and at the moment in my view is best full back in the country. Name a better one, name 3 or 4 top class full backs in the country
McGill and keoghan have not been on tv much in last couple of years , so people outside the county have seen very little of them. But ask any Meath football fan and they will tell u keoghan is up their with Darren Fay Robbie O Malley and Martin O Connell. And Conor McGill is carrying on the great tradition of Meath full backs , great Meath full backs like Paddy O Brien Jack Quinn Mick Lyons Darren Fay and Kevin Reilly.

So if a team has one of the best centre backs and one best full backs in the country and possibly best in both position in the country , cud that team then be considered one of best defences in the country. The answer surely is yes. Meath have a great tradition of defenders. But have not really produced many great defenders since 01. The only really quality defender we produced from 01 to the mid part of this decade was Kevin Reilly and Donal keoghan. However in my view this is the best defence in a decade Meath have had since we hammered Dublin and beat the great Tyrone team of 00s and reached 2 All Ireland semi finals in 3 years. I actually think the current defence is better then 07 to 2010 defence. Our forwards between 07 and 10 are much superior to the forwards we have now.

Meath full back line has been best full back line in divsion 2. Lavin McGill and Gallagher have been excellent. Strongest Meath full back line since O Connor Reilly Mckeigue ten years ago. Lavin has turned into an effective man marker. While Gallagher is also an effective man marker in the other corner. They are natural defenders. James McEntee has been putting man of the match performances at wing back game after game. And is turning into Meath Colm Boyle type player. While Ronan Ryan is a typical Summerhill defender in the mould of lyons and Mark Reilly. Ryan is very young but a tough tackling pacey defender. He has been excellent all spring. While Mcoy has also been good of the bench. Mickey Burke cannot get any game time and he has been a mainstay of Meath defence for a decade. While Padraig Harnan who also has been mainstay of Meath defence since 2013 a good inter county, who is comin back from injury, will struggle to get on Meath defence currently. And Niall kane who was brillant v Donegal in Ballybofey is injured after dislocating his shoulder. In my view Kane is best wing back Meath have produced in a decade or more. Put all that togethet and Royaldunne is right Meath have in this spring one of best defences in the country. And they are young and should get better in the coming years. And we sud add to the defence in the coming years from our talented underage teams. James O Hare was on last years minor leinster winning team and he was voted young Meath footballer of the year. I rate him highly He is a serious prospect. And reminds me so much of Mark O Reilly, Meaths last All star corner back.

Meath were getting to many men back in last two years, but are now going more one on one style defending. Men are been brought back but not as much as last two seasons. The balance between defence and attack has been just right. Meath defenders are defending in a more traditional sense of defending.Getting in front of your man, anticipating the incoming ball and getting a hand in front of the forward to block the ball. In ways it what the Dublin defence does. Dublin trust their defenders like Cooper Sullivan McMahon and Small to defend well v opposing defenders. Meath are doing the same.

The Meath defence of Lavin McGill Gallagher McEntee Keoghan Ryan and Kane have been excellent all spring and are the main reason Meath were promoted. How they will do in Croke Park is another test. And maybe they will.struggle there and struggle in the championship in Croke Park but at the moment in the spring of 2019 they looked excellent. And Meath do have two of best defenders in Ireland in Donal keoghan and Conor McGill. While Lavin Gallagher Ryan Kane Mcoy Harnan and J McEntee are all.good defenders. So if u say Meath have had one best defences in the country this spring u definitely have grounds and evidence to back up that claim. As I said Meath have had their best league in 13 years. The main reason has been Meaths defence.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 29/03/2019 16:22:14    2176245

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Looking forward to seeing Eoghan Ban let rip in Croke Park. He has incredible pace and stamina. The wide open spaces should hopefully suit him. Niall O'Donnell will enjoy it as well. He has a grate range of passing and can kick points from distance off either foot.

I really think this could be a cracking game. Both sides are promoted so the opportunity is there to play a more open and traditional style. It would be fantastic to see Murphy going to battle with the Meath number 3 in a traditional full-forward vs full-back tussle."
Do you mean like the even wider open spaces in Ballybofey?

CharlieM (Donegal) - Posts: 427 - 29/03/2019 16:54:59    2176253

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