Meath Forum

Club Championship 2023

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I'll go:

Simonstown vs Wolfe Tones - Simonstown by 2
Summerhill vs Trim - Summerhill by 4
Dunshaughlin vs Ratoath - Ratoath by 6
Colmcilles vs Don/Ash - Ashbourne by 3

TigerKing (Meath) - Posts: 41 - 06/09/2023 20:11:08    2503368

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Replying To Maestro:  "Your argument is that you only have 13 posts because you have a full time job and I should get one because I have over 500 over the last 10 years.
Yeah that makes perfect sense,
It is good to see all these new neutral posters taking time out of their busy day to defend Na fianna.

Looks like the games are still going ahead as planned with tickets on sale for all 8 games."
Na fianna will at minimum get a play off mark my words . You can't bully the higher powers of the gaa if possible they wouldn't be higher powers. It's scary that you support a club in Meath and are so worried about na fianna I've no ties to any

Pead0bum84 (Meath) - Posts: 26 - 06/09/2023 21:29:16    2503373

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Replying To Ratoath Royal:  "The wording of the 2023 Meath GAA Regulations are available in the Club Admin Downloads section of the Meath GAA website. The one listed is version 4 and dated 25th August 2023. Haven't been able to see any of the older versions available on the website. If the older versions of the regulations have the same tie breakers listed, then I can't see how Na Fianna's appeal can be successful. The GAA rules clearly state that the county competition regulations take precedence."
One would wonder at the need to amend the regulations of a competition that started at the end of July on the 25th of August.....and by coincidence is the date that the you....know...what hit the fan. I just hope somebody hasn't been a bold little boy or girl....there may be a hard copy out there.....so be careful. There are some smart people out there who can trace back every keystroke.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1080 - 06/09/2023 22:45:17    2503377

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Replying To ratlag:  "Agree here, some very interesting draw last night in both Keegan and Relegation

Ratoath v Dunshsughlin: Ratoath Win
A local Derby, the current best in the county against a team who I think will in the next 2-3 years be a serious contender for Keegan on a consistent basis. Both teams will fancy their chances here, Dunshaughlin will hope to follow suit in seeing what an average Cilles team did to Ratoath in the last round. Like most beasts though, they are at their most dangerous when they are either wounded or feeling threatened and Ratoath will be feeling both after last weeks game. They were nowhere near good enough to win the game or for the standards they have set over the last number of years and if they can re-focus and get one or two lads back off the injury table then I would fear for what they could do to this Dunshaughlin team. Injuries to Gray and Murphy out for Dunshaughlin leaving them out for the season is massive, whilst Ratoaths aren't season enders, however they will want their lads back training sooner rather than later. I think if McGill gets back, he can mark Costello and add a bit of calm to the Ratoath defense, they have enough quality still to do as they did in the league and put Dunshaughlin to the sword

St Colmcilles v Ashbourne: Cilles
As mentioned above, this is all about what Cilles team shows up as I think they are the better of the two teams. If the one that beat Ratoath last weekend then I see nothing other than an easy Cilles win regardless of how well Ashbourne play. However if the Cilles team that played Moynalvey or Skryne are on show then Ashbourne have every chance of causing an upset. Ashbourne have been poor in the group and yet still find themselves here in the Quarter finals. Unlike Ratoath to pack the defense anyway and this is waht will be needed to stop Cilles who are still very very reliant on Banty inside. They will need to speed up their transition to attack, but if they managed to sneak an early goal then this could be a cagey one to see what kind of bottle Cilles have. The one game I went against Ashbourne so far they ended up winning but I will have to go with a Cilles win here as they are the better team IMO and Ashbourne have shown nothing so far to suggest they will win

Simonstown v Wolfe Tones: Draw
Another Derby which should be a tight tense battle. Simonstown have surprised many so far in topping their group and beating decent opposition along the way. People will mention how it took two late goals in two games but thats irrelevant. Its the final score that matters and only that so if they are trailing for 59 or 60 minutes if won't bother them. They have been solid defensively (last game aside as it was a dead rubber and possibly trying a new tactic) and with McKeever up top are always going to be a threat. Sean Tobin and Ben Hoey are also capable of a score or two as well so they won't be a push over by any means. Tones are also moving well and have some solid seasoned campaigners mixed in with some good young players. A team that knows how to win and grind out results against teams like Simonstown who will set up defensively. I'm very torn here so am going to go with a draw in this game and can't pick for extra time, even though I think Tones are the slightly better team, this will all come down to on the day (Red cards/injuries etc being the deciding factor)

Summerhill v Trim: Summerhill
Another local battle here. The bridesmaids of Meath football against another of the up and comers within the county. The obvious threat here for Summerhill will be Aaron Lynch who has been excellent for Trim this year, however having seen Summerhill manage to keep the like of McMahon, Wallace, Rogers and McGowan relatively quiet in the last few years in the same game, I think they will be able to shut down Lynch, and therefore killing any threat that Trim may possess. Going forward, Summerhill have a number of threats and also have a solid midfield so I expect them to win this one comfortably enough come the final whistle.

The one thing I don't agree with from the above post is Ratoath fearing Wolfe Tones. I don't think they fear anyone and with good reason. They have won games effortlessly, in style, ground out results against the odds and stood up against teams when put under pressure. They've lost two game sin Championship since 2019 (Summerhill in 2019 groups and Wolfe Tones in 2021 semi finals) and that's it. They won't mind who comes in front of them, however they will need to be at 100% to win each game and regain their title as the Cilles showed, if they (or any team for that matter) isn't at their best then there are teams in this county that will punish you"
Going back to the matches that will be going ahead, the relegation games have also served up some crackers:

Ballinbrackey v Skryne: Ballinabrackey
This one is a bit one sided. The Bracks showed in each of the group games that they a good solid team, and apart from a second half dismanteling from the clear 2nd best team in the county over the last 4-5 years they have been a test for anyone. Beating Kells and pushing Tones all the way, losing by a single score. Skryne on the other hand, after a decent display against Colmcilles in Round 1, were torn a sunder by Ratoath in Round 2 and the actually outscore Moynalvey by 12 scores to 10 but concede 4 goals which really leaves you wondering how bad they actually are. Some slight tweaks defensively and they may be able to avoid the ultimate drop, however they won't avoid defeat in this game.

Na Fianna v Senechalstown: (If it goes ahead) Senechalstown
Will it Won't it happen???? An almighty mess up by the county board (shocker). As soon as Croke Pairc issued anything that was slightly different to what the County Board had themselves it should have been made crystal clear and in no uncertain terms as to what criteria was to be used. This should be been done and read out on the night of the draw being made in front of all delegates so that there could be none of this happening now.
I think Na Fianna are slightly the better team here given what I've seen in games to date but all this messing around, not knowing who they will be playing and therefore how to prepare will have to take its toll. I think Senechalstown have not been disgraced in any of their games so far, although being a bit open at the back they are certainly well able to score and I think will win a very tight affair by one or two in the end. Na Fianna however are a good side and if they lose this, will not lose a second game.

Moynalvey v Curraha: Curraha
The pre-season favourites to go down have certainly shown they are far from finished, and only for a Ratoath meltdown could easily be sitting in a Quarter final of Keegan rather than relegation. O Sullivan and McLoughlan have been as efficient as ever in front of the posts, and defensively they have surprised a number of people with how compact and difficult to break down they have been. Curraha are also a team that can count themselves unlucky to be in relegation given how their group panned out. Narrowly beaten by Dunshaughlin and Na Fianna shows they ae by no means whipping boys, and with the array of attacking talent, if they can get a few early scores here should have enough to win this one. However if they get drawn into a dogfight and Moynalvey stay in touch then we could have an absolute belter of a game on our hands.

Dunboyne v Kells: Dunboyne
A game that could have been a Keegan cup final less than 4 years ago, now a relegation game. Kells an team that look in utter disarray at the moment. Showing none of the characteristics associated with them over the last few years like tough, dogged, hardy, clinical. And whilst Dunboyne aren't to dissimilar, in Lenihan they have a player that can (and will) possibly win this game on his own. I think Kells again won't lose a second game, however they are in serious danger of making the drop if they don't up their performances drastically in the next month

ratlag (Meath) - Posts: 582 - 07/09/2023 10:34:55    2503387

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Ratoath royal called it correctly, Meath co. Board win appeal and fixtures go ahead as planned

royler (Meath) - Posts: 278 - 07/09/2023 10:47:08    2503388

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Replying To Pead0bum84:  "Na fianna will at minimum get a play off mark my words . You can't bully the higher powers of the gaa if possible they wouldn't be higher powers. It's scary that you support a club in Meath and are so worried about na fianna I've no ties to any"
I will mark your words alright.
I am not worried about Na Fianna, I am worried about them ruining the meath championship with silly appeals that they are not going to win.
I see Meath GAA won their appeal with the Central Appeals Committee last night.

Maestro (Meath) - Posts: 584 - 07/09/2023 11:07:51    2503393

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Good to see common sense prevail and Meath won their appeal..

Not a great look from Na Fianna, only managed to win 1/3 games in a group that included the IFC from last year, and two relegation quarter finalists from last year - and pulled out the rule book to try and manufacture a way through

hyperache (Meath) - Posts: 254 - 07/09/2023 11:20:26    2503396

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Replying To Pead0bum84:  "Na fianna will at minimum get a play off mark my words . You can't bully the higher powers of the gaa if possible they wouldn't be higher powers. It's scary that you support a club in Meath and are so worried about na fianna I've no ties to any"
well this aged well...

Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 387 - 07/09/2023 13:30:39    2503422

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At least it's cleared up now. Looking forward to a game in swealthering heat on Friday.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/09/2023 15:08:23    2503441

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Colmcilles to beat Ashbourne, Tones to beat Simonstown, Summerhill to beat Trim and I really think Dunshaughlin are a good bet for the weekend at 6/1 (were 8/1) against Ratoath, think Gray is a massive lose but still should be a tight affair especially with Ratoaths injuries at the moment.

redracoon (Meath) - Posts: 57 - 08/09/2023 14:56:30    2503533

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Replying To redracoon:  "Colmcilles to beat Ashbourne, Tones to beat Simonstown, Summerhill to beat Trim and I really think Dunshaughlin are a good bet for the weekend at 6/1 (were 8/1) against Ratoath, think Gray is a massive lose but still should be a tight affair especially with Ratoaths injuries at the moment."
Your dreaming 6/1 in a 2horse race
Bookies are not fools
It's the biggest odds of all the quarters and your picking this one to go against the odds

Ratoath by 7 minimum

Awaywin (Meath) - Posts: 116 - 08/09/2023 15:29:27    2503536

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Colmcilles to Don/ash and tones to beat Simonstown by 4/5, Ratoath to edge Dunshaughlin by 2 and fancy Trim to cause the upset of the round and beat Summerhill by a single point!

Royalroller (Meath) - Posts: 86 - 08/09/2023 18:07:41    2503552

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Replying To stillaroyal:  "My guess:

Simonstown vs Wolfe Tones - Tones by 4
Summerhill vs Trim - Summerhill by 6
Dunshaughlin vs Ratoath - Ratoath by 5
Colmcilles vs Don/Ash - Colmcilles by 3"
Simonstown v Tones, Simonstown by 4
Summerhill v Trim, Summerhill by 10
Dunsaughlin v Ratoath, Dunsaughlin by 2
Colmcilles v Don/Ash Cilles by 1

latouche25 (Meath) - Posts: 540 - 08/09/2023 18:59:38    2503554

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Don/Ash get the better of Cilles after a solid second half performance - game was five minutes away from being called off after the lights went oit

RR (Meath) - Posts: 165 - 08/09/2023 21:54:22    2503558

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It's always next year for the cilles
Let's call a spade a spade
When exactly are they coming?????

Awaywin (Meath) - Posts: 116 - 09/09/2023 03:01:34    2503564

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Replying To Awaywin:  "It's always next year for the cilles
Let's call a spade a spade
When exactly are they coming?????"
33/1 before the championship started for a reason. Some seemed to think it was worth a punt!

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 998 - 09/09/2023 08:08:40    2503566

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Replying To RR:  "Don/Ash get the better of Cilles after a solid second half performance - game was five minutes away from being called off after the lights went oit"
playing a quarter final of championship under lights is a disgrace in my opinion

thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1073 - 09/09/2023 10:36:34    2503577

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Replying To Awaywin:  "It's always next year for the cilles
Let's call a spade a spade
When exactly are they coming?????"
The appeal will probably end up successful and they'll stay in the championship so this could be backfire. But the reality is minor success doesn't translate automatically. If my memory serves me I don't think they've won any under 20/21's lately. And do they have any lads who you're like he should be a Meath senior. Conlon, maybe Beakey as a keeper on the panel. Outside of that how many of their good minors even stared for Meath at under 20 nevermind senior.

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 09/09/2023 11:09:19    2503580

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I know things can happen, but it really isn't acceptable that floodlights can fail in the middle of a Senior Championship Quarter Final and the game delayed for nearly 30 minutes. Why was the game under lights in the first place?

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 998 - 09/09/2023 11:13:08    2503581

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Replying To Awaywin:  "It's always next year for the cilles
Let's call a spade a spade
When exactly are they coming?????"
Cills just came up short against a very determined don/ash side, very entertaining game , with all the controversy leading up to the game , add in a floodlight failure with 5 minutes left and don/ash 1up, referee gave them time to get it sorted , more controversy. don /ash provided an electrician to assist the skryne club solve the problem and after 30 minutes the game resumed , better more organised team won out in the end

royler (Meath) - Posts: 278 - 09/09/2023 11:23:09    2503582

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