Meath Forum

How Do We Improve Meath Inter County Hurling?

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Replying To Tobefair80:  "So what exactly has the fact that the last two All Ireland winners played in div 2 got to do with the standard of the Meath team?? Are you saying then that Meath have a realistic chance of contesting for it too??
Just because Meath were in the same div as them means absolutely nothing, they are country miles away in terms of standards. Everton are in the same league as Liverpool and City but are still a mess of a club!
League standings mean absolutely nothing as most people know, its all about championship. Louth produced in championship when it mattered, not in a poor league.

Of the minor and u20 winning panels how many of them are on the panel now or last year? At a push 5??
Of those 5 how many will be getting game time? probably O'Halloran, Frayne and Gray, maybe the Trim lad too. You would expect to see more of them and unless they all make great strides this year then it doesn't bode well for the seniors over the next few years.

The hurlers have been down for a while now but get little or no support from the county board so they will stay down. The footballers get massive money pumped into them and are still going nowhere.

Its laughable that some of you people think that Meath football is going average and punching above their weight and still relevant. The only places we are still relevant is with people like you, and teams like Westmeath, Louth, Kildare and the other poor teams at our standard.
To the Dubs, Kerry's, Galway and Northern teams we are simply not even a thought.

I thought you being from a hurling club Dickie you would understand their struggles.."
It is a fact that Meath footballers are operating at a higher level than the hurlers and with that comes a bigger budget at every level. Throwing money at hurling doesn't fix it. The reality is the hurlers are not there to compete. Aim should be Joe Mac and competing there. Anything above that is a generational shift.
For the county to stabilise at Joe Mac, building a squad is essential and a couple of years at Christy level will benefit a young team. Down are an example of this. Meath wiped them in a final in 2019 but they are now a far better unit than Meath. If management go down the route of getting the old cohort back to win another Christy medal we may as well elect to not go up to Joe Mac. Average age of squad needed is 24-26. Loads of good young talent in Kildalkey, Na Fianna, Trim, Ratoath and Kilmessan.

off_the_wall (Roscommon) - Posts: 72 - 27/11/2024 16:54:29    2581499

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the likes of galway and armagh were in div 3 since meath were, in football it dosent take much to turn things quickly, i think meath will get back in near future. anyway meath hurling needs a lot more hurling teams being genuinely competitive against each other in chamionship, get back the clubs that are big into hurling like killyon, rathmolyon, boardmill, athboy they need all these along with new teams like ratoath and na fianna the only problem with ratoath, na fianna and omahonys is when fotball is going well its hard for hurling to go well too, the old traditional clubs is whats needed, take the senior chamionship down to 8 teams as well and move through the ranks , all championships 8 teams. 2 groups of 4 , 3 proper chamionship games 2 into semi finals, bottom in each group relegation play off. push out playing league and cups to early march to june when ground conditions get better and longer daylight.

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 790 - 27/11/2024 21:39:41    2581524

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Replying To off_the_wall:  "It is a fact that Meath footballers are operating at a higher level than the hurlers and with that comes a bigger budget at every level. Throwing money at hurling doesn't fix it. The reality is the hurlers are not there to compete. Aim should be Joe Mac and competing there. Anything above that is a generational shift.
For the county to stabilise at Joe Mac, building a squad is essential and a couple of years at Christy level will benefit a young team. Down are an example of this. Meath wiped them in a final in 2019 but they are now a far better unit than Meath. If management go down the route of getting the old cohort back to win another Christy medal we may as well elect to not go up to Joe Mac. Average age of squad needed is 24-26. Loads of good young talent in Kildalkey, Na Fianna, Trim, Ratoath and Kilmessan."
No one is talking about throwing money at them, as the footballers have proved this does not work.

We should be a Joe Mc team and capable of holding our own at that level like Westmeath, Carlow and Kerry. Instead we are way below that standard and even with all players available i am not sure we would win the Christy Ring.

Your rite though we do need to start from scratch. There are 3-4 older players on the team that have served us well in the past but are just holding back younger players now. Try all the younger players from 20-25 that are close to the standard and that are willing to commit, if they don't work out then so be it. i hope the new management brings new faces and ideas.

I don't think the hurling people of Meath are asking for the county board to throw millions at them or are expecting to be in the top tier of hurling but would like some help in improving the standard and not just the odd token gesture to keep everyone happy.

As iv said before the big towns like Navan, Athboy, Kells and Ashbourne are letting the hurlers and footballers of the county down. I would say between all of them they don't provide 5players to both panels. The smaller traditional clubs like Boardsmill, Rathmolyn, Longwood and Killyon try their best but just simply don't have the numbers. Kildalkey and Kiltale will go down the same road in the not too distant future and then where will we be..

Tobefair80 (Meath) - Posts: 74 - 28/11/2024 09:06:15    2581547

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Replying To Tobefair80:  "No one is talking about throwing money at them, as the footballers have proved this does not work.

We should be a Joe Mc team and capable of holding our own at that level like Westmeath, Carlow and Kerry. Instead we are way below that standard and even with all players available i am not sure we would win the Christy Ring.

Your rite though we do need to start from scratch. There are 3-4 older players on the team that have served us well in the past but are just holding back younger players now. Try all the younger players from 20-25 that are close to the standard and that are willing to commit, if they don't work out then so be it. i hope the new management brings new faces and ideas.

I don't think the hurling people of Meath are asking for the county board to throw millions at them or are expecting to be in the top tier of hurling but would like some help in improving the standard and not just the odd token gesture to keep everyone happy.

As iv said before the big towns like Navan, Athboy, Kells and Ashbourne are letting the hurlers and footballers of the county down. I would say between all of them they don't provide 5players to both panels. The smaller traditional clubs like Boardsmill, Rathmolyn, Longwood and Killyon try their best but just simply don't have the numbers. Kildalkey and Kiltale will go down the same road in the not too distant future and then where will we be.."
You haven't a clue , Navan , Athboy , Kells , Ashbourne never fail to put out hurling teams .... football just takes priority in 3 of them you can't blame them for that , Meath Hurling is like Grass Hockey dont be giving it large about town teams

Head4TheBlackSpot (Meath) - Posts: 27 - 28/11/2024 09:41:53    2581552

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Replying To Head4TheBlackSpot:  "You haven't a clue , Navan , Athboy , Kells , Ashbourne never fail to put out hurling teams .... football just takes priority in 3 of them you can't blame them for that , Meath Hurling is like Grass Hockey dont be giving it large about town teams"
How many footballers from Navan, Athboy, Kells and Ashbourne are there currently on the Meath football panel?

Tobefair80 (Meath) - Posts: 74 - 28/11/2024 15:17:37    2581612

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Replying To Tobefair80:  "No one is talking about throwing money at them, as the footballers have proved this does not work.

We should be a Joe Mc team and capable of holding our own at that level like Westmeath, Carlow and Kerry. Instead we are way below that standard and even with all players available i am not sure we would win the Christy Ring.

Your rite though we do need to start from scratch. There are 3-4 older players on the team that have served us well in the past but are just holding back younger players now. Try all the younger players from 20-25 that are close to the standard and that are willing to commit, if they don't work out then so be it. i hope the new management brings new faces and ideas.

I don't think the hurling people of Meath are asking for the county board to throw millions at them or are expecting to be in the top tier of hurling but would like some help in improving the standard and not just the odd token gesture to keep everyone happy.

As iv said before the big towns like Navan, Athboy, Kells and Ashbourne are letting the hurlers and footballers of the county down. I would say between all of them they don't provide 5players to both panels. The smaller traditional clubs like Boardsmill, Rathmolyn, Longwood and Killyon try their best but just simply don't have the numbers. Kildalkey and Kiltale will go down the same road in the not too distant future and then where will we be.."
where we will be is probably Trim-Kilmessan domination again with maybe Kildalkey or one other club keeping them honest an odd year.

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 790 - 28/11/2024 21:06:17    2581663

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Replying To Tobefair80:  "How many footballers from Navan, Athboy, Kells and Ashbourne are there currently on the Meath football panel?"
I'm open to correction, but I don't think there has ever been a particularly strong county panel representation from 3 of the clubs/towns you mentioned. The exception being Navan of course.

As I say, if I'm wrong in this regard, it's not with the intention of causing offence.

In some regards, Meath is quite unique in that there has always been a great geographical spread on county panels, with players representing all areas of the county.

I don't think it's helpful to single out certain towns or clubs as somehow being deficient when it comes to supplying players to county panels. Again, I'm certainly open to correction, but I think it would be difficult to find any clubs in the county who's stated aim is to develop players for the Meath panels. Yes, the majority of clubs want to ensure they develop players so they maximise their potential, but that is a different aim to supplying county players.

Given where we are at as a collective, it's obvious that coaching standards and governance needs to be dramatically improved. That responsibility falls to all clubs, regardless of location.

oceanofnoise (Meath) - Posts: 52 - 29/11/2024 16:44:04    2581704

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I see in the Chronicle that a lot of people's prayers have been answered. In 2026 the SHC and SHC B will be 2 separate competitions.

Doesn't state what the format will be, but presumably top 4 into the semi finals. Lessens the jeopardy a bit, but the alternative is top team in the final with 2nd Vs. 3rd in a semi which is too lopsided for me. Could go with only the top 2 in the final but that'd lead to a fair few pointless games where a team has already lost twice so has little to play for.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1668 - 30/11/2024 14:53:35    2581772

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well its an absolute sham if 4 teams get through to a semi final out of 6, just do like westmeath, top team straight to final and 2 v 3 in one semi final, 5v 6 in relagation play off and side thats 4th is safe. you have to reward the team that might win 5 out of 5 group games over a team that might win 2 and lose three and end up in 4th right at the same stage as the team that won all their games. its gaining nothing only more shadow boxing games in opening rounds if its not 3 out of 6 going through

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 790 - 02/12/2024 15:22:49    2582062

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Replying To dickie10:  "where we will be is probably Trim-Kilmessan domination again with maybe Kildalkey or one other club keeping them honest an odd year."
Athboy certainly won't be in the mix. Hard to see past Ratoath, Trim and Kildalkey. They continue to bring through good numbers to Adult Hurling. Talking of Kilmessan dominating the future is far to premature.

CrookedSticks (Fermanagh) - Posts: 7 - 02/12/2024 21:49:53    2582124

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Replying To dickie10:  "where we will be is probably Trim-Kilmessan domination again with maybe Kildalkey or one other club keeping them honest an odd year."
Kilmessan ? Current team has some promise at best but bar is very low down there in last 10 years.
I would expect ratoath to stick around for next few years , young team still so not sure where you see the fall off?

hurlit (Meath) - Posts: 425 - 02/12/2024 22:37:37    2582131

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A few tough trips in the NHL and a lot of travelling
Allianz Hurling League Roinn 2 Fixtures

Sunday 26th January

Round 1

Trim 14:00 An Mhí v Dún na nGall

Saturday 8th February

Round 3

Eoghain Ruadh, Dungannon 14:00 Tír Eoghain v An Mhí

Sunday 23rd February

Round 4

Trim 13:15 An Mhí v An Dún

Saturday 1st March

Round 5

Austin Stack Park, Tralee 15:30 Ciarraí v An Mhí

Saturday 8th March

Round 6

Derry CoE, Owenbeg 16:00 Doire v An Mhí

Saturday 22nd March

Round 7

Trim 14:30 An Mhí v Cill Dara

bountyboy22 (USA) - Posts: 38 - 06/12/2024 11:59:31    2582617

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No one will Ike to hear this but the easiest answer to improving meath club football and hurling would be to run our championships with Westmeath.

A 4 from each country senior hurling championship would absolutely raise standards.

For football a 16 team (8 from each county) approach would again raise standards in a very positive way.

I can't see it as anything other than a positive.

For those who would see it as a step backwards because we wouldn't always have a provincial entry...that would be understandable but ultimately meaningless...getting into Leinster and being beaten by 15 points is not a badge of honor.

I'd love people to treat this idea seriously, higher standards raise all boats.

goosey (Meath) - Posts: 63 - 07/12/2024 01:59:16    2582690

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Replying To goosey:  "No one will Ike to hear this but the easiest answer to improving meath club football and hurling would be to run our championships with Westmeath.

A 4 from each country senior hurling championship would absolutely raise standards.

For football a 16 team (8 from each county) approach would again raise standards in a very positive way.

I can't see it as anything other than a positive.

For those who would see it as a step backwards because we wouldn't always have a provincial entry...that would be understandable but ultimately meaningless...getting into Leinster and being beaten by 15 points is not a badge of honor.

I'd love people to treat this idea seriously, higher standards raise all boats."
This is a hurling/football discussion.

There are plenty of online angling forums which would be a more appropriate place for yourself and your little fishing rod.

oceanofnoise (Meath) - Posts: 52 - 07/12/2024 17:29:28    2582725

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Replying To oceanofnoise:  "This is a hurling/football discussion.

There are plenty of online angling forums which would be a more appropriate place for yourself and your little fishing rod."
Well it's most appropriate for hurling,both counties have a core of 3-5 strong senior club teams.Westmeath hurling is largely in the east of the county. It just seems sensible not sure why anyone would be so immediately sensitive to the idea.

goosey (Meath) - Posts: 63 - 08/12/2024 05:47:01    2582748

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your talking about reuniting the county of Meath then? thats fantasy stuff is it not? not to say that its probably the only county that realistically could be done as it is the diocese has no border in it but takes in a good bit of offaly too, navan, mullingar and tullamore are all in diocese of meath. i dont know why meath was divided anyway but some of Elizabeth I civil servants did it i think

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 790 - 09/12/2024 23:02:12    2582958

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Great win for Kilmessan u21s. 2 years ina row now , you could only presume they will be challenging for a senior championship in the next couple of years !!

Joe_soap1 (Meath) - Posts: 84 - 16/12/2024 12:30:24    2583731

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yeah they could just happen to come along at a time where there is a gap in the market, i think kiltale are probabaly going to struggle to win another championship in next few years, ratoath might win one or two more , kildalkey probabaly get hard to win another one without a lot of new players coming in, Trim and Kilmessan well placed to hoover up a few in next 10 years

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 790 - 16/12/2024 12:55:28    2583733

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Replying To dickie10:  "yeah they could just happen to come along at a time where there is a gap in the market, i think kiltale are probabaly going to struggle to win another championship in next few years, ratoath might win one or two more , kildalkey probabaly get hard to win another one without a lot of new players coming in, Trim and Kilmessan well placed to hoover up a few in next 10 years"
It takes every thing to go in your favour to win a Jubilee. The draw! Where you play your games. How many injuries you pick up in the season. The Referee. The weather.
( All outside most clubs control).
The clubs can mitigate said variables by a number of proactive interventions; protecting players, (not overusing in league etc). Ensure quality support from physios etc. Top class training and broad experience from coaches./ other professionals. Morale has to be managed. Hunger to win needs to be instilled. Bringing new players from juvenile setup is a must and has to be managed.
You need a big bit of luck as well. Any team who has won the Jubilee will tell you that.

CrookedSticks (Fermanagh) - Posts: 7 - 18/12/2024 13:04:29    2583984

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