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Before I begin, I want to state that this post isn't some Kildare man kicking Meath football when it's down on its luck. The demise of Meath football is something that has both puzzled and intrigued me for the guts of 15 years now.
Ive lived in the north of Kildare all of my life, a few kilometres from the border with Meath and growing up in the 90s I can still remember looking over the border in envy as our neighbours had so much success and produced so many fine footballers. I remember being in a car as a youngster and driving through the likes of Enfield , Summerhill and Trim before All Ireland finals in 1996 and 1999 and seeing the green and yellow flags and bunting hanging from every house , pub and telephone pole. For the most part we in Kildare could only look on and wish we had an ounce of Meaths success. There was just something different about Meath back then, the team and supporters alike had an intense sense of self confidence about Meath as a county . People in Meath looked up to their county footballers like kids these days look up to the Premier Leagues superstars of today. As much as we loved to beat Meath I always felt that we secretly admired them. The two counties were poles apart in terms of footballing pedigree. We haven't won an all Ireland since 1928 while Meath regularly challenged and won Sam. The 2010s was the first decade in which Meath did not reach an all Ireland final since the 1920s.
In my opinion the slide began sometime in the early naughties. While there were some good wins in the subsequent years, the level that Meath were operating began to slide . The top class footballers just weren't being produced and Meath minor, u21 and senior teams have been average at best since then except for the occasional bit of success here and there. The current team is arguably further away from winning an All Ireland than any team in the history of Meath football.
The question is why has this demise happened? It puzzles me as I still see a football mad county with a big population and magnificent facilities at the club level. Much smaller counties are producing far more physical and skilled footballers for some reason. Unlike other counties including my own, Gaelic football is still the undisputed number one sport in Meath. Soccer and rugby are far more popular in many other counties than in Meath. One change that I do see in Meath is the drop off in interest in the county football team. I think the many hammerings inflicted by Dublin over the past number of years has done significant and perhaps irreparable damage to the psyche of Meath football.
It has now been 22 years since Meath last reached an all Ireland final and it's hard to see them reaching another one soon.
11jm11 (Kildare) - Posts: 365 - 28/03/2023 10:03:34
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Football changed in terms of preparation becoming a lot more sports science related in the early 00s, as well as that the game evolved massively tactically around the same time, driven by the Armagh and Tyrone teams around that time.
I think some counties were quicker at adapting than others. Kerry to their credit, adapted very quickly whereas a lot of the other "traditional counties" took a lot longer to adapt to the new circumstances. Counties like Meath who had been successful just before this period of change I think took a lot longer to adapt imo. It took my own county nearly a decade to get things together. Some counties like Galway are only becoming competitive again now in the last few years.
I think there is no reason to believe that Meath won't get it together eventually. They have a big population and plenty of financial resources when compared to the majority of other counties. It's only a matter of time in my opinion so enjoy it while it lasts is my take on it.
MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 28/03/2023 12:02:59
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Replying To MesAmis: "Football changed in terms of preparation becoming a lot more sports science related in the early 00s, as well as that the game evolved massively tactically around the same time, driven by the Armagh and Tyrone teams around that time.
I think some counties were quicker at adapting than others. Kerry to their credit, adapted very quickly whereas a lot of the other "traditional counties" took a lot longer to adapt to the new circumstances. Counties like Meath who had been successful just before this period of change I think took a lot longer to adapt imo. It took my own county nearly a decade to get things together. Some counties like Galway are only becoming competitive again now in the last few years.
I think there is no reason to believe that Meath won't get it together eventually. They have a big population and plenty of financial resources when compared to the majority of other counties. It's only a matter of time in my opinion so enjoy it while it lasts is my take on it." That's partly true no doubt and there are some parallels between Galway and Meath's struggles after the early 2000s up to the mid 2010s.
However, even during this time Galway was producing strong underage and club teams, competing in and winning numerous All-Irelands at club, minor and U21 level.
Meath weren't producing anything during this time at these levels however. It's as if something stifled the development of footballers in the county over a long period.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2039 - 28/03/2023 12:57:20
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Replying To MesAmis: "Football changed in terms of preparation becoming a lot more sports science related in the early 00s, as well as that the game evolved massively tactically around the same time, driven by the Armagh and Tyrone teams around that time.
I think some counties were quicker at adapting than others. Kerry to their credit, adapted very quickly whereas a lot of the other "traditional counties" took a lot longer to adapt to the new circumstances. Counties like Meath who had been successful just before this period of change I think took a lot longer to adapt imo. It took my own county nearly a decade to get things together. Some counties like Galway are only becoming competitive again now in the last few years.
I think there is no reason to believe that Meath won't get it together eventually. They have a big population and plenty of financial resources when compared to the majority of other counties. It's only a matter of time in my opinion so enjoy it while it lasts is my take on it." Yep.
When life gives you a cookie, eat it.
jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 28/03/2023 13:09:16
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Meaths problems began by no infrastructure into underage. We have won both a minor Leinster and all Ireland recently, a lot of that team make up the u20s this year that are fav by many to win Leinster and could go on to win all Ireland.
The problem with the current seniors is a needed change of management last year hasn't really brought a difference. Colm unfortunately seems more concerned with what people say on Sunday game than he does about how his team is playing. Now we have diehards who think Colm walks along the boyne every day (actually on the water) and he can do no wrong. Im more realistic. The brand of football we are currently playing is embarrassing, the players must take their share of responsibility but the book stops with management, who in their right mind sends out a team to go man to man with dubs AGAINST the wind. ? You play to ur strengths and that concept so far seems to have passed Colm by while he wonders what Cora Staunton will say is more important.
Im heading to ashbourne to watch a well coached team play. As for the seniors? Well we more than likely will play in TC and lose to whoever we draw. We also have a former all star nominee fb and the best in county sitting at home twiddling his thumbs cause he wanted extra time off after Leinster campaign with his club. Like all other counties afforded their players
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/03/2023 14:11:15
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Replying To WanPintWin: "That's partly true no doubt and there are some parallels between Galway and Meath's struggles after the early 2000s up to the mid 2010s.
However, even during this time Galway was producing strong underage and club teams, competing in and winning numerous All-Irelands at club, minor and U21 level.
Meath weren't producing anything during this time at these levels however. It's as if something stifled the development of footballers in the county over a long period." We have no one to blame but ourselves for the long spiral downwards. However, its difficult to understand why/how we stopped producing decent players. It looks like the penny may have dropped at long last. When it came to replacing last manager there was little or no interest in position, partly due to the standard of Meath football and partly due to internal issues, in fairness what top coach would want to stake their rep. on the mess we created? COR did not apply for position, after been knocked back in the past. CB were left with little option but approach Colm and offer him the position. Firstly he called it as it is, it will take years to rebuild Meath football, he realises he will not be the manager to get is back to top eight, his remit is put foundations in place to give us a fighting chance of progress. Hopefully things improve in the medium term but hard to see it. We are taking a step in right direction and majority of Meath supporters are honest enough to admit the job of work management have, they are starting from a very low base and time and patience will be required. Of course we have the knockers who want him to fail, difficult to understand this, but we have these types in all walks of life. Between senior, senior development squad and u20s Meath have over 90 lads in training, together with a good underage structure the building blocks are in place. It is great to see so many young lads who have bought into the long term project. Getting to Leinster final and a/i series is still in our own hands, if we get there some harsh lessons await, however, thats why the players turn up and management do the job. If it is TC then so be it, no option but give it a shot.
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2142 - 28/03/2023 16:23:11
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Replying To royaldunne: "Meaths problems began by no infrastructure into underage. We have won both a minor Leinster and all Ireland recently, a lot of that team make up the u20s this year that are fav by many to win Leinster and could go on to win all Ireland.
The problem with the current seniors is a needed change of management last year hasn't really brought a difference. Colm unfortunately seems more concerned with what people say on Sunday game than he does about how his team is playing. Now we have diehards who think Colm walks along the boyne every day (actually on the water) and he can do no wrong. Im more realistic. The brand of football we are currently playing is embarrassing, the players must take their share of responsibility but the book stops with management, who in their right mind sends out a team to go man to man with dubs AGAINST the wind. ? You play to ur strengths and that concept so far seems to have passed Colm by while he wonders what Cora Staunton will say is more important.
Im heading to ashbourne to watch a well coached team play. As for the seniors? Well we more than likely will play in TC and lose to whoever we draw. We also have a former all star nominee fb and the best in county sitting at home twiddling his thumbs cause he wanted extra time off after Leinster campaign with his club. Like all other counties afforded their players" RoyalDunne were there better underage structures and route to the senior team during the Boylan era than there are now? Are Meath minor squad on S&C programs that could have some them ready for road if called up to seniors in two or three years and minors, U20s, seniors looking to play a similar style of football? Where has the famous Meath never take a backwards step belligerence gone. I'm living in Meath 7 years now, we've 2 girls, 7 and 13, playing LGFA and proudly wearing Meath LGFA jersies! It's great to see the ladies doing well, but hopefully soon the men of Meath Senior team will revive their fortunes and give supporters something to shout about.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7344 - 28/03/2023 17:03:54
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Replying To GreenandRed: "RoyalDunne were there better underage structures and route to the senior team during the Boylan era than there are now? Are Meath minor squad on S&C programs that could have some them ready for road if called up to seniors in two or three years and minors, U20s, seniors looking to play a similar style of football? Where has the famous Meath never take a backwards step belligerence gone. I'm living in Meath 7 years now, we've 2 girls, 7 and 13, playing LGFA and proudly wearing Meath LGFA jersies! It's great to see the ladies doing well, but hopefully soon the men of Meath Senior team will revive their fortunes and give supporters something to shout about." Ahh the ladies have been brilliant. Under boylan there was a better conveyor belt of talent coming through. But then people like john McDermott never played under age for Meath. But too much emphasis was put on the building and upkeep of dunganny. And there was a sort of we are Meath attitude that we will always have quality players coming though. For a time there we only had one full time person to go round schools etc In Seamus Kenny after he retired. That's not good enough. We are still dealing with ideology's that we know better than you lot. Banty said when he tried to change Meath to a possession game the fans would be shouting to let it in. At a league game this year orurke shouted the same thing to a player he did as told into a forward surrounded by 3 players. It was ridiculous. Colm as I said has a problem he has ridiculed teams for playing certain ways and he now finds himself in a position where he is trying to change the way most of those players played in last year or so and majority play like that with their clubs. One thing he is not short on is excuses he throws them out every interview, but he hasn't answered why the Meath player of the year 22 was dropped. And why another one is allegedly gone to. It's frustrating. I think the cb need to dig into the new sponsor fund and appoint someone along with him, Colm can take the credit so he can save face and those who think he is the second coming can come on to forums like this and say we knew he was god. I won't care as it will be for benefit of Meath. Which is all that matters to me. Tbh I think if we don't do something to stem the current tide we will go into absolute free fall (it has already happened v Kildare) but it could get worse. I like a bet and only that it is Meath I'd be lumping on one of louth Westmeath to reach Leinster final. And I am extremely worried about Offaly too. But I have hope in the cb and players coming together and saying look Colm this isn't working we need someone else to join you. You can still take the credit. I live in hope
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/03/2023 21:23:53
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It has been some decline from the halcyon days of 25 yrs ago. Meath now are firmly a sleeping giant. I recall in the Royal golden era of the late eighties we were the sleeping giant of football (after our heroics of the mid sixties) but things are cyclical. As noted by my fellow Galwegian poster our trajectory after the early noughties moved south in the same direction as Meath. The key difference was we had some decent underage and club success (some might say that papered over the cracks) but with underage against the odds we got positive currency from. The other thing i don't understand is that football is king in Meath. Hurling (apart from the core) always is second fiddle so it is not as if like us one code sometimes competes with the other for the hearts and minds of a cohort of supporters. It appears structures are improving with some underage green shoots although senior reward looks a while away yet.
kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1946 - 29/03/2023 13:01:08
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Replying To kiloughter: "It has been some decline from the halcyon days of 25 yrs ago. Meath now are firmly a sleeping giant. I recall in the Royal golden era of the late eighties we were the sleeping giant of football (after our heroics of the mid sixties) but things are cyclical. As noted by my fellow Galwegian poster our trajectory after the early noughties moved south in the same direction as Meath. The key difference was we had some decent underage and club success (some might say that papered over the cracks) but with underage against the odds we got positive currency from. The other thing i don't understand is that football is king in Meath. Hurling (apart from the core) always is second fiddle so it is not as if like us one code sometimes competes with the other for the hearts and minds of a cohort of supporters. It appears structures are improving with some underage green shoots although senior reward looks a while away yet." Galway seem to produce a constant stream of talent and sticking with PJ now seems to be paying off big time. The young lads introduced never seem out of place, they slip in no bother, arrive with a decent level of s/c and fitness and management have the basics to work with. With Meath there seems to be a disconnect between seniors and talent coming through. At long last issues are been addressed and we are moving on from the hope for the best we are Meath attitude. As you rightly say senior success is well down the road but at least we are moving in right direction.
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2142 - 29/03/2023 14:23:09
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Its the Paddy Keenan curse on the Royal County that Meath wont win another Leinster title till Louth win one. All jokes aside speaking to a few Royal supporters that they are not happy with Colm O Rouke and some have stopped going to Meath matches because of him. Meath are a proud GAA county. They are the second biggest county in Leinster and the third biggest in terms of population. Hopefully Meath and Kildare can challenge the Dubs again like the good days of the 90s and 00s.
Ollie2 (Louth) - Posts: 784 - 30/03/2023 20:37:06
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Replying To Ollie2: "Its the Paddy Keenan curse on the Royal County that Meath wont win another Leinster title till Louth win one. All jokes aside speaking to a few Royal supporters that they are not happy with Colm O Rouke and some have stopped going to Meath matches because of him. Meath are a proud GAA county. They are the second biggest county in Leinster and the third biggest in terms of population. Hopefully Meath and Kildare can challenge the Dubs again like the good days of the 90s and 00s." I like that one Ollie; "The Paddy Keenan Curse" - that Meath will not win another Leinster Title until Louth have won one.
PedOGog (Louth) - Posts: 54 - 31/03/2023 11:01:07
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Replying To royaldunne: "Meaths problems began by no infrastructure into underage. We have won both a minor Leinster and all Ireland recently, a lot of that team make up the u20s this year that are fav by many to win Leinster and could go on to win all Ireland.
The problem with the current seniors is a needed change of management last year hasn't really brought a difference. Colm unfortunately seems more concerned with what people say on Sunday game than he does about how his team is playing. Now we have diehards who think Colm walks along the boyne every day (actually on the water) and he can do no wrong. Im more realistic. The brand of football we are currently playing is embarrassing, the players must take their share of responsibility but the book stops with management, who in their right mind sends out a team to go man to man with dubs AGAINST the wind. ? You play to ur strengths and that concept so far seems to have passed Colm by while he wonders what Cora Staunton will say is more important.
Im heading to ashbourne to watch a well coached team play. As for the seniors? Well we more than likely will play in TC and lose to whoever we draw. We also have a former all star nominee fb and the best in county sitting at home twiddling his thumbs cause he wanted extra time off after Leinster campaign with his club. Like all other counties afforded their players" McGill??
Watty Graham's players were back after a week or two and starting. If someone requested that in Tyrone they would be roaded
The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 31/03/2023 12:34:04
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To answer the original poster; Meath has declined in GAA (particularly senior men's football) for a lot of reasons, and most of the footballing reasons have been outlined already. However the primary reasons for the decline are non-football. Ill do my best to touch on them.
(1) Demographics: Meath now has 220,000 people. In my youth in the 1990s it had tens of thousands less. Traditionally it was one of the least dense counties by population. Of the new arrivals, many are foreign settlers, or people who originated from other counties in Ireland particularly Dublin, so there isnt the same attachment to the county as previous generations. The stories are true; you will see Dublin jerseys and Navy/Blue flags out in every town in Meath come July/August every season. I know kids and young adults who have lived in Meath all their lives but support Dublin and are embarrassed by their county of residence. The county also produces great soccer players and rugby players these days and many of the best prospects choose other sports including AFL.
(2) Changing face of the county: Pre-2000 there wasnt a motorway in Ireland, now there are loads and 4 of them dissect Meath. The towns of the county have become stop-over towns housing commuters. The heart and soul, in my opinion, has therefore declined in urban Meath and the strength of the GAA as a community based organisation has declined. Another argument, albeit hard to prove but widely believed is that the Celtic Tiger and the modern day has simply produced a more middle class cosmopolitan youth population in Meath who just arent the same "breed" as the past and havent the same interest or attachment to the game.
(3) Bad P.R.: Some Meath posters might not like it, but its a fact. Our PR is crap. Its a county that had strong presence and success for decades and that has dried up post-millenium and the slew of managers coming and going and the news that comes out of the county (with the exception of the AI winning minors and the womens team) is usually negative news which paints a picture for kids in the county that Meath GAA isnt a successful or "cool" brand to follow.
(4) Loss of Identity: Meath was the county that was left behind in the early days of blanket defences and mass defensive styles. They simply didnt change their approach to the game and mentally were very, very slow to react to the changing game. As of 2023, Meath football teams have no tangible identity on the field which differentiates them from anyone. In the past they were aggresive, physical, often played on the edge or over the edge and played with manic intensity in the 15 on 15 game. Those days are over. Meath's "role" in the game was taken largely by Tyrone or by other Ulster teams as a collective.
Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 587 - 31/03/2023 15:49:22
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Replying To Young_gael: "To answer the original poster; Meath has declined in GAA (particularly senior men's football) for a lot of reasons, and most of the footballing reasons have been outlined already. However the primary reasons for the decline are non-football. Ill do my best to touch on them.
(1) Demographics: Meath now has 220,000 people. In my youth in the 1990s it had tens of thousands less. Traditionally it was one of the least dense counties by population. Of the new arrivals, many are foreign settlers, or people who originated from other counties in Ireland particularly Dublin, so there isnt the same attachment to the county as previous generations. The stories are true; you will see Dublin jerseys and Navy/Blue flags out in every town in Meath come July/August every season. I know kids and young adults who have lived in Meath all their lives but support Dublin and are embarrassed by their county of residence. The county also produces great soccer players and rugby players these days and many of the best prospects choose other sports including AFL.
(2) Changing face of the county: Pre-2000 there wasnt a motorway in Ireland, now there are loads and 4 of them dissect Meath. The towns of the county have become stop-over towns housing commuters. The heart and soul, in my opinion, has therefore declined in urban Meath and the strength of the GAA as a community based organisation has declined. Another argument, albeit hard to prove but widely believed is that the Celtic Tiger and the modern day has simply produced a more middle class cosmopolitan youth population in Meath who just arent the same "breed" as the past and havent the same interest or attachment to the game.
(3) Bad P.R.: Some Meath posters might not like it, but its a fact. Our PR is crap. Its a county that had strong presence and success for decades and that has dried up post-millenium and the slew of managers coming and going and the news that comes out of the county (with the exception of the AI winning minors and the womens team) is usually negative news which paints a picture for kids in the county that Meath GAA isnt a successful or "cool" brand to follow.
(4) Loss of Identity: Meath was the county that was left behind in the early days of blanket defences and mass defensive styles. They simply didnt change their approach to the game and mentally were very, very slow to react to the changing game. As of 2023, Meath football teams have no tangible identity on the field which differentiates them from anyone. In the past they were aggresive, physical, often played on the edge or over the edge and played with manic intensity in the 15 on 15 game. Those days are over. Meath's "role" in the game was taken largely by Tyrone or by other Ulster teams as a collective." I remember playing Meath in the early 2000s and they had only Graham Geraghty and Ollie Murphy on the edge of the square and the rest were way out the field. Not a blanket but it was a withdrawn style definitely not 15 on 15 in a traditional style.
Jack_Sparrow (Westmeath) - Posts: 1016 - 31/03/2023 16:29:17
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Replying To Ollie2: "Its the Paddy Keenan curse on the Royal County that Meath wont win another Leinster title till Louth win one. All jokes aside speaking to a few Royal supporters that they are not happy with Colm O Rouke and some have stopped going to Meath matches because of him. Meath are a proud GAA county. They are the second biggest county in Leinster and the third biggest in terms of population. Hopefully Meath and Kildare can challenge the Dubs again like the good days of the 90s and 00s." Indeed,For some Colm's approach and style has turned many off, Andy was polarising but at least you knew he was trying the best for Meath. Where's Colm's interviews etc seem to be more about what Cora Staunton and the SG panel has to say about Meath. Also this thing of trying new players , well who is that down to ? He could have tried less and made the transition easier. I'm very disheartened by Colm. I did fear whe he got the job that his time had passed, but tbh I never thought things would get this bad. We have zero game plan and appear like we 15 individuals with 30 different feet that don't know what the other is doing.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 31/03/2023 19:40:32
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Replying To Young_gael: "To answer the original poster; Meath has declined in GAA (particularly senior men's football) for a lot of reasons, and most of the footballing reasons have been outlined already. However the primary reasons for the decline are non-football. Ill do my best to touch on them.
(1) Demographics: Meath now has 220,000 people. In my youth in the 1990s it had tens of thousands less. Traditionally it was one of the least dense counties by population. Of the new arrivals, many are foreign settlers, or people who originated from other counties in Ireland particularly Dublin, so there isnt the same attachment to the county as previous generations. The stories are true; you will see Dublin jerseys and Navy/Blue flags out in every town in Meath come July/August every season. I know kids and young adults who have lived in Meath all their lives but support Dublin and are embarrassed by their county of residence. The county also produces great soccer players and rugby players these days and many of the best prospects choose other sports including AFL.
(2) Changing face of the county: Pre-2000 there wasnt a motorway in Ireland, now there are loads and 4 of them dissect Meath. The towns of the county have become stop-over towns housing commuters. The heart and soul, in my opinion, has therefore declined in urban Meath and the strength of the GAA as a community based organisation has declined. Another argument, albeit hard to prove but widely believed is that the Celtic Tiger and the modern day has simply produced a more middle class cosmopolitan youth population in Meath who just arent the same "breed" as the past and havent the same interest or attachment to the game.
(3) Bad P.R.: Some Meath posters might not like it, but its a fact. Our PR is crap. Its a county that had strong presence and success for decades and that has dried up post-millenium and the slew of managers coming and going and the news that comes out of the county (with the exception of the AI winning minors and the womens team) is usually negative news which paints a picture for kids in the county that Meath GAA isnt a successful or "cool" brand to follow.
(4) Loss of Identity: Meath was the county that was left behind in the early days of blanket defences and mass defensive styles. They simply didnt change their approach to the game and mentally were very, very slow to react to the changing game. As of 2023, Meath football teams have no tangible identity on the field which differentiates them from anyone. In the past they were aggresive, physical, often played on the edge or over the edge and played with manic intensity in the 15 on 15 game. Those days are over. Meath's "role" in the game was taken largely by Tyrone or by other Ulster teams as a collective." Excellent points and well written.
With regard to your second point on the changing face of County Meath, I see a lot of similarities in this regard between Meath and my own club which used to be a Senior powerhouse but has fallen away badly over the past 20 years. We used to be a village and the GAA club was the pride , joy and central part of the parish and we would have huge crowds at both league and championship games and everyone wanted to be involved. Every child in the village and surrounding area would have played football as there was no other sports available really. Since around 2000, the village has expanded rapidly with people from other parts of the country and foreign nationals moving in to what has become a commuter town. The population has expanded ten fold but the interest in the GAA club has significantly declined as people who have moved into the area either follow other sports and have no interest in sports at all. I'd say if you asked people in the new housing estates in the town about the local club or about Kildare gaa they wouldn't know the first thing about either. The gaa club has gone from being the most important thing in the area to just another sports club and I'd imagine lots of other clubs in the commuter belt are experiencing the same thing. Aside from the GAA, the town has lost its sense of community as people don't know each other. I could walk down the town these days and I wouldn't know a single person. We used to be very proud of our village and had a great sense of pride of place but thats now gone and the gaa club has suffered as a result. Meath seems to be suffering from many of the same things
11jm11 (Kildare) - Posts: 365 - 01/04/2023 08:08:26
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Replying To royaldunne: "Indeed,For some Colm's approach and style has turned many off, Andy was polarising but at least you knew he was trying the best for Meath. Where's Colm's interviews etc seem to be more about what Cora Staunton and the SG panel has to say about Meath. Also this thing of trying new players , well who is that down to ? He could have tried less and made the transition easier. I'm very disheartened by Colm. I did fear whe he got the job that his time had passed, but tbh I never thought things would get this bad. We have zero game plan and appear like we 15 individuals with 30 different feet that don't know what the other is doing." Colm O Rouke was one of my fav Meath players. He was sick and did not start the 1991 All Ireland final against Down. The Mourne men were a good bit ahead and Sean Boylan brought on O Rouke. He brought the Royals back into the match but Down held on for a win. I say if O Rouke came on 5 mins earlier, Meath would of won. You know the oule saying Royaldunne. Good players dont make good managers.
Ollie2 (Louth) - Posts: 784 - 01/04/2023 10:31:40
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Replying To Ollie2: "Colm O Rouke was one of my fav Meath players. He was sick and did not start the 1991 All Ireland final against Down. The Mourne men were a good bit ahead and Sean Boylan brought on O Rouke. He brought the Royals back into the match but Down held on for a win. I say if O Rouke came on 5 mins earlier, Meath would of won. You know the oule saying Royaldunne. Good players dont make good managers." One of the greatest players of al time. And you are right about 91 too if he had been brought on earlier we would have won.
Unfortunately ur last sentence seems accurate too at this stage. But I live in hope
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 01/04/2023 19:29:48
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Replying To 11jm11: "Excellent points and well written.
With regard to your second point on the changing face of County Meath, I see a lot of similarities in this regard between Meath and my own club which used to be a Senior powerhouse but has fallen away badly over the past 20 years. We used to be a village and the GAA club was the pride , joy and central part of the parish and we would have huge crowds at both league and championship games and everyone wanted to be involved. Every child in the village and surrounding area would have played football as there was no other sports available really. Since around 2000, the village has expanded rapidly with people from other parts of the country and foreign nationals moving in to what has become a commuter town. The population has expanded ten fold but the interest in the GAA club has significantly declined as people who have moved into the area either follow other sports and have no interest in sports at all. I'd say if you asked people in the new housing estates in the town about the local club or about Kildare gaa they wouldn't know the first thing about either. The gaa club has gone from being the most important thing in the area to just another sports club and I'd imagine lots of other clubs in the commuter belt are experiencing the same thing. Aside from the GAA, the town has lost its sense of community as people don't know each other. I could walk down the town these days and I wouldn't know a single person. We used to be very proud of our village and had a great sense of pride of place but thats now gone and the gaa club has suffered as a result. Meath seems to be suffering from many of the same things" Your club has fallen away in spite of being handed a huge advantage not because of it.
Look at Ratoath in Meath. What have they got 3 out of the last 4 Senior Titles in Meath?
They were a junior club before they took advantage of their population growth I believe.
To Young Gaels point about Meath I'd say the same, Meath's decline has nothing to do with their changing demographics and increasing urban population. It just makes their decline all the more remarkable imo. In fact their changing demographics are the reason to be hopeful.
MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 02/04/2023 07:32:16
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