A win against the old enemy would represent progress. Really can't wait for this...hoping Andy gives lads chance to express themselves. The way the lads are talking about us over on the main forum feels like we are making progress. Good to feel hated again

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1807 - 02/03/2020 22:10:48    2271806

This is an important game for this Meath team, after the last few outings especially the stage fright in croker last year, win/lose or draw its vital meath perform well and put scores on the board. There is a mental barrier to playing Dublin I think and this is a perfect chance to go out and perform well, if we maintain our performance from last weekend and weekend before that then I would hope we can be competitive in this one.

Thejoeshow (Meath) - Posts: 687 - 03/03/2020 13:37:29    2271953

I'm very much looking forward to this, I'm not looking at this league as a failure but a good learning curve, even if we go down pointless we will have learned far more and derived more benefit than any season in Division 2 could give you. This type of challenge is what we need and I have a feeling Meath will put a lot into this game, why wouldn't they, we've shown we can go toe to toe with Kerry so why not the Dubs, we must start showing the gap is closing and if Meath can perform like they have in recent weeks, and continue to improve they can give this game a right rattle

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3744 - 03/03/2020 18:57:30    2272034

Win?! You must be joking? Only messing. I'm looking forward to this a lot, I'm hoping a good crowd turns out for this side in Croke Park. Although we've lost every game, the last three games have been very positive considering the inevitable squad fatigue coupled with our injury situation. Without harping on about it, to go to Killarney with a team of squad players and score 2-13 is very respectable. We have a common issue vs. Division 1 teams and that is that we come close in every way but always fall short, the Dubs being the exception to that rule. We were abysmal in the Leinster Final last year; shellshocked, scared, overwrought, the list goes on. The aim here is to go out and channel our emotional energy properly, which they didn't do in that game. If the team does that, they can do so much better than 0-04, and could even give them a game. To be even more positive, it could potentially be the hardest game Dublin have had against a Leinster opposition in years, maybe 7/8 years, IF this Meath team shows up on the day and that is a cause for a lot of optimism.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 03/03/2020 19:22:02    2272043

Yes, I agree. Unfortunately we will be back in division 2 next year which is really our level. Hopefully we will have developed enough to give it a right shot next year and hopefully be in a strong position to bounce back up again - this should not be taken for granted.

I think we can put it up to Dublin but the Dubs will be a bit more on their guard after the Tyrone result and they will probably be targeting a good start so we have to be really up for it from the off.

oldsam_newsam (Meath) - Posts: 638 - 03/03/2020 19:40:25    2272046

ASaminthehand (Meath) - Posts: 422 - 04/03/2020 16:29:36    2272215

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 594 - 04/03/2020 19:41:14    2272247

Immensely looking forward to this game. A prelude to a meeting in the summer I think. The more we play dubs the better.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/03/2020 13:35:57    2272599

Dubs will be up for this one. Good opportunity to test ourselves against the best out there,

But Croke Park will be pretty quiet I would say - Meath support isn't like it used to be.

trim1 (Meath) - Posts: 162 - 07/03/2020 17:36:03    2272643

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/03/2020 20:19:26    2272690

Do not agree we have nothing to loose in this game. The last thing this team needs is another no show against the Dubs. This is an opportunity for Meath, I do not expect a win, however a credible performance is vital for the confidence of this team.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 07/03/2020 21:44:47    2272715

Have we not improved over last few games.ok line got lot of stuff wrong start of league.but in last few games seem to b playing with lot of confidence albeit not winning.but we are id say goin to give dublin there fill of it.stick to what we know and play our best team available.have bit of depth to our forward unit.our defense has been solid.
Cant see why not give the doves a shock here.

Borderroyal (Meath) - Posts: 496 - 08/03/2020 11:21:53    2272777

Going to Dublin in hope rather than confidence but I do think the Dubs will take this game very seriously after the last one out. So it will be a very important marker for the championship as will the Monaghan game.

Does anyone know what the ticket situation will be? Will it just be Hogan / Cusack / Hill open? And a ticket bought the previous day valid for any part of the ground?

oldsam_newsam (Meath) - Posts: 638 - 08/03/2020 14:14:55    2272811

I think Meath have improved a lot in the last three games, they've definitely shown that they can mix it with the best in Division 1. 7 out of the 8 current Division 2 teams would struggle to get anywhere near that level so given the injuries ye have been dealing with I think there have to be positives taken from the league going into the championship. Donegal have played Meath 4 times in the past 12 months and I can't think of a nasty incident from any of those matches. Great supporters too.

greatpoint (USA) - Posts: 430 - 08/03/2020 14:28:07    2272815

Yes not sucessful campaign for Meath in staying in div. But long term it could be really helpful.
I predicted on this forum 3 years that Meath would di little in first 2 years under McEntee, improve in year 3 and make impact in year 4 and peak in year 5. So far that prediction has proven right. Yes 4 and year 5 we will see. I looked at mcEntees cv looked at players ages and felt at 26 and 27 in 2020 and 2021 Sullivans, McGill, Harnan, Lavins, Gallaghers would peak. And how long it takes a manager to turn things around eg took Boylan and McGee 4 years and Dwyer 5 years. McEntee is just half way through his job. The aim is not to win Sam. It is to become a consistent div 1 team a consistent super 8 team over the next few years..Compete at super 8 level. To become a top 6 or 7 teams. If we can get super 8 this year and get a victory and be competrive all games, that would be a very good year. Thats the aim.

Using words of a gaa commentator and 3 last managers who played Meath this is what tbey said.

Colm Parkinson said with "half a t eam.Meath did very well v Mayo, Galway and kerry.".
( This is reference that Meath 8 first team players r missing in every game in the league,. Meath had 11 players injured for Tyrone, Mayo and Donegal games and 12 playere injured for the kerry game..While Harnan, lenihan and Walsh came on in the second half with 15 mins to go, Meath still had 10 players injured invcluding their first choice goalie, two best man marker, two bes corner backs, best midfielfer, most talented creative young forward and best forward still.missing. Its not an excuse. But it is an issue)

Pat Spillane after bad Donegal defeat said he expected a depleted Meath team with so many key players missing would struggle badly in next 3 games. He said they showed great spirit in all those games ans only for two great saves by kerry goalie, Meath would have got reault v kerry in killarney.
( He is right Meath have shown great spirit. Mayo were well ahead at half time. Meath came back strong in second half. Mayo get goal late. Meath come back strong again. Kerry go 8 up when Meath are down to 14 men..Meath come back at kerry again. And score narrows. Kerry go ahead again. Meath come back at kerry again. Kerry go ahead again and Meath throw kitchen sink at kerry. Galway went aheas at start of seconf half. Meath come back and level the game. Galway go ahead and again Meath throw everything at Gakway. Meath have shown great spirit in all 3 games, 3 of the best teams in country have struggled to beat Meath, that is a good sign).

James Horan said afer the Mayo game,"Mayo were lucky to beat Meath". Only for a bad mistake by a Meath defender, Meath should have won.

Peter Keane, Kerry manager said " Kerry were hanging on injurry time v Meath". He said Meath are a good team..Only for two brillant kerry goalie saves at the end of the game Meath would have got a result v second best team.in the country , in the second toughest places to win in the country.

Padraig Joyce, the Galway manager said " Galway just about scraped by Meath.". Meath were 4 up half time after playing some brillant football. The game was level in injury time. Meath were unlucky not to beat the 3rd or 4th best team in the country.

That is someturn around from losing to longford and been hammered by kildare 2 years ago, to playing 3 best teams in the country with injury riddled team and go the full 75 mins with 3 of the best teams in the country. Last summer Meath were going 60 mins with kerry, Donegal and Mayo. They are now going full 75 mins toe tot toe with kerry, Galway and Mayo. Yes Meath are not getting over the line. But you have to go through moral victories hard luck loses, 1 or 2 point loses to gain sucess. Thats what Boylans Meath did, what Dwyers kildare did. Meath might not get there but they are going in the right direction.

People on this forum.and in thw media were predicting 8 or 9 point hammering by keery and Galqaay v Meath after Donegal game. But. thread has developed. in last year and a half

1 2018 Meath lost by 1 point to Tyrone( All Ireland finalist) in the championship. A point in 7 min of injury time draws the game for Tyrone.
2 2019 Meath lost by 2 points to Donegal( Double Ulster champion) in Ballybofey. Meath were 4 up at 63rd min after dominating the game.
3 2019 Meath lost by 2 points to Donegal in league final. Meath dominated the first half and were 5 up at half time
4 2020 Meath lost by 1 point to Mayo in the league
5 2020 Meath lost by 3 points to kerry in the league
6 2020 Meath lost by 2 points to Galway in the league.

Can Meath turn 1 or 2 point loses in 6 games in last year and half v best teams in the country into victories in the next 2 years, maybe they wouldnt but its not impossible.
And there is also 3 performance in super 8 were at 60 min Meath were eitheir level or ahead v Donegal,Mayo or kerry last year. And while people talked about low score in finsl v Dubs. Meath backs did keep Dublin to the lowest score in first half championship in 8 years since Donegal in 2011 in last years leinster final. Meath are strong at the back.


Meath are imptoving all the time. Meath improved in last years league and championship and that has continued this years league. You can see Meath have improved every game since Donegal game. Meath players r improving. There is no reason why this should not continue.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 08/03/2020 21:59:47    2272919

Meaths main strenght is the backs, thats why Meath were promoted and reached the super 8sand went toe to toe with kerry, Mayo ang Galway. Meath have some best defenders in fhe country eg Donal keoghan and Conor McGill. McGill.is one top 2 or 3 full backs in the country. He K
kept Shane Walsh to 1 point from play. Lavin is turning into quality top class corner back. Harnan is also a natural defender who still only 24. And is a leader. Gallagher is an effective man marker and u dont many man markers anymore. J McEntee, Kane, McCoy and B Conlon are good attacking wing backs. And David Toher and Ronan Ryan great finds in last 2 years, especially Ryan who is turning into quality defender. Clarke has shown promise and wil get better. Andy McEntee was a good defender in his day. And he seems to be good at building a defence. After the Dubs, Meath have as good as defence as you will see in the country. Its young defence which is improving and had been without 5 key defenders for most of the league eg Lavin, Gallagher, McCoy, Kane and Harnan.

When Meath get their key players back from injury there will be serious competition for the match day panel. Players that have played in the league might not even get on the match day panel in the summer..With 8 players returning at start of the year and new players getting allot of league game like Brennan, Clarke, Toner, B Conlon, Jones; O Brien that people didnt expect. Means Meath panel when everyone is fit is much stronger then last year.

This Meath team is not static, its development is a live and ongoing process. This Meath team should peak next summer 2021 and continue improving up to thst . The first 15 Meath team we dont know how good they are as they have never played yogether

Last year defence has never played with players who returned this year to the panel. So you take last years defence of Lavin McGill Gallagher Harnan Ryan Keoghan add a new midfield pairing of Menton and Jones and have lenihan, Walsh and Newman upfront, Meaths 3 best forwards. That team has never played together before. Jones was in the US in the last 2 years. He will back in March..He is the best midfielder in the county and Menton and Jones partnership looks the strongest we had in years.

While lenihan , Walsh and Newman have never started a game for Meath. Even two of them together. Newman and lenihan have never started a game for Meath. Lenihan was travelling last year and both were injured this year. And Newman has had injury problems for years. Lenihan and Walsh have never started game for Meath. They did start in Byrne cup but lenihan went off injured after 4 mins. Newman and Walsh have never started game. Lenihan and Walsh are back and Newman is expected back for the championship.

Im looking forward to seen those 3 play together. Yes Meath are lacking upfont but if Meath get the three forwards in the county playing together for the first time that will improve team..I just believe lenihan, Walsh Newman full forward lime can cause problems for div 1 teams. I even felt for 15 mins they were on togerher v Galway lenihan and Walsh improved the Meath forward play substantially

It means also forward players who have done well in the league could end up on the bench by the summer eg James Conlon, Thomas O Reilly, Joey Wallace, Oisin O Brien. Meaning Meaths bench sud be much stronger then last year. I think Meath team.will be stronger then last year when everyone fit. We could have 5 or 6 changes to the first 15 Meath team this year. Meath will probaly have a new goalkeeper this year, a new corner back, a new centre back, a new midfieldr, a new full forward and new inside forward and 4 or 5 new players on the bench.
Meath are inproving and that development is ongoing and upwards and should continue this summer and next summer.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 08/03/2020 22:00:34    2272920

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 09/03/2020 17:46:41    2273103

Where can we get at the dubs.from a tactical view.
Who do we target,have the doves got a weakness?.can we expect a changed team or are we goin with same as last day.
Wots your team selection.?

Borderroyal (Meath) - Posts: 496 - 09/03/2020 20:14:11    2273131

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 09/03/2020 20:44:49    2273133

Great to hear this was pushed, can now make club game as well.

On the game itself, I think we should go man on man. Push up on their kickouts.
We need a manic aggression in the backs like last years leinster final. Breaks around middle with our half forwards and wing backs will be vital. Goals will be the key factor, if we get a 2/3 we'll be in with a great chance and the only way we'll get goals is by quick ball in first time and not letting Dublin filter back. Finally I hope it pisses out of the heavens, Dublins ball carrying game is not as stronger slick in wet weather as they need that extra second or two.

For the team
1. Marcus Brennan
2. Ronan Ryan
3. Conor McGill
4. David Toner
5. James McEntee
6. Paraic Harnan
7. Donal Keoghan
8. Bryan Menton
9. Brían Conlon
10. Cillian O Sullivan
11. Bryan McMahon
12. Ethan Devine
13. Donal Lenihan
14. Thomas O'Reilly
15. Shane Walsh

McEntee, O Sullivan and Devine will need serious workrate. I haven't seen enough from them yet. I'd give Brían Conlon one role and that is stick to Fenton no matter where he goes.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 409 - 09/03/2020 21:11:06    2273144