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Meath Senior Football Team 2021

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Great win yesterday in poor conditions . Agree with young hickey to give him a go against Mayo and see how he fares against better opposition . Thought McGill was good along with Keoghan in defence . Harnan did well again alongside Menton . All three in Half forward line Costello and Devine are there for their height from kickouts & workrate with McMahon in control
Morris , O Sullivan our stand out players yesterday

I am not too sure if we should be thinking of players we are missing and we should just focus on the lads out there doing the Business

Bear10 (Meath) - Posts: 463 - 24/05/2021 09:41:20    2344831

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Great win yesterday , can someone explain what happens next week if we win/lose against Mayo? Assuming the winner goes back into division one or how does it work?

meath1987 (Meath) - Posts: 134 - 24/05/2021 09:56:54    2344842

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Replying To meath1987:  "Great win yesterday , can someone explain what happens next week if we win/lose against Mayo? Assuming the winner goes back into division one or how does it work?"
Winner finishes 1st, loser finishes 2nd. Draw, then it would come down to score difference who comes 1st or 2nd. Regardless of result Meath will play one of Clare, Kildare or Cork in a Semi FInal. If they win that game against one of those teams they will be promoted.

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 998 - 24/05/2021 10:19:45    2344850

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Harkin was unfortunate to have got black card taking off straight after coming back on.seems lads carded now go off have panel to replace them.good spread of subs to if you play well one week you get rested for another one.playing full panel with 7 subs being used.

Borderroyal (Meath) - Posts: 496 - 24/05/2021 10:25:07    2344852

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Replying To Irish_downunder:  "We shouldnt be giving mayo any respect this year. They lost a lot of key personel this year so big transition there for them. We should have enough for them"
I agree - go all out to win.

stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 225 - 24/05/2021 10:52:19    2344864

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Replying To stillaroyal:  "I agree - go all out to win."
go and test ourselves, great position to be in, zero pressure , and real buzz about the opposition, and would expect lads to be hopping this week, so go for it, not in the sense of playing a lad that is carrying a knock, and may need a rest, but more in the sense of getting as strong a 20/21 lined out ready for action
amazing what a couple of wins do for a set-up,

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 403 - 24/05/2021 11:26:53    2344885

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Replying To Thelongwoodslasher:  "go and test ourselves, great position to be in, zero pressure , and real buzz about the opposition, and would expect lads to be hopping this week, so go for it, not in the sense of playing a lad that is carrying a knock, and may need a rest, but more in the sense of getting as strong a 20/21 lined out ready for action
amazing what a couple of wins do for a set-up,"
I'm in agreement from a supporters and indeed players point of view.
But if I was managing the team or on the management panel. What would you do ? Play strongest 26 possible and then two weeks later have the match that in all likelihood will either mean you get a extension for another couple of years or be out at end of this one. It's a hard one to call from that point, what if keoghan, Morris hickey O'Sullivan got a bad knock or a red card. Then you might have some say why were they playing in a dead rubber game?
From my own perspective I want to not only go to castlebar and compete. I want to see them go and win. That would be my view. Go all out. However it might not be management view, it's a hard one to call.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 24/05/2021 12:27:07    2344914

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If I was Andy Mcentee I'd be pointing out Cathal Hickey's tackle on 42 minutes that led to Cillians 1st goal, sprinted 50 yards to turn his man over, the moment where the game completely swung. Outstanding.

redser123 (Meath) - Posts: 404 - 24/05/2021 12:30:16    2344918

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That was a much better performance, now Down were very poor but we played with a lot more intent and purpose. Only negatives were the issues with long distance frees (nothing new), although Morris was good on the frees from his side. And then 3 sloppy turnovers in our own defence by Harnan, McEntee and Menton after a mark. Lost of positives though, Keoghan looked better, Hickey was really good. And he's only 19 or 20. Costello, Menton and Harnan got through loads of work around the middle. And then inside Morris was absolutely brilliant. Some people on here were quick to criticise him last week but even last week he kicked his 3 frees and won two frees that led to points himself. He's only played 7 games in league or championship for Meath. And he has kicked 4-28 with 2-16 from play, absolutely excellent stuff and another guy only 20/21 years old. Cillian O'Sullivan has carried on his from from last year and is playing his best stuff in a Meath jersey. If we could have another scoring forward in with Morris (maybe Walsh or Newman) it would free up Cillian to roam inside and out and just pick up dangerous positions wherever he sees fit. Mayo will be an interesting one this weekend. And while it would be a lovely one to win, the semi final is really the only game that matters

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 24/05/2021 12:31:11    2344919

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Great result yesterday. I haven't seen the game so I can't comment on it.

I'm seeing an interesting trend recently from posters which dated back to last years championship and before possibly. When we play weaker teams and win a lot of posters are quick to point out how poorly other teams played. Could we not flip this on its head and say that we've only allowed teams play so well? The kildare game last year everyone said Kildare didn't show up in the second half? Was it not a case of we didn't allow them to show up. Andy and the management team adjusted at half time and we killed the game off in the early second half with goals. Seems like a similar match yesterday in that we were poor in the first half, made changes and adjusted to what was in front of us and were comfortable in the end.

I think this team and management deserve a bit more credit than the opposition were awful. They could only play as well as our lads allowed them too. We're shutting down teams and imposing our will on them which is what we need to do to break through to the next level.

Last week i said superior fitness helped us over the line and seems to have been the case here to where they burnt off the Down team in the third quarter and conserved their energies in the fourth quarter.

We should be going to Castlebar with our chests out and looking for a victory. This team needs to win one of these games against a top 6 side. Mayo for all their changes were all ireland finalists last year and regardless of league position are a top 6 team. Whilst the outcome of this game isn't hugely important, as the semi final is all about getting back into division 1, a victory over Mayo would do wonders for the team. We should be beating any of Clare, Kildare or Cork (not that i would put money on it) but going 4 from 4 in the league would really show this team and many of our own supporters theirs something there to get behind.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 24/05/2021 13:02:20    2344937

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A win in Mayo would be great for confidence, however on this occasion I think there is more to be gained by giving panel members a run from the start, its the only chance we have this year to have a look at them. Last time we got promoted we played more or less the same 15/18 lads in all our games and failed to introduce new blood which cost us dearly when injury struck later that year. Also good to let panel members know there is a chance for them and not just there to make up numbers for training. Nothing to loose and plenty to gain by starting Reilly, O Connor, Scully, Hogan and one or two more.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 24/05/2021 13:11:43    2344940

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I'm in agreement from a supporters and indeed players point of view.
But if I was managing the team or on the management panel. What would you do ? Play strongest 26 possible and then two weeks later have the match that in all likelihood will either mean you get a extension for another couple of years or be out at end of this one. It's a hard one to call from that point, what if keoghan, Morris hickey O'Sullivan got a bad knock or a red card. Then you might have some say why were they playing in a dead rubber game?
From my own perspective I want to not only go to castlebar and compete. I want to see them go and win. That would be my view. Go all out. However it might not be management view, it's a hard one to call."
think its all about a balance...and management will know that …..so by all means id expect that some Players that either we haven't seen or who have only had marginal game time should/will hopefully get some time, while at the same time , they Have got to keep a really strong experienced nucleus , so that we are solid, and not over run

Thelongwoodslasher (Meath) - Posts: 403 - 24/05/2021 13:19:59    2344944

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Replying To Thelongwoodslasher:  "think its all about a balance...and management will know that …..so by all means id expect that some Players that either we haven't seen or who have only had marginal game time should/will hopefully get some time, while at the same time , they Have got to keep a really strong experienced nucleus , so that we are solid, and not over run"
Yeah I'd totally agree with that.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 24/05/2021 13:51:14    2344963

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We should go to Mayo starting our best 15 players. We need to maintain team confidence for now so minimise chopping and changing if possible. Yesterday was helpful for confidence building ,even against mediocre opposition. The major problem remains freetaking Training sessions this week hopefully will result in management making a decision on freetaking from here. Management will hopefully substitute as required as usual. For now go for broke, best foot forward at all times with the primary focus being team confidence building

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1266 - 24/05/2021 14:23:09    2344980

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Replying To nobull456:  "We should go to Mayo starting our best 15 players. We need to maintain team confidence for now so minimise chopping and changing if possible. Yesterday was helpful for confidence building ,even against mediocre opposition. The major problem remains freetaking Training sessions this week hopefully will result in management making a decision on freetaking from here. Management will hopefully substitute as required as usual. For now go for broke, best foot forward at all times with the primary focus being team confidence building"
Agree 100%, we aren't in a position to just go "ah sure it's only a dead rubber" we need wins over teams like Mayo and should go with our best team, only real negative from yesterday was free taking so yes hopefully this will be addressed.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3744 - 24/05/2021 14:59:11    2345001

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Great result yesterday and we looked a lot more like the team that we have become accustomed to watching over the past year. Not sure if it was rust last week or the way in which Westmeath set-up but we looked a lot more impressive this time around.

Cathal Hickey was very impressive, especially in the first half where he defended well, turned over the ball and was always an option going forward. I think he now has to start next week with 1-9 on the team sheet very settled now apart from one wing back. Harkin, Ryan, Brian Conlon to battle it out for this position for now but when James Mc comes back surely he has to slot in now if he is playing to his potential. Harnan could also play here if Jones was available in the middle.

Morris played very well yesterday and was consistent from frees from close in and on his side. Massive problem going forward is having a consistent free-taker from a bit further out and in situations that suit a right footer. All top teams have one and we can't afford to not be converting them opportunities when playing the big sides. Great to see O'Sullivan getting the two goals. He's a great worker and normally doesn't get the scores he deserves. A consistent run of scoring form would be great now.

Costello impressive again as were others and a great result for all.

Negative yesterday was pulling Harkin after 25 minutes (after he spent 10 of them on the bench). Again, not good for a lads development or confidence but if he was concerned about going down to 14 then understandable. However, he didn't do the same to McEntee.....looking forward to Mayo now.

DMman (Meath) - Posts: 17 - 24/05/2021 15:24:00    2345016

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What people need to realise about last weeks game against Westmeath is that, last weekends game was the first 70+ minute game Meath had played since the Leinster Final on the 21st November last year. They only had 3/4 weeks collective training before the Westmeath game, and the friendly the week before against Armagh wasn't a 70 minute game. The condition the players have come back in is a credit to them and you could see yesterday they were more tuned in and sharper than last week, albeit Down were very poor I thought. Westmeath were far more organised and offered more of a threat.

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 998 - 24/05/2021 16:43:31    2345064

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Dead rubber! Yea so what do you do? Mayo probably thinking the same. I would start a first choice team but not any player who may be carrying even a slight knock. And maybe be a bit adventurous and push up a bit more. Yesterday, some of the time we 'rotated' the ball too far back and when the opening came we were a bit far from goal to have a pop at the posts. Minor complaint though.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1080 - 24/05/2021 18:03:24    2345092

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Replying To DMman:  "Great result yesterday and we looked a lot more like the team that we have become accustomed to watching over the past year. Not sure if it was rust last week or the way in which Westmeath set-up but we looked a lot more impressive this time around.

Cathal Hickey was very impressive, especially in the first half where he defended well, turned over the ball and was always an option going forward. I think he now has to start next week with 1-9 on the team sheet very settled now apart from one wing back. Harkin, Ryan, Brian Conlon to battle it out for this position for now but when James Mc comes back surely he has to slot in now if he is playing to his potential. Harnan could also play here if Jones was available in the middle.

Morris played very well yesterday and was consistent from frees from close in and on his side. Massive problem going forward is having a consistent free-taker from a bit further out and in situations that suit a right footer. All top teams have one and we can't afford to not be converting them opportunities when playing the big sides. Great to see O'Sullivan getting the two goals. He's a great worker and normally doesn't get the scores he deserves. A consistent run of scoring form would be great now.

Costello impressive again as were others and a great result for all.

Negative yesterday was pulling Harkin after 25 minutes (after he spent 10 of them on the bench). Again, not good for a lads development or confidence but if he was concerned about going down to 14 then understandable. However, he didn't do the same to McEntee.....looking forward to Mayo now."
O Sullivan was outstanding yesterday, only for a top class save from Down keeper he could have had three. His second yesterday was top drawer, considering conditions, his flick up, sprint, and finish would have been raved about if it was a Kerry/Dub player. Must be someone on panel who can hit frees from distance, if so give him a run out against Mayo.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 24/05/2021 18:09:28    2345093

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Replying To seadog54:  "O Sullivan was outstanding yesterday, only for a top class save from Down keeper he could have had three. His second yesterday was top drawer, considering conditions, his flick up, sprint, and finish would have been raved about if it was a Kerry/Dub player. Must be someone on panel who can hit frees from distance, if so give him a run out against Mayo."
Newman and walsh. But both injured. The other one is Ben Brennan, I'd start Brennan next week and see how he goes , he also offers a bit of aggression which might not be too bad against mayo.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 24/05/2021 19:07:52    2345118

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