Meath Forum

Meath V Down TC Final.

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Replying To Ed2010:  "We are back to this narrative. Not sure you can call it successfull when we have been relegated to tier 2. We won that tier two competition as the highest rated team in it. Don't get me wrong it COULD prove beneficial in the long run so I'd say satisfactory end to the year... certainly not successful"
This has been the narrative for quite a while, can only be considered a success when taking last two years into account. What would we have achieved if we had beaten Offaly? At least the last few months have given us the chance to regroup, rebuild and gain confidence, that for me is success and it will prove beneficial over coming years. Enjoy the win and stop looking for negatives, we have used tier two to our benefit and can look forward to playing in top tier next year, which is just reward for a great group of players and management.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 16/07/2023 13:58:58    2494774

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Replying To seadog54:  "This has been the narrative for quite a while, can only be considered a success when taking last two years into account. What would we have achieved if we had beaten Offaly? At least the last few months have given us the chance to regroup, rebuild and gain confidence, that for me is success and it will prove beneficial over coming years. Enjoy the win and stop looking for negatives, we have used tier two to our benefit and can look forward to playing in top tier next year, which is just reward for a great group of players and management."
Great....ok. not being negative at all. Calling it as I see it. Second half scores were fantastic but I've never seen a luckier goal in my life than the one we scored and with down missing 4 good goal chances I think we need to calm down over the performance. It was good in spots but not 'great' overall. Just a non blinkered assessment

Ed2010 (Meath) - Posts: 109 - 16/07/2023 14:12:02    2494778

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Replying To Ashrules:  "Well It would be worse if Meath dropped into the Tailteann cup and didn't win it. So a bit of face saving. Well done to the young lads who worked hard and were not responsible for earlier mess ups prior to the cup . It is time for celebration and plan next year and onward later.

Again Managers should be kept away from microphones after matches when excited. Preferably leave the limelight to the players. The TV panel were bemused about what Chariot races and spear throwing had to do with anything"
Lighten up, its called humour and seems to have gone over your head. Everything Colm said was about the group of players and how good they were and a pleasure to work with. What do you want? Good to see a manager express his joy, instead of the usual rubbish trotted out. Panel members know COR well and were far from bemused. Enjoy the win, leave the nitpicking for another day.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 16/07/2023 14:14:13    2494779

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Replying To Ed2010:  "Great....ok. not being negative at all. Calling it as I see it. Second half scores were fantastic but I've never seen a luckier goal in my life than the one we scored and with down missing 4 good goal chances I think we need to calm down over the performance. It was good in spots but not 'great' overall. Just a non blinkered assessment"
Lucky goal no doubt and it kept us inthe game, however these things happen ( ladies saw other side yesterday) Both sides missed many chances as happens in every sport on regular basis. Supporters can be very hard on our own teams often picking faults that we overlook in others and I include myself in this. Meath won a cup and the lads playing seemed to really enjoy it, not a lot more we can ask for at this stage of development. If we had lost only ones to blame would have been ourselves, so many mistakes, poor handling and turnovers in first half could have cost us, but after five minutes of second half, handling, decision making and workrate improved plus the introduction of subs which worked well this time, and we were deserving winners in difficult enough conditions. Overall a good preformance with plenty of room to improve and thats they way you want it, big wins can cover the cracks, Down hammering Laois, Meath doing likewise to Kerry years back often gives a false sence of security. A number of our starting forwards had an off day but others stood up and got us over the line, another sign of a good team. This is a very decent team, yes we need to find a few more and hopefully the club championship will see a few put their hands up.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 16/07/2023 15:06:56    2494792

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A great win and a fine second half performance! Fantastic to see this group of players and management with some silverware and smiles on faces all round. Onwards and upwards from here. Well done to all involved.

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2003 - 16/07/2023 16:19:11    2494814

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Replying To Ed2010:  "Great....ok. not being negative at all. Calling it as I see it. Second half scores were fantastic but I've never seen a luckier goal in my life than the one we scored and with down missing 4 good goal chances I think we need to calm down over the performance. It was good in spots but not 'great' overall. Just a non blinkered assessment"
I think this year is all about improvement and yes improvement is clearly there to be seen . Yes there is plenty of room for more improvement . Thats the only agenda for the next year. Yes the goal was very lucky and in my view an OG even. So what? thats football and thanks for that .
As someone who tends to be critical or maybe even glass half empty I see good grounds for optimism going forward.
I particularily like the healthy "vibes" from players . Great to see some great high fielding from our lads ,and giving our goalkeeper that option A very definite and welcome improvement area plus scoring from long range Players look to be free to enjoy themselves but take responsibility. as well . COR influence positive and starting to show more., justifying giving him the time he suggested initially. In my view yesterday was a good confidence booster for a lot of the younger lads on a learning curve. Well done to all. A lot done ,and a lot more to do .

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1266 - 16/07/2023 16:58:28    2494830

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Replying To Ashrules:  "Well It would be worse if Meath dropped into the Tailteann cup and didn't win it. So a bit of face saving. Well done to the young lads who worked hard and were not responsible for earlier mess ups prior to the cup . It is time for celebration and plan next year and onward later.

Again Managers should be kept away from microphones after matches when excited. Preferably leave the limelight to the players. The TV panel were bemused about what Chariot races and spear throwing had to do with anything"
I thought Colm's interview was a breath of fresh air. Far more memorable than the constant "Ah shur lookit" interviews you usually get from all players and managers.
Regardless of how Colm's tenure goes, I've the utmost respect for him for giving up a very cushy media number and putting his head above the parapet to take the job. Hopefully yesterday's result is the first step in a resurgence in our fortunes in the coming years. Not going to get my hopes up just yet though. We've had way too many false dawns before.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1374 - 16/07/2023 21:29:23    2494933

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Replying To nobull456:  "I think this year is all about improvement and yes improvement is clearly there to be seen . Yes there is plenty of room for more improvement . Thats the only agenda for the next year. Yes the goal was very lucky and in my view an OG even. So what? thats football and thanks for that .
As someone who tends to be critical or maybe even glass half empty I see good grounds for optimism going forward.
I particularily like the healthy "vibes" from players . Great to see some great high fielding from our lads ,and giving our goalkeeper that option A very definite and welcome improvement area plus scoring from long range Players look to be free to enjoy themselves but take responsibility. as well . COR influence positive and starting to show more., justifying giving him the time he suggested initially. In my view yesterday was a good confidence booster for a lot of the younger lads on a learning curve. Well done to all. A lot done ,and a lot more to do ."
I agree that there is optimism going forward. It would be setting a low bar to be satisfied with the tailteann cup.

I would not see this as a great year for improvement . We scraped above the drop to Div. 3 and beat weak counties in the tailteann. I am optimistic because I think players are there and better ones. COR took a distinct dislike to clubs bordering Dublin (with reason in fairness) and gave preference to lads from anywhere else, Problem there is that he left out the stronger players in the stronger senior clubs from Cilles, Ratoath, Dunboyne, Ashbourne , Na Fianna, and more, I am sure the lads picked look favourably on COR because they would not be there without him , but I would not see him as the way to a more positive situation overall.

Ashrules (Dublin) - Posts: 553 - 16/07/2023 22:05:33    2494939

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It's never fails to amaze me the amount of folk on here whose focus is perpetually negative. None of us wanted to be in this tournament but it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise, allowing us to get more games under our belt, give a host of Championship debuts to fellas, got used to winning a string of games (doesn't matter who it is against either, it's a habit) including winning at Croke Park and have something approaching a settled side. Also Colm's interview was funny, absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of whimsy!

GlasgowRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 293 - 16/07/2023 22:51:43    2494947

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Replying To Ashrules:  "I agree that there is optimism going forward. It would be setting a low bar to be satisfied with the tailteann cup.

I would not see this as a great year for improvement . We scraped above the drop to Div. 3 and beat weak counties in the tailteann. I am optimistic because I think players are there and better ones. COR took a distinct dislike to clubs bordering Dublin (with reason in fairness) and gave preference to lads from anywhere else, Problem there is that he left out the stronger players in the stronger senior clubs from Cilles, Ratoath, Dunboyne, Ashbourne , Na Fianna, and more, I am sure the lads picked look favourably on COR because they would not be there without him , but I would not see him as the way to a more positive situation overall."
Some statement re clubs being overlooked, does anyone believe that a county manager would overlook players based on what club they are from ????

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1494 - 16/07/2023 23:38:08    2494952

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Replying To Ashrules:  "I agree that there is optimism going forward. It would be setting a low bar to be satisfied with the tailteann cup.

I would not see this as a great year for improvement . We scraped above the drop to Div. 3 and beat weak counties in the tailteann. I am optimistic because I think players are there and better ones. COR took a distinct dislike to clubs bordering Dublin (with reason in fairness) and gave preference to lads from anywhere else, Problem there is that he left out the stronger players in the stronger senior clubs from Cilles, Ratoath, Dunboyne, Ashbourne , Na Fianna, and more, I am sure the lads picked look favourably on COR because they would not be there without him , but I would not see him as the way to a more positive situation overall."
I agree with you Ashrules. I would not get too carried away with winning a competition involving Div 3 and Div 4 teams but it does give a feel good factor at the end of a disappointing year. And it has allowed a lot of young players to get plenty of game time albeit against poor opposition.
Regarding players overlooked from the clubs you mentioned. Who has COR left out (apart from the well documented situation with McGill) ?

kingofclubs (Meath) - Posts: 330 - 17/07/2023 08:42:11    2494967

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Replying To Ashrules:  "Well It would be worse if Meath dropped into the Tailteann cup and didn't win it. So a bit of face saving. Well done to the young lads who worked hard and were not responsible for earlier mess ups prior to the cup . It is time for celebration and plan next year and onward later.

Again Managers should be kept away from microphones after matches when excited. Preferably leave the limelight to the players. The TV panel were bemused about what Chariot races and spear throwing had to do with anything"
Fair play to a manager who came on and went off script and had a laugh. If it was Dessie or Kiely or Joyce it would be the same monotonous talk about the tough challenge Down posed blah blah blah

Tinchy1 (Meath) - Posts: 66 - 17/07/2023 08:59:47    2494972

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Replying To Ashrules:  "I agree that there is optimism going forward. It would be setting a low bar to be satisfied with the tailteann cup.

I would not see this as a great year for improvement . We scraped above the drop to Div. 3 and beat weak counties in the tailteann. I am optimistic because I think players are there and better ones. COR took a distinct dislike to clubs bordering Dublin (with reason in fairness) and gave preference to lads from anywhere else, Problem there is that he left out the stronger players in the stronger senior clubs from Cilles, Ratoath, Dunboyne, Ashbourne , Na Fianna, and more, I am sure the lads picked look favourably on COR because they would not be there without him , but I would not see him as the way to a more positive situation overall."
"He left out the stronger players from Cilles,Ratoath,Dunboyne,Ashbourne,and more" ?? WHO are those players ? In fairness it appears to me everyone who was worth a chance was given it . In fairnes a general statement like yours needs to supported by specifics ! WHO ??

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1266 - 17/07/2023 09:04:24    2494975

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Replying To Ashrules:  "I agree that there is optimism going forward. It would be setting a low bar to be satisfied with the tailteann cup.

I would not see this as a great year for improvement . We scraped above the drop to Div. 3 and beat weak counties in the tailteann. I am optimistic because I think players are there and better ones. COR took a distinct dislike to clubs bordering Dublin (with reason in fairness) and gave preference to lads from anywhere else, Problem there is that he left out the stronger players in the stronger senior clubs from Cilles, Ratoath, Dunboyne, Ashbourne , Na Fianna, and more, I am sure the lads picked look favourably on COR because they would not be there without him , but I would not see him as the way to a more positive situation overall."
Who are the players that have been left out from these clubs? Mcgill was dropped for not wanting to do things the manager wanted

juicy (Meath) - Posts: 402 - 17/07/2023 09:19:31    2494981

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Replying To Ashrules:  "I agree that there is optimism going forward. It would be setting a low bar to be satisfied with the tailteann cup.

I would not see this as a great year for improvement . We scraped above the drop to Div. 3 and beat weak counties in the tailteann. I am optimistic because I think players are there and better ones. COR took a distinct dislike to clubs bordering Dublin (with reason in fairness) and gave preference to lads from anywhere else, Problem there is that he left out the stronger players in the stronger senior clubs from Cilles, Ratoath, Dunboyne, Ashbourne , Na Fianna, and more, I am sure the lads picked look favourably on COR because they would not be there without him , but I would not see him as the way to a more positive situation overall."
I am intrigued.. What "reason" would COR have for having a dislike to clubs bordering Dublin?

I'm actually amazed that this type of waffle still gets put out there. That a manager would purposely ignore better players than he has on his panel because they are from certain clubs and certain areas. It's absolute pie in the sky stuff.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1012 - 17/07/2023 09:39:45    2494985

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Replying To Tinchy1:  "Fair play to a manager who came on and went off script and had a laugh. If it was Dessie or Kiely or Joyce it would be the same monotonous talk about the tough challenge Down posed blah blah blah"
I agree. It was a brilliant interview .

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1012 - 17/07/2023 09:46:08    2494988

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Replying To Blackspot09:  "I agree. It was a brilliant interview ."
Loved the bit of Latin at the end ;o)

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4051 - 17/07/2023 10:18:09    2495004

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I was a very happy man Saturday evening and woke up with a considerable, but enjoyable, hangover Sunday morning which I had to cure yesterday so I certainly milked the success as much as I could. I genuinely think the TC has been good for Meath and it has brought great improvement as well as a fair dash of confidence and belief, that's not saying more isn't needed, clearly there is room for further improvement, but players have had big match experience and also experienced climbing the steps of the Hogan for a piece of silver, the effect of that can't be underestimated in my view, the reaction of players and management was fantastic to see and I sense a real unity amongst the panel. Players should have a real spring in their step going back to their clubs now for championship and look forward to next year's league with a fair bit of enthusiasm where a singular focus of trying to get promotion could be a great help. Well done all on turning what seemed a disaster of a year into one that ended with positivity and a trophy.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3744 - 17/07/2023 15:50:12    2495162

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First of all well done to management and the team on winning the cup.Yes we were top ranked team and in reality should be winning it but that said the way the league and championship went I thought we would do very well to win it.It can only be a positive winning it,the young lads winning a trophy in croke park can only fill them with confidence and the older lads on the team it will surely fuel their engine s and make them want to stay part of this team and hopefully get more big game results.It was great to see Colm so happy and animated after the game and heap praise on the team saying they were a wonderful group of players to work with at least 3 or 4 times.The buy in from all for the TC was impressive and shows these lads have alot of pride wearing the green Jersey.While of course there is alot to do and work on, it's great to have a feel good factor after a turbulent year.We are now in the all Ireland year which is massive and hopefully put it up to and be competitive with the top teams as this young team learns it's way.It was great to leave croke park with a win and a trophy let's hope there is more to come.Well done to all and up the Royal.

Proudroyal (Meath) - Posts: 296 - 17/07/2023 16:12:47    2495176

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Podcast from Chronicle worth a listen. Hopefully a good turnout in PT tonight.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2196 - 17/07/2023 16:53:35    2495194

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