Meath Forum

Senior Championship

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Can we set up a public enquiry about the Ratoath situation, the thread is about the Senior championship, there are still 8 teams involved between Winning and relegation, maybe focus on those teams ?

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1494 - 26/09/2024 12:22:27    2571925

Link

Replying To madmeath:  "Who would like to see the Tones in the final?
Although Wolfe Tones are a great club, have some fantastic players/people involved in the club and have being in the semifinals the last four years, I hope this year for the sake of having a proper, entertaining and enjoyable football County final that Skryne beat the Tones in the Semi final.
I have seen the Tones twice in this year's championship and almost every game they played in the championship has been dour and for that reason any two of the other three teams will make for a better final.
The Tones did not even score a goal in three of their four games (Dunshaughlin scored 11) and have scored less than an average of 12 points per game, two games in the single digits and never had more than ten scores in all four of their championship games. The other three semi finalists have scored an average of between 16 and 20 points per game and Dunboyne had 20 scores in one game. Because the Tones are so good defensively, the opposition also scores a lot less.
I may be harsh on the Tones and what they have achieved but if I am paying €20 into the final, I would like to get value for my money and see an entertaining game of football."
Tones will only love to see this type of post. And I would be very surprised if they didn't beat Skryne in the semi final tbh

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 26/09/2024 15:57:49    2571987

Link

The above poster isn't wrong about the Tones, they set up very well defensively and don't concede a lot. It was the reason why they won in 2021. Harry Ronney won't dominate like the last day, if Tones have Callaghan available then that is a big plus. O Regan will pick up Saran. I reckon Tones by 4, Skryne don't have the forwards to pick apart the meanest defensive in Meath.

Dunboyne vs Dunshaughlin could be a ding dong battle. Hard to call a winner but I think Dunshaughlin are on a wave at the minute with the youth driving the more experienced heads on. Dunboyne on the other hand have a good spine with plenty of inter county experience and a very good manager. Draw with penalties to follow.

I think both teams would rather play Skyrne in a final as they would back their forwards to win it whereas Tones are a different animal will be hard to break down.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 409 - 26/09/2024 18:06:02    2572003

Link

Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "The above poster isn't wrong about the Tones, they set up very well defensively and don't concede a lot. It was the reason why they won in 2021. Harry Ronney won't dominate like the last day, if Tones have Callaghan available then that is a big plus. O Regan will pick up Saran. I reckon Tones by 4, Skryne don't have the forwards to pick apart the meanest defensive in Meath.

Dunboyne vs Dunshaughlin could be a ding dong battle. Hard to call a winner but I think Dunshaughlin are on a wave at the minute with the youth driving the more experienced heads on. Dunboyne on the other hand have a good spine with plenty of inter county experience and a very good manager. Draw with penalties to follow.

I think both teams would rather play Skyrne in a final as they would back their forwards to win it whereas Tones are a different animal will be hard to break down."
Tones are the worst of the 4 teams left by a long way they are in the Semi final on the back of really good draw. The bookies are seldom wrong on this. I have seen them play on several occasions this year and to say they are ultra defensive is an under statement puke football as was described by Spillane. 15 men behind the ball most of the time and very slow to move the ball. Depending on Ward and Sheppard to drive them on and Callaghan 3 old men. Kells were the best team by a mile against them and were very unlucky not to get the win. Dunboyne would have beat them by a point a man but for the refereeing or the lack of it. Simonstown should have beaten them and they are a poor team.

Skryne have improved out of sight this year as can be seen by their league form and the way they have improved as the championship progressed. nf+#ZJ94ery good in the Quarter final. Tight marking backs without anyone standing out. Rooney in great form in the middle and Campion back to his best after the injuries add in all the Finnerty's and I can see them taking this Tones team apart at the back. Skryne by 8+

Dunsaughlin are the new kids on the block, big powerful and mobile, hungry for success and playing a great brand of football. Tight marking backs, big powerful midfield and fast direct forwards with the best forward in the county at the moment They put everyone on notice with the semi final performance. Fast direct ball into the forwards and make space for them to work in.
Dunboyne are much improved this year, they have a number of lads back from travelling and injury the defense are mean and don't concede to many scores strong around the middle with Jones back to his best. With Lenihan pulling the strings up front they will be hard to stop. I don't know where this one will go could be a draw with extra time to find a winner. But the county champions will definitely come from this game.

latouche25 (Meath) - Posts: 540 - 27/09/2024 08:32:52    2572048

Link

Replying To latouche25:  "Tones are the worst of the 4 teams left by a long way they are in the Semi final on the back of really good draw. The bookies are seldom wrong on this. I have seen them play on several occasions this year and to say they are ultra defensive is an under statement puke football as was described by Spillane. 15 men behind the ball most of the time and very slow to move the ball. Depending on Ward and Sheppard to drive them on and Callaghan 3 old men. Kells were the best team by a mile against them and were very unlucky not to get the win. Dunboyne would have beat them by a point a man but for the refereeing or the lack of it. Simonstown should have beaten them and they are a poor team.

Skryne have improved out of sight this year as can be seen by their league form and the way they have improved as the championship progressed. nf+#ZJ94ery good in the Quarter final. Tight marking backs without anyone standing out. Rooney in great form in the middle and Campion back to his best after the injuries add in all the Finnerty's and I can see them taking this Tones team apart at the back. Skryne by 8+

Dunsaughlin are the new kids on the block, big powerful and mobile, hungry for success and playing a great brand of football. Tight marking backs, big powerful midfield and fast direct forwards with the best forward in the county at the moment They put everyone on notice with the semi final performance. Fast direct ball into the forwards and make space for them to work in.
Dunboyne are much improved this year, they have a number of lads back from travelling and injury the defense are mean and don't concede to many scores strong around the middle with Jones back to his best. With Lenihan pulling the strings up front they will be hard to stop. I don't know where this one will go could be a draw with extra time to find a winner. But the county champions will definitely come from this game."
Good analysis, I also fancy skryne, based on the 2 games I saw them play, against ratoath and st colmcills , tones Vs dunboyne was a dreadful affair , compounded by substandard refereeing, dunboyne improving from game to game, dunsaughlin battled out 2 wins against Ashbourne and summerhill and outplayed ratoath, slightly favourites going into this one, however it's going to tight, destination of keegan cup decided here

royler (Meath) - Posts: 278 - 27/09/2024 10:11:09    2572062

Link

Replying To royler:  "Good analysis, I also fancy skryne, based on the 2 games I saw them play, against ratoath and st colmcills , tones Vs dunboyne was a dreadful affair , compounded by substandard refereeing, dunboyne improving from game to game, dunsaughlin battled out 2 wins against Ashbourne and summerhill and outplayed ratoath, slightly favourites going into this one, however it's going to tight, destination of keegan cup decided here"
He's a Tones supporter playing down his team's chances. I remember someone found him out last year.

summerof09 (Meath) - Posts: 324 - 27/09/2024 12:45:31    2572086

Link

Replying To summerof09:  "He's a Tones supporter playing down his team's chances. I remember someone found him out last year."
Analyst is his alias. Tones double agent.

summerof09 (Meath) - Posts: 324 - 27/09/2024 13:00:50    2572088

Link

Replying To summerof09:  "He's a Tones supporter playing down his team's chances. I remember someone found him out last year."
Are you talking about me.

latouche25 (Meath) - Posts: 540 - 27/09/2024 13:04:02    2572089

Link

Well what we all know is that tones won't give two hoots who they play in the final if they get there . They will fancy their chances V anyone on the day.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1012 - 27/09/2024 13:07:06    2572090

Link

Replying To summerof09:  "Analyst is his alias. Tones double agent."
Ha ha brilliant , no fly's on you

royler (Meath) - Posts: 278 - 27/09/2024 13:16:29    2572094

Link

The disrespect for Tonnes is crazy. They have been in 4 semi finals in a row, no bad team does that no matter what type of football style they play. They will be laughing at people saying the other semi final is "the final", its the Meath championship, no team is good enough to be a shoe in, especially not against Tonnes in a final who will frustrate the hell out of you. After all, they are the last ones to win Keegan out of the teams that are left.

With regards to the other semi final, I think dunboyne are further down the line than Dunshauglin. Dunshauglin are a good team but if Ratoath were to watch back their quarter final they would have quite a lot of regrets. The game wasn't as lobsided as the scoreline suggested. They kicked a horrendous amount of wides in the first half which you would think Donal Lenihan & Co will score. Having Seamus Lavin back is obviously a huge boost, while Dunshauglin are missing their first choice goalkeeper in Adam Mcdermott.

Think it is going to be a replay of the 2021 final.

contributingtoamelee (Meath) - Posts: 55 - 27/09/2024 13:45:11    2572102

Link

Replying To latouche25:  "Are you talking about me."
Yes you Analyst.

summerof09 (Meath) - Posts: 324 - 27/09/2024 14:25:31    2572109

Link

Replying To contributingtoamelee:  "The disrespect for Tonnes is crazy. They have been in 4 semi finals in a row, no bad team does that no matter what type of football style they play. They will be laughing at people saying the other semi final is "the final", its the Meath championship, no team is good enough to be a shoe in, especially not against Tonnes in a final who will frustrate the hell out of you. After all, they are the last ones to win Keegan out of the teams that are left.

With regards to the other semi final, I think dunboyne are further down the line than Dunshauglin. Dunshauglin are a good team but if Ratoath were to watch back their quarter final they would have quite a lot of regrets. The game wasn't as lobsided as the scoreline suggested. They kicked a horrendous amount of wides in the first half which you would think Donal Lenihan & Co will score. Having Seamus Lavin back is obviously a huge boost, while Dunshauglin are missing their first choice goalkeeper in Adam Mcdermott.

Think it is going to be a replay of the 2021 final."
I'm not sure its disrespect, people aren't saying they are a poor team , just that they are a horrible team to watch. Now as a Tones player you won't care how you win as long AS you win, but their style of football is horrible to watch and it makes their games absolute drags. I think they may or may not get past Skryne, it will be touch and go but the winner of the Championship I would agree comes from the other semi-final, and I think that will be Dunshaughlin. I don't think they 'hammered' Ratoath and like another poster said, had correct officiating decisions been made and one or two shots scored rather than missed and it could have gone either way, but Dunshaughlin are an excellent team, playing excellent football and will have to much fire power for any of the remaining teams IMO

ratlag (Meath) - Posts: 582 - 27/09/2024 16:41:33    2572125

Link

Replying To contributingtoamelee:  "The disrespect for Tonnes is crazy. They have been in 4 semi finals in a row, no bad team does that no matter what type of football style they play. They will be laughing at people saying the other semi final is "the final", its the Meath championship, no team is good enough to be a shoe in, especially not against Tonnes in a final who will frustrate the hell out of you. After all, they are the last ones to win Keegan out of the teams that are left.

With regards to the other semi final, I think dunboyne are further down the line than Dunshauglin. Dunshauglin are a good team but if Ratoath were to watch back their quarter final they would have quite a lot of regrets. The game wasn't as lobsided as the scoreline suggested. They kicked a horrendous amount of wides in the first half which you would think Donal Lenihan & Co will score. Having Seamus Lavin back is obviously a huge boost, while Dunshauglin are missing their first choice goalkeeper in Adam Mcdermott.

Think it is going to be a replay of the 2021 final."
Tones are an average team and are getting a bit worse each year. They are therefor getting a bit more defensive each year to where they are now.
They made the semi finals the last 2 years as they have gotten by the far the easiest quarter final when finishing in their group.
The semi final draw has also been very kind to them and they could make a final.

Maestro (Meath) - Posts: 584 - 28/09/2024 15:32:41    2572204

Link

Replying To Maestro:  "Tones are an average team and are getting a bit worse each year. They are therefor getting a bit more defensive each year to where they are now.
They made the semi finals the last 2 years as they have gotten by the far the easiest quarter final when finishing in their group.
The semi final draw has also been very kind to them and they could make a final."
Averages teams don't consistently make semi finals and win a championship. Tones set up very defensive as they don't back their forwards to outscore the other teams or back their defenders in 1-1 scenarios. As a team Tones are probably the best in Meath but they don't have the individual quality Dunboyne or Dunshaughlin have.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 409 - 28/09/2024 16:38:21    2572212

Link

Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "Averages teams don't consistently make semi finals and win a championship. Tones set up very defensive as they don't back their forwards to outscore the other teams or back their defenders in 1-1 scenarios. As a team Tones are probably the best in Meath but they don't have the individual quality Dunboyne or Dunshaughlin have."
That was 3 years ago they won it and they have gone back each year since then. They only made the semi final as they have got very lucky draws when finishing second in their group.
What does that even mean that they are the "best team"?
The best team have the best players and will win it out.

Maestro (Meath) - Posts: 584 - 28/09/2024 20:21:14    2572248

Link

Replying To Maestro:  "That was 3 years ago they won it and they have gone back each year since then. They only made the semi final as they have got very lucky draws when finishing second in their group.
What does that even mean that they are the "best team"?
The best team have the best players and will win it out."
I think a bit of respect for all teams is in order, Skryne and Dunboyne have come from relegation battle last year to semi final this year, Dunshaughlin in their second year back Senior into a Semi final. Tones now 4 semi finals in succession. I will add that teams finishing third in groups should not be in relegation and groups should be seeded based on previous years semis. A lot of statements about teams getting "good draw" , you could argue that Ratoath have gotten great draw in past two years but did them no good. Don Ash were as good as any team i seen this year but were in relegation, championship is about grinding results, Dunshaughlin did so against Ash and Summerhill when under pressure, Skryne did it V Rathkenny and Dunboyne were under pressure V Kells, as were Tones but they got the result. I think all three championships Senior to Junior are wide open which is a good thing and unusual. I think out of the 12 teams left only Slane are outsiders really. For rural clubs like Skryne, Tones, Castletown, Meath hill , Vincents and Dunsany it is a great achievement to be competing with in some cases teams with 20 times the player pool and resources

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1494 - 28/09/2024 22:25:02    2572280

Link

Replying To Analyst:  "I think a bit of respect for all teams is in order, Skryne and Dunboyne have come from relegation battle last year to semi final this year, Dunshaughlin in their second year back Senior into a Semi final. Tones now 4 semi finals in succession. I will add that teams finishing third in groups should not be in relegation and groups should be seeded based on previous years semis. A lot of statements about teams getting "good draw" , you could argue that Ratoath have gotten great draw in past two years but did them no good. Don Ash were as good as any team i seen this year but were in relegation, championship is about grinding results, Dunshaughlin did so against Ash and Summerhill when under pressure, Skryne did it V Rathkenny and Dunboyne were under pressure V Kells, as were Tones but they got the result. I think all three championships Senior to Junior are wide open which is a good thing and unusual. I think out of the 12 teams left only Slane are outsiders really. For rural clubs like Skryne, Tones, Castletown, Meath hill , Vincents and Dunsany it is a great achievement to be competing with in some cases teams with 20 times the player pool and resources"
I think u can add ballivor to the rural club point

royal1967 (Meath) - Posts: 293 - 29/09/2024 14:09:03    2572346

Link

Replying To royal1967:  "I think u can add ballivor to the rural club point"
Agreed and not getting the recognition they deserve for their performances to date

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1494 - 29/09/2024 15:18:22    2572354

Link

Replying To royal1967:  "I think u can add ballivor to the rural club point"
The problem with a lot of posters on here is that they consider Ballivor to be an amalgamation of Kildalkey and Killyon and not a separate and independent club. There are Ballivor footballers who are not associated with either Killyon or Kildalkey.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1080 - 30/09/2024 11:51:45    2572502

Link