No thread and less than 48 hours to go. Should comfortably win this and would guarantee a knockout place. Don't remember us ever playing Waterford so will be a novelty at least going to Dungarvan.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1374 - 18/05/2023 20:52:38    2479508

We played Waterford in a qualifier under Eamon O'Brien I think. Disposed of them easy enough in Navan.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1668 - 19/05/2023 09:58:53    2479576

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1012 - 19/05/2023 10:06:26    2479579

From the team and panel just published i completely agree with how this match is approached . Attemping to consolidate and build confidence . Nice to see the Match is used as a n opportunity to learn and potentially consolidate especially scoring forwards which has been a problem . Selections clearly on merit ,and all other distractions ignored. Best of luck to all on the road to recovery

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1266 - 19/05/2023 10:56:56    2479597

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 998 - 19/05/2023 11:59:11    2479613

The only thing that interests me about the forgone conclusion is frayne been on panel. Apart from that I would be pushing myself to even go.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 19/05/2023 12:27:55    2479620

Royal.Legend (Meath) - Posts: 685 - 19/05/2023 16:21:12    2479680

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 998 - 19/05/2023 21:12:56    2479716

Best of luck to the lads. There's enough experience on the field and a decent midfield to see us out tomorrow but I'd expect a few bumps along the way. Can't read much into it. Down will be the first big test.

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 464 - 19/05/2023 21:27:17    2479717

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1266 - 20/05/2023 10:58:58    2479751

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 20/05/2023 13:59:37    2479768

Wow. That is unbelievable against one of the 2 lowest teams in country. Positive lynch is impressive and Brennan has actually kept us in this game. We are so flat and so open at the back it's like we never played together before. It's borderline embarrassing at this stage.
Look cause Waterford are so bad we will win and indeed might win by 10 or more. But that was one of the worst 35+ minutes of football I have EVER seen from a Meath team. No structure and no game plan against Waterford ffs.
What would Down not do to us if we play like that against them ?? Such a disappointing half

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 20/05/2023 19:15:58    2479803

A win is a win. But I'm sure the players and management will have nightmares about that first half. Down in two weeks and so so much improvement required. Time for excuses is over. Lynch had a v good game great to see frayne get a score and James Mc really brought a bit of grit to the team when introduced good to have him back. Brennan equipped himself well today. Waterford could have had 2 more goals only for fine saves. Our backline is extremely worrying. This group always came down to the next match in two weeks. A awful lot of work needed to be done before them or we could be in for a serious hammering

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 20/05/2023 20:31:02    2479830

Well done to Colm and team again. Good to get another win for all the effort being put in by all. Keep it going lads!

royalproxy (Meath) - Posts: 46 - 20/05/2023 20:37:03    2479831

Well done? Waterford were the lowest scorers in all 4 leagues this year. Today was their highest score in any game…

veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 675 - 20/05/2023 21:40:50    2479851

royalproxy (Meath) - Posts: 46 - 20/05/2023 22:20:27    2479857

1-14 conceded against Waterford (and it could have been more). But don't forget, this will take months if not years and we are building a new team.

BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 998 - 20/05/2023 22:21:02    2479858

Performance against required for next match...dissappointing overall. especially first half. Why ? defence poor even against poor opposition.....workrate questionable by some defenders contributing to poor first half . video evidence will show specifics. Goalkeeper luckily was very good and an area showing definate improvement that hopefully can be sustained against stronger opposition. Costello in my view was completely under utilised and should have been inside forwards for receiving delivery from out the field....still a good player . He has to be fully utilised againct Down,
Better in 2nd half good scoring rate . good midfield Jones and Grey given more time to develop.another area showing improvement. Lynch consolidated his position somewhat ,and self selected for next match on scoring rate alone. Freetaking..work in progress , Bench...... yes will be needed.
Overall not satisfied considering opposition . Massive work to be done in next 2 weeks .Players returning from injury will be a bonus if that happens M eath most definately know they have to improve to beat Down. I think we can win but corrective action and increased workrate is essential.
I do think that agendas become very obvious on this forum whether we want to admit it or not. I continue to declare openly that my agenda is to seek for continous improvement I fully support Colm O Rourke who stated his case clearly re.the 2 years etc..I believe in his integrity. I believe he will do his best to bring improvement In the circumstances to me its common sense and natural justice even that he be given the time to do the job . I dont understand why there should be any other agenda before at least the 2 years have elapsed. To agitate by arriving at definate conclusions at this early stage can only be arrived an agenda . Cririsism as long as its aimed at being constructive is fair game at all times. Would be nice to see a united front here in support of Colm for the next 2 years ,and thus bring about an end to the side show!s

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1266 - 20/05/2023 22:52:19    2479862

Made the trip yesterday myself, it was a stellar evening for a game. I have to say, Fraher Field is set in a lovely location. Dungarvan itself is a lovely town, but the stadium along the river was lovely. And to think I never had been there until last night. I think of it as a perk of this competition.

The atmosphere was dead. No way around it. Apart from people having a few drinks in the centre of town the place was dead. I'd say there was 3/4000 at the game, and that could be optimistic. Had the feeling of a challenge match or early league game. Not much interest: Many of the Waterford kids there had their hurls with them. I will say that Waterford showed much more than I personally thought they could - could have had another goal or two and had some bad wides.

For Meath, it all looked a bit like a 3rd/4th gear game. The game was reasonably close until the early second half until after a sustained period of pressure where they went looking for a goal, Costello scored a goal. Game over. The third goal (penalty) was well taken by Morris., who showed well. Lynch had a good game up front, his movement was good and he took some good scores. Another standout was the keeper who made one or two point blank saves and never stopped barking at his defenders. Ultimately the team played quite well and I was impressed by many of the new brigade. They had more pace, power, and better movement than their opposition on the day, down to league experience.

It's a win. There were warning signs - Waterford ran up the middle and bared down on goal 3/4 times in the game, the marking wasn't great at the back and there was space galore. It only ended 20 scores to 15. And the big one was the slow start where Waterford scored a goal and absolutely should have had another only for a good save. They also seemed to switch off in the last 5/10 minutes when the game was effectively over, but in that time Waterford kicked 4/5 points. In my view that's not an ideal way to end any game. Very difficult to know what to take from this match but it's a 9 point win and onto Down.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 21/05/2023 08:49:31    2479877

royalproxy (Meath) - Posts: 46 - 21/05/2023 09:58:21    2479894