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If you were asking me those questions personally and wanted my opinion I'd say; we don't need a change in management. That would be a step back. Meath is too far gone as an entity to think changing managers will bring on the team in any real notable way. It was too late for that back in the late 2000s and early 2010s when the county had a "one strike, you're out" attitude to management. The current manager knows what he is doing. He can't work miracles. Don't put his head in the chopping block every time we dont win a game against a more established team. We just arent at that level at the moment and the time has passed to accept that. Again new players and new structures come with time and experimentation and experience, and there has been plenty of that in the past few years. I can confidently say we have improved, if even started to even out and stagnate slightly. Notably 95% of the county teams in the game are in the same boat. Its not a Meath problem, its a football problem. Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 18/04/2021 07:27:27 2337614 Link 19 |
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Would disagree with much of your post, if we contine to accept the obvious failings of the last few years then we are where we deserve to be. Not expecting miracles, but to suggest we must accept the level we are at is very negative. As for head on chopping block, it would seem the exact opposite is true, given a free pass by CB, No wins in either super 8s or Division one, plus the two hammerings in Leinster finals has been met by a collective shrug of the shoulders, nothing to see here. In what areas have we improved? Looked like we had started to get our defence in order, that is up until last years championship when all our previous failings returned. Do not understand your last point that it is not a Meath problem its a football problem? Other than the dominance of Dublin it is 100% a Meath problem, kickouts/fielders/freetakers/balanced team/leaders/ability for management to make changes in real time are all basic and areas any decent management should be compentent to deal with. As I say, not expecting miracles, however time has come for management to show us they know what they are doing, if so then we can expect improvements and look forward to getting the best out of a talented squad.
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 18/04/2021 17:17:40 2337719 Link 15 |
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I do agree that a big year is needed. Getting promoted again would be massive. But in terms of saying where has improvement been made. Compared to 2013-18 we aren't losing to any teams that we should be beating. In those years we lost to Westmeath, Armagh who weren't that great, Derry, hammered by Kildare, lost to Longford. That's just the championship too not to mention the league. So that has definitely improved. But I do agree our defence last year took a massive step back. I am willing to give some allowances because the 2-week absence of McGill and Lavin prior to the championship did make a huge difference to their performances, as did the absences of Shane Gallagher and Harnan. But this year that must be rectified otherwise a free pass for last year can't be given. But I do think that from 2013-2018 we have had a definite improvement over the last 2 years. Yes, we didn't win a game in the league but after the first two games, we should have beaten Galway and Mayo. Lost by 3 to Kerry, 4 to Dublin and drew with Monaghan and that was with a boatload of injuries. So if we can get promoted again I see a definite pathway to being able to stay up. And I don't think we are saying management is immune to criticism in general but the perception of the job he is doing is warped massively by how we play against Dublin. If our season has had ended after we scored 5 second-half goals against Kildare or maybe we played Mayo and lost by 4 or 5. Cavan is the perfect example. They had the chance to play against division 1 teams but against beatable ones. They then played Dublin in Croker and were embarrassed. If you want to say management is failing because of the performances in division 1 and super 8's then I disagree but fair enough but if we judge any teams on their performances against Dublin in Croker then since 2015 there are 29 counties who are an embarrassment and just Mayo and Kerry who aren't. I think that's what he meant by the GAA problem and not just Meath's.
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 18/04/2021 18:42:52 2337734 Link 7 |
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Agreed ! .Well said ! Your first sentence hits the nail on the head......we are where we deserve to be .. I would like to know What happens in training ? if training is not helping to sort out well known problems.? If not structured to meet need then what is being done ? . Theories have to be seen to benefit in PRACTICAL terms. Otherwise whats the point? Dublins dominance is a fact..but cannot be used as an excuse for not getting our own house in order, in an attempt to narrow the gap .
nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1266 - 18/04/2021 19:39:49 2337742 Link 17 |
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Bit hard on Cavan to say they were embarrassed. Gave it their all and can hold heads high, just beaten by a much better team. Difficult to judge improvement in championship over last two years without taking 8s into account, injuries and lads going abroad played in big part in poor results both there and in Div One, however, results aside, my main issue is with the apparent inability to fix the list of reasonably straightforward issues that has dogged this team for four years, they were evident in our promotion year and so far no sign of improvement. We give up 3/4 points on kickouts and leave 3/4 behind us on freekicks, a few points here and there could have got us over the line in a few league games. Our defence was exposed badly against Kildare, if these lads were not fit then should not have started, maybe take a chance on one, but both showed poor judgement. Again, agree Dublin is a GAA problem, however we cannot keep turning up in CP just accepting another hammering. The panel at managements disposal is not 20+ points worse than Dublin. Anyway it will be good to see them back training next week, Down at a neutral venue and with a bit of luck at home for other two. seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 18/04/2021 20:46:36 2337758 Link 13 |
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Any news on panel this year? Rocknroyaler (Meath) - Posts: 8 - 18/04/2021 21:14:59 2337766 Link 0 |
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Seadog i think you're being overly critcial at times. Cavan gave it their all but were beaten by 15 points. Saying a team beaten by that margin can hold their heads high is a misnomer. Dublin's best game last year was the Leinster final, by quite a distance. Meath were a bit cock a hoop going in but the Dubs squashed us and put us back in our place. They perceived us as a threat and stamped on us quickly and with force. I think 8 out of ten times Meath would beat this current Cavan team, they are nothing special. They caught lightening in a bottle for a couple of weeks and fair play to them but they're no better than we are. Lets not forget they were relegated to division three in the league before the championship. I do agree with your points there after which are well made and have been discussed by all. These are the problems that need to be fixed and should not take into a 5th year of a managers reign to be sorted out. These will be the points that Andy will perish on. brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 19/04/2021 09:36:09 2337805 Link 14 |
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From We are Meath Ross Ryan and Barry Dardis left. Sean Tobin retired. And 3 new guys in are Danny Dixon from Boardsmill. Fionn Reilly and Jordy Muldoon from Kells. Fionn Reilly probably the name that stands out there, has all the attributes. Also great to have Kells players in so the conspiracy theories will stop haha :)
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 19/04/2021 10:02:15 2337810 Link 7 |
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Don't think you could fault either of the sumerhill lads for stepping away. And yes if the kells lads being involved might stop the conspiracy theories that would be something.
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 19/04/2021 10:29:20 2337815 Link 12 |
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When are challenge games allowed start back? stillaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 225 - 19/04/2021 11:54:48 2337831 Link 0 |
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So just pick panelist so nobody thinks theres a conspiracy against kells.thats interesting theory.lol.
Borderroyal (Meath) - Posts: 496 - 19/04/2021 17:02:42 2337892 Link 1 |
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Which players have improved the most individually over the past few years? bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1807 - 19/04/2021 19:04:02 2337907 Link 0 |
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"The Gaelic Games Associations have been informed that, from April 19, training matches can only take place between authorised players on the inter-county panels concerned. The question of permitting inter-county matches, challenges or otherwise, will be considered by Government towards the end of this month in advance of May 4." https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40265441.html seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 19/04/2021 19:49:54 2337912 Link 13 |
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Only on panel in recent times but Scully,Hickey,Harkin,Costello and Morris look to have what it takes to become mainstays of future Meath teams. Devine and Walsh have been there a bit longer but have yet to fulfill potential. Devine has only featured on occassion, however he is a good fielder an an option for kickouts. Big year for Walsh, has plenty of talent but can take too much out of possession at times. Hopefully some if not all these lads get a good run this year. team will benefit from injection of youth.
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 19/04/2021 20:17:46 2337918 Link 9 |
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With inter-county teams returning to training today, 18 experts give their advice on how sides can make the best use of their condensed pre-season window before competitive action throw in next month. seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 19/04/2021 22:52:32 2337957 Link 10 |
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Since 2017/18 time I would say Lavin came on a level, Menton has become more consistent and impressive. Thought Cillian O'Sullivan had his best year. Didn't think Morris had what he did post-pandemic last year in him at all, being with the panel the whole year did him a lot of good even though he wasn't playing. The issue is we seem to get improvement from guys and then others take a step back. 2019 Lavin, McGill and Menton took big steps forward, McMahon was fairly good too. 2020 post-pandemic Morris, Hickey, O'Sullivan played well but then Menton, McGill, Lavin, McMahon and dare I say it even Keoghan for the last 4 games underperformed. So I think there has been improvement among the players and the panel, but consistently keeping them there has been an issue
LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 19/04/2021 23:56:25 2337964 Link 7 |
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I don't think you're wrong in any of that tbf LR. Points well made as always. In particular about keoghy. Don't think he performed as well as he did in 2019 but i think that was more to do with the fact Costello was the half back who bombed on up the field and got into the positions that Donal did in 2019. Costello isn't a natural defender and can score so you allow him to get into those positions. Costello got goals v Wicklow and Kildare from positions that Donal was getting into in 2019 but looking to lay off to forwards to finish the chance. Hickey was brought in during the last 10-15 minutes as he could do the same thing as Costello and drive forward and get scores or draw fouls (think he got a goal and won a penalty v Wicklow and a point v Kildare). I'd say we could nearly say the same of Menton. Jones was in more scoring positons and Bryan sat back. In 2019 Shane Mcentee was doing that to allow Bryan join the attack. I would say it's more the evolution of the team and more natural scorers being got onto the ball who can finish. On Bryan McMahon, he's a more natural inside forward and needs to be used as such. He's not a CHF who's able to stitch the play together and bring others into the game. Its one thing i will give Andy credit for last year is his bench started adding a lot of scores. They were making an impact which is what is needed. I know v wicklow the game was won, but v Kildare the bench contributed 2-2 which ensured the victory. Joey i think scored in all three games after coming on and Scully, Hickey and Banty in 2 games. Would hope to see more of that in 2021. The panel needs to develop out to 25 players + who can all contribute. Look at the dubs last year. Sean Bugler and Aaron Byrne contributed for them and they have Ciaran Archer coming in this year. We need 2/3 new faces every year coming in and adding to the talent that is there. brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 20/04/2021 10:47:11 2337990 Link 13 |
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While looking forward to some football this year I would not have much optimise about the year ahead under the current management with failure of blatant lessons to be learned from during their tenure. Any news on possibilities of resolving goalkeeping, freetaking and I guess overall quicker transition from defence to attack through kickpassing. Don't mean to be pessimistic but Lenister final defeat last year was extremely damaging and expect to to plod along again with limited changes in playing personnel and tactics and ultimately end up with a similar Leinster Final result if we are lucky enough to get there. Management seem happy to be still in media spotlight so seem to believe they are doing good jobs. winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 594 - 24/04/2021 23:16:13 2338679 Link 1 |
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I'm sure Cavan are feeling the same then ? We are talking about Athlone town playing against Barcelona in terms. The only difference is that all counties including the ulster champions are Athlone town. Forget about Dublin I couldn't give a f about Leinster last year or this. And if Andy does then he should be removed IMMEDIATELY, championship football is dead. It's all about the league.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 25/04/2021 15:27:09 2338712 Link 0 |
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Jasus lads if the mood in the county is bow to the dubs we are in bigger trouble than i thought.i know the league is vital this year but keep hetting to leinster finals in my book is vital too. Borderroyal (Meath) - Posts: 496 - 25/04/2021 19:34:16 2338731 Link 6 |