I think man markers with pace would be a priority if looking for more defenders. This was an area where squad was a little thin on. James McEntee was next in if injuries or changes needed at corner back and James is not a natural corner back. Perhaps Keoghan dropping back and alternative half back also idea as seem to be more stocked on half back options in county.
If all fit, fairly well stocked at midfield too.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 811 - 20/09/2025 11:31:31    2636832

I thought Charlie O'Connor of Dunshaughlin played very well at the weekend, and he arguably outperformed Conor Gray. He is worth a try. biggest area of concern for me is corner back - we need as much depth there as possible. I think Brennan should use the league to rotate positions and give lads exposure to playing there.

If everyone is fit, I actually see scope for Kinsella at 6. He has all the football you'd want in that role and is excellent coming onto play, which also opens up the option of moving a half back into full back.

Another key area is our 45 kickers. We need to be executing dead balls more consistently.

I think some positional switches could really help meath .take Frayne, I think he's a great bit of stuff, but he could use a touch more pace to buy himself that extra half yard so he's not forced to kick on sight. Ultimately, I think 11 could be his best position. If I could ask santy it would be 2 athletic backs ideally corner backs and a 45 kicker and with those wed be an Established top tier team for sure.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 29 - 29/09/2025 23:04:49    2637889

Big year for Meath. Will the push on or fall back into the pack I think the latter is most likely as perhaps they over achieved this year.
The League is so important now with renewed Derbys from promoted Kildare and Offaly and tough asks from relegated Armagh and Derry, throw in old foes and more Derbys from Louth and Cavan and then improving Cork, Meath will most likely be fighting relegation and a return to Tailteann Cup football is a real possibility and would be a disaster
The Country is watching Meath to improve …. Time will tell

numberedjerseys (USA) - Posts: 371 - 30/09/2025 08:24:39    2637903

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 811 - 30/09/2025 10:11:03    2637918

No way would i move kinsella, he's the centre forward we've been waiting for for God knows how long. Adam mcdonnell from summerhill has impressed. Plays with a serious edge, not too many around with his attributes

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1031 - 30/09/2025 12:14:18    2637935

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 811 - 30/09/2025 12:39:20    2637942

Hearing Skyrnes coach Conor Scully has been brought in by RB. Looks a positive move if true. Lads in Skyrne speak very highly of him. Heard Dave Clare speaking highly of him too in an interview before their championship meeting. On the player front I have been very impressed with Castletowns Rian McConnell, could be one to make the step up.

Northroyal55 (Meath) - Posts: 11 - 01/10/2025 07:09:40    2638059

I think the most interesting thing upcoming for Meath will be appointing the Captain for 2026. I think Frayne should be and could be under pressure. He's just not fast enough at inter county level and lacks the kind of power that inside forwards sometimes have if they are not fast (think Oisin McConville) The captaincy decision will be an indicator on Robbie's thinking here.

My Idea of a Forward line for 2026

10 - Duke (pressure)11 - Kinsella - 12 Cant decide
13 - Costello 14 - Conlon 15 Morris

A couple of additional thoughts. Ronan Jones just can't be considered a sustainable option at this stage. You just have to expect him to be injured. Even if he's fit, I like him as a closer. Think of the game against Dublin where he just gets on the ball, slows it down, and plays with his head.

Young Lads Coming Through
Michael McIvor - 3-6 in the Junior Semi-final, I think, having been very sick the few weeks before? He looks the part and plays the part in everything he's done, albeit at a lower grade.

Cian Commons - Has elevated himself to be Seneschalstown's most important player, even above the likes of Meath panelist Cathal Hickey. Again, he's a mountain of a man and could be an option at 12 or even apply pressure to Duke at 10.

Jamie Murphy - I'm not convinced just yet. He just doesn't seem to string games together. Brilliant in one, tied up by a decent man marker in the next. He's clearly a great free-taker, which is something I think we need (Think of all of Hogan's missed chances in key games last year from the ground). Jury still out for me on him just yet.

We need backs IMO - Wheres the next Raff out of nowhere coming from?

Coylesrighthand (Meath) - Posts: 27 - 01/10/2025 11:38:34    2638110

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1031 - 01/10/2025 13:35:18    2638133

As we've all said, I think corner backs are the biggest priority right now. We need as many pacey tigers back there as we can get. That's not easy to train, so it really comes down to who develops and comes through. I don't follow club football closely enough to know the prospects, but I'd still be very positive about Meath senior football in the short term. We genuinely have a crop of good young footballers right now.

For me, the key is making them work for us better - switch them around, expose them to new roles, keep things fluid. Like Armagh did: stick with a good core but change who wears what number over the years. Good intercounty players should be able to cover most positions in their half of the field.

That said it looks like full forward line players have to be lethal. It's an unforgiving position where every possession is expected to end in a score. Take Curtis, for example: he could play a Dukes-type role - linking play, recycling, shooting from distance - but because he's close to goal, he's judged much harsher. Same with Frayne.

Frayne lacks that extra yard of pace, which makes him shoot too early. I'd move him out a bit - he's two-footed, sees a pass, and is technically a skilled kicker. With more physical development, he'll ride tackles better, be more comfortable with tight marking, and then be able to drift back nearer goal.

We've got an interesting mix: Flynn, Gray, Conlon, and Caufield bring physical attributes, while Morris, Frayne, Costello, and Kinsella are technical footballers. The issue is we're not always getting the right type on the ball at the right moments - too often it's like-for-like isolated together. Smarter movement and positioning could really unlock them. In simple terms, we need a better balance of physicality and skill in the forward line.

Costello, for me, is the only Meath player consistently thinking a step ahead - drawing players, continuing runs, and arriving for the third or fourth pass. If more lads developed that side of their game, Curtis or Frayne wouldn't get turned over or forced into rushed shots as often.

It's a pity Banty hasn't stayed fit. He brings pace and ball-winning high up the pitch, a perfect foil for the class of Morris and Frayne. And if Jones, Flynn, Gray, O'Neill, and Menton are all fit, pushing one of Jones or Flynn into the forward line gives us a completely different look in attack.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 29 - 01/10/2025 23:02:21    2638206

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 82 - 02/10/2025 11:34:08    2638235

Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 524 - 02/10/2025 13:35:19    2638252

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 811 - 02/10/2025 15:08:37    2638271