Meath Forum

Meath 2024

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Replying To Meath10:  "Probably wouldn't even be worth your time tbh. Could see a higher standard of training from most senior clubs in Mayo I'd say haha"
Such a nonsense comment, the current Mayo champions just got knocked out of Connacht by the sligo champions. Is it any wonder why lads are stepping away with comments like that.

contributingtoamelee (Meath) - Posts: 55 - 20/11/2024 13:57:05    2580445

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Replying To contributingtoamelee:  "Such a nonsense comment, the current Mayo champions just got knocked out of Connacht by the sligo champions. Is it any wonder why lads are stepping away with comments like that."
Just a bit of tongue in cheek. Obviously I would expect the Meath county team to beat a club team

Meath10 (Meath) - Posts: 190 - 20/11/2024 15:27:53    2580469

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Replying To Meath10:  "Probably wouldn't even be worth your time tbh. Could see a higher standard of training from most senior clubs in Mayo I'd say haha"
Bit of a trek to Mayo from West Meath. Have two girls playing LGFA who'd be happy to watch any Meath team training, Ladies or Men.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7703 - 20/11/2024 16:46:02    2580474

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Eamonn Armstrong heading to Australia.
Good luck to Eamonn but this is an extremely disappointing development for Meath football going forward as the brightest talent in Meath is on his way. Hard to believe he is still just 18 years old but really I think Meath should have seen this coming and perhaps a number of U20s including Eamonn should have been invited into senior setup sooner.
These guys were and clearly are a grade above many of what are already there but I guess we will never know now what Eamonn was likely to bring.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 594 - 22/11/2024 10:06:06    2580683

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Replying To winatallcost:  "Eamonn Armstrong heading to Australia.
Good luck to Eamonn but this is an extremely disappointing development for Meath football going forward as the brightest talent in Meath is on his way. Hard to believe he is still just 18 years old but really I think Meath should have seen this coming and perhaps a number of U20s including Eamonn should have been invited into senior setup sooner.
These guys were and clearly are a grade above many of what are already there but I guess we will never know now what Eamonn was likely to bring."
If they were brought into the senior set up and played senior championship I believe they would have been ineligible for under 20's and we would never have gotten to see the run they went on and winning a Leinster title. Also do you really think bringing a 17 year old into last years set up after under 20's to get absolutely hammered in 3 all Ireland series games would have stopped him going to play professional sport? Also I don't actually think Armstrong was eligible to play senior inter county last year because he hadn't turned 18 by 1 January 2024, Donegal fielded an ineligible player in the McKenna cup because of this rule. So I really don't think Meath could have done much more on this. If he wants to play professional sport we can't do all that much to change his mind unless he got some serious gig from a sponsor. Look at Kerry who would be automatic all Ireland contenders every year, just lost their best emerging talent Cillian Burke who played plenty of senior last year. Selfishly I hope it doesn't work out in the AFL for Eamon but given his athleticism, his rate of improvement and anything I've heard about his attitude it seems like he's a nailed on cert to make it. A huge pity for Meath GAA

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 22/11/2024 13:58:19    2580720

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Massive loss and pity for Meath football in losing Eamonn Armstrong to the AFL. Atleast he is able to play with the U20s this year so hopefully they can bring some success. In terms of the AFL, Massive congratulations to the young man on making it, let's not criticise anyone or any decisions made here. I don't blame any player especially at 18 when so young to go and play out in Australia in a professional set-up it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and at such a young age if it doesn't work out for him he can always come back home and still have plenty of years of football in him. An AFL contract can't be ignored, Inter county football is almost/if not just as much commitment to play as the AFL but you get no contracts here. Best of luck to the young man, hope all goes well

SillySimonsOpinion (Meath) - Posts: 64 - 22/11/2024 14:59:10    2580729

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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99:  "If they were brought into the senior set up and played senior championship I believe they would have been ineligible for under 20's and we would never have gotten to see the run they went on and winning a Leinster title. Also do you really think bringing a 17 year old into last years set up after under 20's to get absolutely hammered in 3 all Ireland series games would have stopped him going to play professional sport? Also I don't actually think Armstrong was eligible to play senior inter county last year because he hadn't turned 18 by 1 January 2024, Donegal fielded an ineligible player in the McKenna cup because of this rule. So I really don't think Meath could have done much more on this. If he wants to play professional sport we can't do all that much to change his mind unless he got some serious gig from a sponsor. Look at Kerry who would be automatic all Ireland contenders every year, just lost their best emerging talent Cillian Burke who played plenty of senior last year. Selfishly I hope it doesn't work out in the AFL for Eamon but given his athleticism, his rate of improvement and anything I've heard about his attitude it seems like he's a nailed on cert to make it. A huge pity for Meath GAA"
I obviously meant post the U20 championship when eliminated in semi final. Tyrone drafted in 5 players and they went and won final. He wasn't eligible for minor in 2024 so is he not eligible for adult after that? I wasn't only referring to Armstrong and was he actually called into panel since Brennan came in?

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 594 - 22/11/2024 15:00:25    2580731

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Replying To winatallcost:  "Eamonn Armstrong heading to Australia.
Good luck to Eamonn but this is an extremely disappointing development for Meath football going forward as the brightest talent in Meath is on his way. Hard to believe he is still just 18 years old but really I think Meath should have seen this coming and perhaps a number of U20s including Eamonn should have been invited into senior setup sooner.
These guys were and clearly are a grade above many of what are already there but I guess we will never know now what Eamonn was likely to bring."
Absolute pure and utter waffle to even attempt to suggest any fault by anyone in the Meath set up including the previous management for this happening because he wasn't invited in to the meath set up for a few months.

The lad has an opportunity to pursue a career as a professional athlete something which is obviously has an ambition to do and good luck to him. The Gaa cannot and will not be able to offer him this in the next 20 years IMO. Him being on the meath panel for 3 or 4 months earlier in the year would not have made any difference. A truly ridiculous statement.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1012 - 22/11/2024 15:21:54    2580736

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Replying To winatallcost:  "I obviously meant post the U20 championship when eliminated in semi final. Tyrone drafted in 5 players and they went and won final. He wasn't eligible for minor in 2024 so is he not eligible for adult after that? I wasn't only referring to Armstrong and was he actually called into panel since Brennan came in?"
No he wouldn't have been eligible after under 20 finished because he was still 17 at the start of 2021. Seems a very silly rule but it is the rule.(Link to the ruling where McGuinness was suspended).https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2024/0108/1425422-mcguinness-hit-with-eight-week-ban/. In terms of other under 20's coming in, did any of those Tyrone lads actually play, and Tyrone if I remember correctly didn't exactly get on too well. And in regards this year I'm not sure if he was asked in. They've only got together very recently and I'd imagine by that time it was pretty much signed and sealed that Armstrong was going to Aus. How did he got on for Duleek in the championship this year? I only saw the Ballivor game and he was fine without standing out. Even with the under 20's from last year I'd be surprised if any of them bar maybe Kinlough and O'Halloran are playing big minutes for Meath this year

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 22/11/2024 15:55:42    2580744

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Replying To Blackspot09:  "Absolute pure and utter waffle to even attempt to suggest any fault by anyone in the Meath set up including the previous management for this happening because he wasn't invited in to the meath set up for a few months.

The lad has an opportunity to pursue a career as a professional athlete something which is obviously has an ambition to do and good luck to him. The Gaa cannot and will not be able to offer him this in the next 20 years IMO. Him being on the meath panel for 3 or 4 months earlier in the year would not have made any difference. A truly ridiculous statement."
This guy is obviously a huge talent and possibly a generational one and if were in Dublin or some of the other counties, would we have the same situation. Daire Cregg just came out this week about turning down an opportunity in Oz for the love of playing with his team mates and the fact the existing Roscommon gives young guys a chance. Was there any attempt to give Eammonn or other young talents we have a pathway forward through scholarships, career path etc with Meath. I am not blaming previous management team but what is county boards plan for good young players. Michael Duignan in a recent interview about his chairman role in Offaly spoke in detail about the amount of effort that goes into dozens of young players in terms of supporting education, career and development even for those that may not necessarily make it but in the hope that a small number do. I actually am not clear on what exactly is planned or offered for young talents in Meath. Understand we can't compete with professional codes but what do we offer?

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 594 - 22/11/2024 16:14:51    2580746

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I thought Eamon Armstrong could have been a Jack McCaffrey type player for meath, what a blow for the county.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 184 - 22/11/2024 21:38:26    2580773

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Replying To winatallcost:  "This guy is obviously a huge talent and possibly a generational one and if were in Dublin or some of the other counties, would we have the same situation. Daire Cregg just came out this week about turning down an opportunity in Oz for the love of playing with his team mates and the fact the existing Roscommon gives young guys a chance. Was there any attempt to give Eammonn or other young talents we have a pathway forward through scholarships, career path etc with Meath. I am not blaming previous management team but what is county boards plan for good young players. Michael Duignan in a recent interview about his chairman role in Offaly spoke in detail about the amount of effort that goes into dozens of young players in terms of supporting education, career and development even for those that may not necessarily make it but in the hope that a small number do. I actually am not clear on what exactly is planned or offered for young talents in Meath. Understand we can't compete with professional codes but what do we offer?"
You're last line is key here.

For the lads who have an ambition to be a professional athlete we can't compete. We cannot offer anything. I have no doubt that EA would have had his pick of College scholarships from UCD DCU or any other top college in the country.

What has Daire Cregg and what he chose to do got to do with Eamon Armstrong and his decision to pursue a career as a professional athlete ?

Would we have the same situation in Dublin or other counties?? Well the answer is yes. Kerry have just lost a big talent to the AFL . James Madden from Dublin is coming home after 6 years over there and has possibly missed out on 1 or 2 All Ireland medals by going over there to play so for some it doesn't matter what county they are from and how good or bad that county is or what they can offer them in terms of scholarships or career paths.

Nobody has done anything wrong here. Nobody has dropped the ball and Nobody is asleep at the wheel. The kid wants a career as a professional athlete so unless the Gaa can offer that which we all know they can't well then there was nothing anyone could do to keep him.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1012 - 22/11/2024 23:06:35    2580776

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Replying To Blackspot09:  "You're last line is key here.

For the lads who have an ambition to be a professional athlete we can't compete. We cannot offer anything. I have no doubt that EA would have had his pick of College scholarships from UCD DCU or any other top college in the country.

What has Daire Cregg and what he chose to do got to do with Eamon Armstrong and his decision to pursue a career as a professional athlete ?

Would we have the same situation in Dublin or other counties?? Well the answer is yes. Kerry have just lost a big talent to the AFL . James Madden from Dublin is coming home after 6 years over there and has possibly missed out on 1 or 2 All Ireland medals by going over there to play so for some it doesn't matter what county they are from and how good or bad that county is or what they can offer them in terms of scholarships or career paths.

Nobody has done anything wrong here. Nobody has dropped the ball and Nobody is asleep at the wheel. The kid wants a career as a professional athlete so unless the Gaa can offer that which we all know they can't well then there was nothing anyone could do to keep him."
I'm absolutely devasted at this loss for the county but also delighted for the young lad himself, he'd be a fool not to!
But please I don't get the obsession to let on its a level playing field and every county loses players... it's not! Armstrong was the best young meath footballer since Geraghty and IMO the best minor in the country since Clifford. Absolutely dominated games like a man playing against boys in the same way an 18 year old Conor Nash dominated a senior championship a few years back and left for the same sport. Convenient how you mention madden yet you could mention one of the only other dublin players like eh lets see Ciaran Kilkenny maybe.... how did he get on? He came back after a few months, would he have came back to Meath or Kildare or Louth Gaa? Ha! Would he hell. Nothing even about this sport any more unfortunately

Northsidegaels (Meath) - Posts: 241 - 23/11/2024 11:06:22    2580802

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Replying To Northsidegaels:  "I'm absolutely devasted at this loss for the county but also delighted for the young lad himself, he'd be a fool not to!
But please I don't get the obsession to let on its a level playing field and every county loses players... it's not! Armstrong was the best young meath footballer since Geraghty and IMO the best minor in the country since Clifford. Absolutely dominated games like a man playing against boys in the same way an 18 year old Conor Nash dominated a senior championship a few years back and left for the same sport. Convenient how you mention madden yet you could mention one of the only other dublin players like eh lets see Ciaran Kilkenny maybe.... how did he get on? He came back after a few months, would he have came back to Meath or Kildare or Louth Gaa? Ha! Would he hell. Nothing even about this sport any more unfortunately"
Best minor since Clifford is a huge statement, EA didn't stand out at minor level for Meath. He was one of the best u20 players in the country last year but went back to D/B and the only time I saw him play he didn't stand out.

He wouldn't have been in with the Meath set up this year as he would still have been with the u20s and I don't think he has done enough at club level to justify a selection.

Now is he a big loss to Meath Gaa going forward, we'll never know but I wish him all the best in the AFL and hopefully he goes on to have the success some of the Irish players have had there.

Dublin were very lucky the didn't unearth Brian Fenton until he was 21 or the AFL could have swallowed him and he would have probably made it out there. The Dubs couldn't hold on to Kilkenny only for him to not hit the ground running out there he packed it in knowing he was coming back to a Dublin team that had a great chance of winning All Irelands.

We've lost McBride, Nash and now EA to AFL, McBride came back and hopefully it's only time until Nash is back.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 409 - 23/11/2024 12:34:37    2580810

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Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "Best minor since Clifford is a huge statement, EA didn't stand out at minor level for Meath. He was one of the best u20 players in the country last year but went back to D/B and the only time I saw him play he didn't stand out.

He wouldn't have been in with the Meath set up this year as he would still have been with the u20s and I don't think he has done enough at club level to justify a selection.

Now is he a big loss to Meath Gaa going forward, we'll never know but I wish him all the best in the AFL and hopefully he goes on to have the success some of the Irish players have had there.

Dublin were very lucky the didn't unearth Brian Fenton until he was 21 or the AFL could have swallowed him and he would have probably made it out there. The Dubs couldn't hold on to Kilkenny only for him to not hit the ground running out there he packed it in knowing he was coming back to a Dublin team that had a great chance of winning All Irelands.

We've lost McBride, Nash and now EA to AFL, McBride came back and hopefully it's only time until Nash is back."
I'm choosing to believe he'll go the Conor Glass route, a great experience and full professional apprenticeship before returning to lead us to glory. It's the hope that kills ya.

MeathAbroad (Meath) - Posts: 101 - 23/11/2024 15:13:54    2580820

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Replying To Northsidegaels:  "I'm absolutely devasted at this loss for the county but also delighted for the young lad himself, he'd be a fool not to!
But please I don't get the obsession to let on its a level playing field and every county loses players... it's not! Armstrong was the best young meath footballer since Geraghty and IMO the best minor in the country since Clifford. Absolutely dominated games like a man playing against boys in the same way an 18 year old Conor Nash dominated a senior championship a few years back and left for the same sport. Convenient how you mention madden yet you could mention one of the only other dublin players like eh lets see Ciaran Kilkenny maybe.... how did he get on? He came back after a few months, would he have came back to Meath or Kildare or Louth Gaa? Ha! Would he hell. Nothing even about this sport any more unfortunately"
The best young footballer since Geraghty is a big big big claim...

An absolutely incredible athlete no doubt.

But the best young meath footballer since Geraghty... steady on lad.

And I'm not even getting into your comparisons of him to Clifford.

Fact is you are totally missing the point here. The kid wants to be a pro athlete. Nothing meath could offer is going to match that. Nothing any county can offer including All Ireland medals can match that if the player has their heart set on being a pro athlete.

Of course there are loads of examples of players who came back pretty quickly or turned it down altogether there always will be players who turn it down because the lure of being a professional athlete is not as appealing to them that they would choose to take up Aussie rules but everyone is different.

For some it's a big ambition to be a professional athlete. It seems this is the case with Eamon Armstrong. I'm not sure what part of that you don't understand.

Answer me this please.

If he desperately wants to be a professional athlete and is offered the opportunity to become a professional athlete what could Meath or any county possibly offer him to rival being a professional athlete ?

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1012 - 24/11/2024 23:25:47    2581088

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My Team for first round of the League
1. Dominic York
2. Donal Keoghan
3. Padraic Harnan
4. Micheal Flood
5. Harry O'Higgins
6. Ronan Jones
7. Ronan Ryan
8. Conor Gray
9. Cian Mcbride
10. Shane Walsh
11. Eoghan Frayne
12. Gary Breslin
13. Shane Walsh
14. Jimmy Conlon
15. Mat Costello

Subs Aaron Lynch , Ross Ryan , Sean Emmanuel , Adam Kelly , Cathal Lacey , Micheal Murphy , Sean Ryan , Joey Wallace , Conor McGill , Brian Menton

DefenceWinsChampionships (Meath) - Posts: 45 - 27/11/2024 09:53:04    2581427

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Replying To SillySimonsOpinion:  "Massive loss and pity for Meath football in losing Eamonn Armstrong to the AFL. Atleast he is able to play with the U20s this year so hopefully they can bring some success. In terms of the AFL, Massive congratulations to the young man on making it, let's not criticise anyone or any decisions made here. I don't blame any player especially at 18 when so young to go and play out in Australia in a professional set-up it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and at such a young age if it doesn't work out for him he can always come back home and still have plenty of years of football in him. An AFL contract can't be ignored, Inter county football is almost/if not just as much commitment to play as the AFL but you get no contracts here. Best of luck to the young man, hope all goes well"
I don't think he is the best, ok has potential but so to do many lads and are just not good enough. Go back to early rounds of the u20's and was average. Didn't start a lot for the club this year either and take Kerry in the u20 semi final, Never got a kick. Just some facts but wish him well and id love to be proven wrong.

Nothingbutthetruth (Meath) - Posts: 84 - 28/11/2024 12:53:29    2581583

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Replying To DefenceWinsChampionships:  "My Team for first round of the League
1. Dominic York
2. Donal Keoghan
3. Padraic Harnan
4. Micheal Flood
5. Harry O'Higgins
6. Ronan Jones
7. Ronan Ryan
8. Conor Gray
9. Cian Mcbride
10. Shane Walsh
11. Eoghan Frayne
12. Gary Breslin
13. Shane Walsh
14. Jimmy Conlon
15. Mat Costello

Subs Aaron Lynch , Ross Ryan , Sean Emmanuel , Adam Kelly , Cathal Lacey , Micheal Murphy , Sean Ryan , Joey Wallace , Conor McGill , Brian Menton"
What did Billy Hogan do to you to not even get in the match day squad?!

Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 387 - 28/11/2024 13:19:31    2581586

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Armstrong is a great GAA prospect. But some of the comparisons are a bit OTT.
He had one class game again Louth and next of all he's the messiah. Don't get me wrong, again, he's very good. If he was that good though, he wouldn't have been marked out of it in the Semi Final again Kerry.
The school I teach in was playing his school (St Mary's) a couple of weeks back, and he was again marked out of it by a lad his own age #realitycheck

Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 387 - 28/11/2024 13:22:36    2581589

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