HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

Meath Forum

O'Byrne Cup

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post

You need to Login to Post

Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "No doubt it's about identifying new players and seeing what players have kicked on. Of the inexperienced players Brennan, McGowan and Moriarty impressed. Full back line struggled a bit and Aaron Lynch had a poor game. Harkin and Scully look to have kicked on and be improving all the time. Hickey didn't play well but it was only a half and he is playing Sigerson so not reading a whole pile into it." I will never understand why county teams insist on using lads who are playing college football this time of year. Could they not just leave them be for a couple more weeks. Particularly players who are established like Hickey probably is now. Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1012 - 05/01/2023 12:50:17 2451232 Link
Replying To Blackspot09: "I will never understand why county teams insist on using lads who are playing college football this time of year. Could they not just leave them be for a couple more weeks. Particularly players who are established like Hickey probably is now." That's a fair point royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 05/01/2023 13:47:53 2451241 Link
Replying To royaldunne: "Let's not forget Carlow are div 4 and with all due respect are one of if not the poorest team in Leinster that play football at senior level. I was hoping for a comprehensive win. Unfortunately that didn't happen. Kick outs were ok as we were allowed to go short, midfield a huge problem, McGowan did his best but it's a worry going forward with menton gone and jones injured. Lynch had nerves abound and certainly wouldn't be worried about him going forward he will settle down d moriarty (first time I really saw him ) was impressive, Shane Mcentee is a credit to his fitness levels and his dedication to Meath that he was so good last evening, O'Sullivan did what he does best , lenihane wasn't on for that long at all. Frees still a major problem look what can happen when you have a dedicated free taker like Carlow with I think his name was foley. So cons kick outs still a problem when we can't go short , midfield a worry going forward, long ball in too predictable at times and easily countered. Pros moriarty looks a great find, Costello and scully are top notch, campion seems to have returned to his potential before injury (someone said he got injured) we are trying to combine playing ball through hands and kicking in which is good. Look it's only obc and it's a ideal competition to experiment. I'm sure Colm and team will be aware that the most important thing this year is promotion nothing else matters. As if we end up in mid to low table we could in likelihood be playing tailteann cup. And that would be a humiliation for a county like ours. Looking forward to next game and some more new faces. We all know mcentee keoghan O'Sullivan etc will be playing come first league game so perhaps don't start them in next game. One final thing why was our likely starting keeper brought on as a outfield player or am I loosing my mind ?" Sorry,were you at the game last night? Your comments on Shane McEntee don't make sense to as he came on in the 65th minute and replaced McGowan for a few minutes as a blood replacement in the first half just.john (Meath) - Posts: 97 - 05/01/2023 14:07:20 2451246 Link
Replying To BigJoe14: "Well unless their is an injury crisis the full back line and goalkeeper will be completely different from last night come league. The entire full back line and goalkeeper were making their debuts last night so it was a big test for them, which they will be better for. I would go with the following goalkeeper and back 6 for the league presuming all fit and available: 1. Harry Hogan 2. Eoin Harkin 3. Conor McGill 4. Robin Clarke 5. Donal Keogan 6. Padraig Harnan/Shane McEntee 7. Cathal Hickey The two Ryans are also in contention here, and Sean Rafferty and James O'Hare are good back up. Eoin Harkin and Robin Clarke were very good last night in the half back line but are probably needed more in the full back line." My only concern is that fullback line wernt good enough last season so why stick with them again. (Also agree Harkin looked very solid at wingback). Now I hope they prove me wrong !! I really really do. But I definitely think 2 and 4 are a problem area that need addressing, but as previously mentioned what other options do we really have ?! houndinbound (Meath) - Posts: 22 - 05/01/2023 14:14:25 2451250 Link
Some of the debutants struggled last night and others did well but hard to judge on one game. O'Byrne Cup is a good chance to see lads. I agree players should not be playing OBC and colleges at the same time, too much to ask of them. You can see it's obvious the instruction is to kick the ball early. That's why I can't fathom why one of the players is on the panel. He can't solo the ball and can't kick it. Was on the panel a few years before but was nowhere near the level so it's not like it's his first year. To his credit he's good in the air and can run but that isn't good enough to cut it inter county level. royal11 (Meath) - Posts: 102 - 05/01/2023 14:41:03 2451255 Link
Replying To just.john: "Sorry,were you at the game last night? Your comments on Shane McEntee don't make sense to as he came on in the 65th minute and replaced McGowan for a few minutes as a blood replacement in the first half" You must not be familiar with the poster in question. ;) brian (Meath) - Posts: 1973 - 05/01/2023 14:48:46 2451257 Link
Replying To just.john: "Sorry,were you at the game last night? Your comments on Shane McEntee don't make sense to as he came on in the 65th minute and replaced McGowan for a few minutes as a blood replacement in the first half" And he performed very well on both occasions. I was at the game. I have missed 4 Meath matches in 40 + years. You don't think he performed when he came on and should be noted for his dedication to the county and indeed to his fitness levels at his age. Fair enough if that's ur view royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 05/01/2023 15:43:55 2451266 Link
Replying To brian: "You must not be familiar with the poster in question. ;)" Ahh happy new year. Haven't seen you around in ages. What you make of game last night ? royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 05/01/2023 15:45:14 2451267 Link
Replying To BigJoe14: "Well unless their is an injury crisis the full back line and goalkeeper will be completely different from last night come league. The entire full back line and goalkeeper were making their debuts last night so it was a big test for them, which they will be better for. I would go with the following goalkeeper and back 6 for the league presuming all fit and available: 1. Harry Hogan 2. Eoin Harkin 3. Conor McGill 4. Robin Clarke 5. Donal Keogan 6. Padraig Harnan/Shane McEntee 7. Cathal Hickey The two Ryans are also in contention here, and Sean Rafferty and James O'Hare are good back up. Eoin Harkin and Robin Clarke were very good last night in the half back line but are probably needed more in the full back line." That 6 is tried and tested. Cant make progress going back to lads from years back. Id blood O Hare in the league. The full back line was roasted last year in Ennis. New Blood needed! db9 (Meath) - Posts: 283 - 05/01/2023 18:02:49 2451282 Link
Replying To houndinbound: "My only concern is that fullback line wernt good enough last season so why stick with them again. (Also agree Harkin looked very solid at wingback). Now I hope they prove me wrong !! I really really do. But I definitely think 2 and 4 are a problem area that need addressing, but as previously mentioned what other options do we really have ?!" Ben Wyer from Ratoath is 22 - he has 3 keegan cup medals in his back pocket in the past 4 years playing in a full back line beside McGill. He has marked many of the best forwards in the county in that time - Beano, Mattimoe, Walsh, Frayne etc and has rarely if ever come out the wrong side of his 1 to 1! I have watched him against many of the forward players that people rave about on this platform and I can't remember anyone getting the better of him! Surely he is worth a look! Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 515 - 05/01/2023 20:56:31 2451300 Link
Replying To Royalblufill: "Ben Wyer from Ratoath is 22 - he has 3 keegan cup medals in his back pocket in the past 4 years playing in a full back line beside McGill. He has marked many of the best forwards in the county in that time - Beano, Mattimoe, Walsh, Frayne etc and has rarely if ever come out the wrong side of his 1 to 1! I have watched him against many of the forward players that people rave about on this platform and I can't remember anyone getting the better of him! Surely he is worth a look!" You might see him out in next few weeks. I hear theres a good raft of lads that will see time to prove themselves. Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 642 - 06/01/2023 13:05:35 2451334 Link
Replying To Irish_downunder: "You might see him out in next few weeks. I hear theres a good raft of lads that will see time to prove themselves." Is he in Squad? Head4BlackSpot1990 (Donegal) - Posts: 24 - 06/01/2023 14:18:59 2451353 Link
Replying To Head4BlackSpot1990: "Is he in Squad?" I don't think he is in the squad - but I think he is certainly deserving of a run! It will be interesting to see how many changes are made for the Laois game - might not be as many as people think. In terms of the squad, I would say it is fairly fluid at the moment. ASaminthehand (Meath) - Posts: 422 - 06/01/2023 16:12:13 2451373 Link
Replying To Head4BlackSpot1990: "Is he in Squad?" Anyone know what squad is ? royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 06/01/2023 16:19:44 2451375 Link
You could draw a line through Aaron lynch already. If ya havnt got composure or even the slightest bit of accuracy against Carlow in a game with no pressure on at all, forget about it. Don't care if it's his first game. Good forwards are a different animal. Dissapointing. southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 938 - 07/01/2023 09:38:00 2451398 Link
Replying To southmeathgael: "You could draw a line through Aaron lynch already. If ya havnt got composure or even the slightest bit of accuracy against Carlow in a game with no pressure on at all, forget about it. Don't care if it's his first game. Good forwards are a different animal. Dissapointing." To single out one player after that first half performance shows you must have a grudge. The full back getting cleaned and no mention of that. Every player that played on Wednesday night deserves a few games to see if there good enough. Edgeofthesquareman (Meath) - Posts: 8 - 07/01/2023 11:39:41 2451409 Link
Replying To southmeathgael: "You could draw a line through Aaron lynch already. If ya havnt got composure or even the slightest bit of accuracy against Carlow in a game with no pressure on at all, forget about it. Don't care if it's his first game. Good forwards are a different animal. Dissapointing." I am not sure about Aarons ability to perform at senior inter-county in the way he does for Trim, but to write him off based on one game is nuts and completely unfair as anyone who has actually played the game can attest to. I see this attitude all the time from people discussing football in Meath, where really talented players get slated as not good enough based on one fella watching him once. Again, my point isn't regarding the players on the panel and if they deserve to be there or not but clearly your comment is based off of an O'Byrne cup game in January which is wrong. TigerKing (Meath) - Posts: 41 - 07/01/2023 13:29:51 2451420 Link
Replying To TigerKing: "I am not sure about Aarons ability to perform at senior inter-county in the way he does for Trim, but to write him off based on one game is nuts and completely unfair as anyone who has actually played the game can attest to. I see this attitude all the time from people discussing football in Meath, where really talented players get slated as not good enough based on one fella watching him once. Again, my point isn't regarding the players on the panel and if they deserve to be there or not but clearly your comment is based off of an O'Byrne cup game in January which is wrong." I played and watched plenty and am entitled to my opinion. What he has shown so far wouldn't keep him in the panel. southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 938 - 07/01/2023 17:15:13 2451453 Link
Replying To Edgeofthesquareman: "To single out one player after that first half performance shows you must have a grudge. The full back getting cleaned and no mention of that. Every player that played on Wednesday night deserves a few games to see if there good enough." No grudge at all. southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 938 - 07/01/2023 17:18:20 2451455 Link
Positives so far - Diarmuid Moriarty is 21 years old but already looks ready to start and impact games, Eoin Harkin and Jayson scully have gone to a new level, Jordy Morris looked GREAT today, Cillian osullivan looked good in both games and scored 2 goals today. Matthew costello is trying an awful lot harder than he did last year. Daithi McGowan is a very skillful footballer. Donal lenihan is back and has looked sharp in both games. Keoghan still looks like prime Donal keoghan. Goalkeeping situation looks like a strength not a weakness Areas for concern - Full back line looked a shambles in both games, Cathal Hickey just doesn't look right after being one of our better players the last few years, Morris looked great today but came off with a hamstring injury. League is 3 weeks away, we haven't much chance without him. Midfield looks like a weakness, Menton is gone and Ronan Jones can't get his body right to play. We still look 2 or 3 forwards light. Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 184 - 07/01/2023 17:32:26 2451458 Link