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Longford v Meath, April 7th, Pearse Park, Longford

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Replying To southmeathgael: "Yea we were flying 2 years ago alright." Four years ago Meath were very competitive in the super 8's, running Donegal close in Donegal, should have beaten Mayo in Croke Park, and played very well against Kerry in Navan. Meath were also in Division 1, and within a kick of a ball of beating Mayo at home, Galway at home and believe it or not Kerry away. They certainly weren't blown out of the water against the top teams then like they are now. BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 935 - 30/03/2024 09:55:30 2534573 Link
Replying To BigJoe14: "Four years ago Meath were very competitive in the super 8's, running Donegal close in Donegal, should have beaten Mayo in Croke Park, and played very well against Kerry in Navan. Meath were also in Division 1, and within a kick of a ball of beating Mayo at home, Galway at home and believe it or not Kerry away. They certainly weren't blown out of the water against the top teams then like they are now." They lost all those games. No such thing as a moral victory. We are not great now and not much better then. winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 30/03/2024 12:16:38 2534589 Link
Replying To southmeathgael: "Yea we were flying 2 years ago alright." Realistically we have been poor since 2010 with an odd decent victory here or there. Since the Dubs have got their act together, we have been way off the mark. Think O'Rourke said when he took the Meath job, he would have failed if he hadn't beaten the Dubs in his 3 year reign. Let's see! winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 30/03/2024 12:19:58 2534590 Link
Replying To dickie10: "is there anythingt be said for throwing the game to longford and let them go and get slaughtered? i dont think it did us any harm in 2018 we played great stuff v tyrone in qualifier? which is more damging losing to longford when nobody is really watching or getting a hiding from dublin with more attention on us? did the beating by offaly do that much harm last year? personally i think we should avoid playing dublin anywhere we can" Yes losing to Longford served us so well in 2018 when we also lost to Tyrone. Spoofer (Meath) - Posts: 48 - 30/03/2024 13:45:28 2534602 Link
Replying To winatallcost: "They lost all those games. No such thing as a moral victory. We are not great now and not much better then." There's no such thing as a moral victory but there's definitely such a thing as a good performance LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1465 - 30/03/2024 14:18:38 2534608 Link
Replying To BigJoe14: "Four years ago Meath were very competitive in the super 8's, running Donegal close in Donegal, should have beaten Mayo in Croke Park, and played very well against Kerry in Navan. Meath were also in Division 1, and within a kick of a ball of beating Mayo at home, Galway at home and believe it or not Kerry away. They certainly weren't blown out of the water against the top teams then like they are now." Ya Andy well to get to super 8's in 2019 and Division 1 in 2020. This were the highlights of his 6 years as manager, the other years weren't as great. Also I'm not dismissing getting to division 1 and super 8s but you are probably exaggerating how competitive we were both times. In 2019 we benefitted from a good draw to get to super 8's (after a big loss in Leinster final v. Dublin we drew Clare in last qualifier round and won by 1 point to get us to super 8's). In the Super 8's we had two 9 point losses and an 8 point loss. In 2020 Division 1 campaign we won no games, lost 6 games and drew last game with Monaghan. Mayo and ourselves were relegated, Mayo got 5 points in table, we got 1 point. Fair enough apart from Donegal game the other games were relatively close. None of this is to dismiss how Andy did as manager, for me he did fairly well with players at his disposal in those 6 years. COR hasn't set the world alite so far in his time as Meath manager but remember when comparing COR and Andy time as manager you compared the best of what Andy did in his 6 years to what COR has done so far in a season and a half. bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1361 - 01/04/2024 13:01:55 2534974 Link
Replying To bdbuddah: "Ya Andy well to get to super 8's in 2019 and Division 1 in 2020. This were the highlights of his 6 years as manager, the other years weren't as great. Also I'm not dismissing getting to division 1 and super 8s but you are probably exaggerating how competitive we were both times. In 2019 we benefitted from a good draw to get to super 8's (after a big loss in Leinster final v. Dublin we drew Clare in last qualifier round and won by 1 point to get us to super 8's). In the Super 8's we had two 9 point losses and an 8 point loss. In 2020 Division 1 campaign we won no games, lost 6 games and drew last game with Monaghan. Mayo and ourselves were relegated, Mayo got 5 points in table, we got 1 point. Fair enough apart from Donegal game the other games were relatively close. None of this is to dismiss how Andy did as manager, for me he did fairly well with players at his disposal in those 6 years. COR hasn't set the world alite so far in his time as Meath manager but remember when comparing COR and Andy time as manager you compared the best of what Andy did in his 6 years to what COR has done so far in a season and a half." Totally get that point. But also the worst years of Andy McEntee was probably 2018 and 2022 (and in fairness to him the county board tried to aust him in November which did him no favours). In 2018 our league performance was 7 points and a +14 points difference, 2022 it was 6 points and a -18 score difference. Both of these were better than COR's first year and 2022 was very similar to this year. In 2018 championship we lost to Longford and then lost to all Ireland finalists Tyrone by 1 after extra time. Personally I don't really care much about the Longford game this year because Dublin will hammer us anywqy, so O'Rourke's tenure really hinges on what happens in the all Ireland series. If we can be really competitive with teams in that top 10 bracket like Cork, Westmeath and Kildare were last year then that's a sign of progress if the performances are similar to what we've seen in the 4 games against the promoted teams in the league over the last 2 years then this year would have to be deemed a failure LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1465 - 01/04/2024 15:36:50 2535006 Link
Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "Totally get that point. But also the worst years of Andy McEntee was probably 2018 and 2022 (and in fairness to him the county board tried to aust him in November which did him no favours). In 2018 our league performance was 7 points and a +14 points difference, 2022 it was 6 points and a -18 score difference. Both of these were better than COR's first year and 2022 was very similar to this year. In 2018 championship we lost to Longford and then lost to all Ireland finalists Tyrone by 1 after extra time. Personally I don't really care much about the Longford game this year because Dublin will hammer us anywqy, so O'Rourke's tenure really hinges on what happens in the all Ireland series. If we can be really competitive with teams in that top 10 bracket like Cork, Westmeath and Kildare were last year then that's a sign of progress if the performances are similar to what we've seen in the 4 games against the promoted teams in the league over the last 2 years then this year would have to be deemed a failure" Agreed. Even a comfortable win won't tell us much. We won't know if we're on the right path from this match. Though a poor performance could suggest we're on the wrong path. After that 2018 Longford loss, Andy only ever lost to Dublin in Leinster. Hopefully last year's Offaly result will be the only non-Dublin defeat in Leinster for COR. MeathAbroad (Meath) - Posts: 38 - 01/04/2024 19:09:33 2535051 Link
I havent been able to follow the meath team as much as I would normally do, I havent got to a game in a few years due to work and emigrating. Can someone let me know what is the story with jordan Morris,jack flynn and Conor Gray, have the wallaces walked away again, Cillain Osullivan is now just a squad player by the looks of it? Also does anyone know if Conor Mcgill was asked in this year. It would be a strong enough team by our own standards if all those lads were available and were mixed in with the current squad. It would be great to see jones,mcbride,gray,jack oconnor and jack flynn playing together from midfield onwards. royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 15 - 02/04/2024 09:09:35 2535113 Link
We should win this game , Longford have been operating in division 4 and finished mid table , hopefully we will see all round performance and a 10+ point win , but that said last thing we want is a under performing team and making life tough on ourselves and giving Longford confidence. We need to put down a bit of a marker this Sunday and get a good win and hopefully we will get just that. WhyTheLongFace (Meath) - Posts: 876 - 02/04/2024 14:17:19 2535188 Link
Replying To WhyTheLongFace: "We should win this game , Longford have been operating in division 4 and finished mid table , hopefully we will see all round performance and a 10+ point win , but that said last thing we want is a under performing team and making life tough on ourselves and giving Longford confidence. We need to put down a bit of a marker this Sunday and get a good win and hopefully we will get just that." Can't see a 10 point win unfortunately, just don't score enough, defence has been decent so maybe something like 16 -10 hopefully. southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 891 - 02/04/2024 16:06:37 2535215 Link
Replying To southmeathgael: "Can't see a 10 point win unfortunately, just don't score enough, defence has been decent so maybe something like 16 -10 hopefully." Agree. Meath's scoring rate was I think the worst in Division 2 out of all the teams. If Meath feel the need to get everyone behind the ball against Longford, that says a lot. They should be going out with the intention of playing front foot fast football and really running up a score against Longford, as they have the players to do so. However, with the way they are setting up, it will be slow build up play and everyone trundling slowly up the field. BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 935 - 02/04/2024 16:13:03 2535218 Link
Agree, our attacking play is too ponderous. If you look at how direct Derry were playing against Dublin. However perhaps we're still working on not giving the ball away cheaply first and being able to add attacking flair to that will take time. I think we should win but it will be less than a 10 point win I would expect. Longford's league form is never a good indicator. LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 452 - 03/04/2024 10:42:25 2535342 Link
Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "Totally get that point. But also the worst years of Andy McEntee was probably 2018 and 2022 (and in fairness to him the county board tried to aust him in November which did him no favours). In 2018 our league performance was 7 points and a +14 points difference, 2022 it was 6 points and a -18 score difference. Both of these were better than COR's first year and 2022 was very similar to this year. In 2018 championship we lost to Longford and then lost to all Ireland finalists Tyrone by 1 after extra time. Personally I don't really care much about the Longford game this year because Dublin will hammer us anywqy, so O'Rourke's tenure really hinges on what happens in the all Ireland series. If we can be really competitive with teams in that top 10 bracket like Cork, Westmeath and Kildare were last year then that's a sign of progress if the performances are similar to what we've seen in the 4 games against the promoted teams in the league over the last 2 years then this year would have to be deemed a failure" I'd agree with most of this. bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1361 - 03/04/2024 12:30:50 2535355 Link
Meath won't need to worry about where the Dublin game is played. BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 935 - 05/04/2024 09:58:14 2535771 Link
Replying To LoyalRoyal: "Agree, our attacking play is too ponderous. If you look at how direct Derry were playing against Dublin. However perhaps we're still working on not giving the ball away cheaply first and being able to add attacking flair to that will take time. I think we should win but it will be less than a 10 point win I would expect. Longford's league form is never a good indicator." Looking at div 1 and div 2 last week above all, these teams seem to have a far superior fitness level than Meath. They are stronger, faster and attack at pace. We look miles away and you can see the Mcguinness effect on Donegal. He's only been there a few months so don't understand how they can be so far ahead of Meath from a fitness point of view. winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 05/04/2024 11:08:08 2535784 Link
Replying To winatallcost: "Looking at div 1 and div 2 last week above all, these teams seem to have a far superior fitness level than Meath. They are stronger, faster and attack at pace. We look miles away and you can see the Mcguinness effect on Donegal. He's only been there a few months so don't understand how they can be so far ahead of Meath from a fitness point of view." Yes, fitness is a factor, but it is more the style of play Meath play that is the issue. It is slow, sideways and possession based, as they are so weak at the back and management clearly don't trust their defenders one on one with little protection. Unlike the top teams like Derry and Dublin, Meath have no pace or aggression coming from their half back line. One would wonder, what goes on at all at training. BigJoe14 (Meath) - Posts: 935 - 05/04/2024 12:07:39 2535798 Link
TEAM FOR LONGFORD GAME NAMED - (WILL IT BE THE ONE THAT STARTS!) A few changes - great to see Jordan Morris back in - on his day he can be a game changer/winner! Interesting to see how he and Conlon go in the full forward line! I don't think the change of Daithi McGowan to mid field will phase him - in fact I think it will add to the team! Good to see Ross Ryan in - although I don't think Campo did anything wrong at 6! I'd have liked to have seen him move into wing forward Overall - it looks like a decent team, with good cover and scoring potential on the bench! I hope they can play to their potential. I think if they do they will win well - Royals Abu! Meath: Sean Brennan (Dún Doire), Donal Keogan (Rath Coinnig), Adam O'Neill (Bhulf Tón), Harry O'Higgins (Emmet Druim Bhearradh), Ciaran Caulfield (Átha Troim), Ross Ryan (Druim Samhraidh), Sean Coffey (Baile na Breacaighe), Ronan Jones (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne) (Capt.), Daithí McGowan (Rath Tó), Shane Walsh (Na Fianna), Eoghan Frayne (Druim Samhraidh), Cathal Hickey (Baile Sencaill), Jordan Morris (Réaltaí Dún a Rí), Mathew Costello (Domhnach Seachnaill), James Conlon (Naomh Colmcille) Subs: Billy Hogan (Maigh Dearmhaí), Cian McBride (Naomh Ultain), Darragh Campion (Scrín), Jack O'Connor (Currach Átha), Ronan Ryan (Druim Samhraidh), Michael Murphy (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne), Keith Curtis (Rath Coinnig), Aaron Lynch (Átha Troim), Ruairí Kinsella (Domhnach Seachnaill), Jason Scully (Sean Chaisleán), Sean Rafferty (Na Fianna) Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 481 - 05/04/2024 14:07:00 2535832 Link
Replying To Royalblufill: "TEAM FOR LONGFORD GAME NAMED - (WILL IT BE THE ONE THAT STARTS!) A few changes - great to see Jordan Morris back in - on his day he can be a game changer/winner! Interesting to see how he and Conlon go in the full forward line! I don't think the change of Daithi McGowan to mid field will phase him - in fact I think it will add to the team! Good to see Ross Ryan in - although I don't think Campo did anything wrong at 6! I'd have liked to have seen him move into wing forward Overall - it looks like a decent team, with good cover and scoring potential on the bench! I hope they can play to their potential. I think if they do they will win well - Royals Abu! Meath: Sean Brennan (Dún Doire), Donal Keogan (Rath Coinnig), Adam O'Neill (Bhulf Tón), Harry O'Higgins (Emmet Druim Bhearradh), Ciaran Caulfield (Átha Troim), Ross Ryan (Druim Samhraidh), Sean Coffey (Baile na Breacaighe), Ronan Jones (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne) (Capt.), Daithí McGowan (Rath Tó), Shane Walsh (Na Fianna), Eoghan Frayne (Druim Samhraidh), Cathal Hickey (Baile Sencaill), Jordan Morris (Réaltaí Dún a Rí), Mathew Costello (Domhnach Seachnaill), James Conlon (Naomh Colmcille) Subs: Billy Hogan (Maigh Dearmhaí), Cian McBride (Naomh Ultain), Darragh Campion (Scrín), Jack O'Connor (Currach Átha), Ronan Ryan (Druim Samhraidh), Michael Murphy (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne), Keith Curtis (Rath Coinnig), Aaron Lynch (Átha Troim), Ruairí Kinsella (Domhnach Seachnaill), Jason Scully (Sean Chaisleán), Sean Rafferty (Na Fianna)" I can see one if not two changes to the starting team. 199710 (Meath) - Posts: 120 - 05/04/2024 14:55:36 2535848 Link
This wont be easy. Meath lost in Pearse Park in this very fixture in 2018 by a few points. Down through the years Longford have had great results there. This is their game of the year I would imagine. My concern for Meath from the league is the lack of scoring power; We only managed a few goals in the whole league and points tallies around 10/12 - which is low at any level. I think the selected team and bench for the game is as strong as we have, and considering Longford have dipped a bit in the last few years as well, Meath should get over the line here. But like I said at the start, wont be easy. The reward for the winner is a game against an angry, reactionary Dublin, what better incentive! Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 589 - 05/04/2024 18:52:58 2535910 Link