I'd have given him a few weeks off in the circumstances, but would expect him to play midfield on Sunday.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 26/01/2016 21:31:41    1819560

Glas

I agree,but I don't think he was playing too well before his bad news.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 26/01/2016 21:37:46    1819562

Are Davy Dalton and Paddy Gilsenan still part of the squad or not?

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 27/01/2016 13:31:31    1819695

Paddy Gilsenan hasn't been since last year and I'm not sure what the story is with Davy Dalton.

jackhackett (Meath) - Posts: 773 - 27/01/2016 13:54:14    1819708

Dalton very injury prone

Gilsenan I once thought was a decent prospect but ultimately not good enough

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 27/01/2016 14:04:54    1819718

GlasagusOr- If he goes for a conservative approach in defence he will go with the guys that are playing at present who can defend and not some of what I saw last year, guys who could not defend! People talk of experience and most of the experience from last year was of getting beaten. Just hope everything moves on from that and forget about names. I would be surprised if any player from the club matches last weekend were started and that is not to say that they may be great going forward.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 27/01/2016 14:28:21    1819735

Grand Thanks. I always thought Gilsenan was a decent enough forward and worthy of a place in the set up. Ah well.

I was second guessing MOD last night before I went to sleep :) who our other corner back, half forward and half-back line will be on Sunday with all the various options circling around in my head. I then starting thinking about all the great memories of Meath games down the years at Croke Park. The 80's and 90's teams really spoiled us. We've still had a few good (and bad) days since, despite the longish barren spell.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 27/01/2016 14:52:12    1819749

Browncows, I'd very much like to see O'Reilly, Smyth, Finn and Douglas start but as Ziggy mentioned earlier, I just can't see it happening vs. Armagh. We'll know soon enough. And last years league form wasn't as bad as the championship.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 27/01/2016 15:06:27    1819758

Glas

I think it would be a major risk..

Remember the goal against Longford we conceded was fairly shocking,they walked it in and almost did the same thing second half.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 27/01/2016 15:13:47    1819760

Yes Ziggy, the stakes are much higher now - without doubt that will influence team selection in favour of more established/experienced players.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 27/01/2016 15:27:09    1819765

Well if D.Tobin and McGill are available for selection,I would play those guys.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 27/01/2016 15:49:27    1819774

If he was thinking of Donnacha Tobin then surely he would have got a run last weekend. That said i would like to see Donnacha getting a try at midfield at some stage soon.The only two I would start from last weekend's club games would be Mc Gill and E Wallace.

Personally I think that Paddy Gilsenan got a bit of a raw deal from MOD but he sees the players a lot more so cant really complain.

oldsam_newsam (Meath) - Posts: 638 - 27/01/2016 16:05:01    1819780

Bryan McMahon was one of the few Ratoath players that played well last week according to the Chronicle,so perhaps he may start?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 27/01/2016 16:30:16    1819789

Ziggy, I am happy that you are not a selector! - I assume you were at the match against Longford. Do you know who was supposed to be marking the guy who scored the goal - I expect not judging by your and other posts- it was not any of the new players!!!! It is easy for some posters to make bland statements with little factual detail in term of analysis of a game.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 27/01/2016 18:45:11    1819826

Look the new lads have earned the right, we weren't exactly setting the league on fire last year, it was the weakest div 2 in long time, we still failed to get promoted and thrown it away v both Roscommon and Laois. Barring maybe 2 changes id leave well enough alone as regards starting line up, there's a winning mentality there cause of O'Byrne, my view is change should only be made if it will strengthen the team, and tbh I dont know if it would, besides all that, that's what subs are for.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/01/2016 19:42:01    1819841

If it ain't broke keep fixing it until it is!

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1821 - 27/01/2016 20:22:19    1819853

Browncows

What you are talking about?

For Longfords goal alot of players were unmarked.It was very hard to see exactly who was marking who from where I was in the far side of the terrace.It was poor defending all round.You seem to be blaming one player in particular?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 27/01/2016 20:44:20    1819856

I think it may have been Burke,but its not even who got the finishing touch,the defending before that was very poor and thats a collective thing.When you have 4 new players in defence its hard for them to get into a system of play.They are all trying to impress individually,and have all done well in that way,but as a until defensively its more difficult..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 27/01/2016 20:46:51    1819858

Straight up I am going for Meath by 1 point on Sunday.

This will be a real tough test and one where Rooney will need a lot of help in midfield battle where Andy Tormey I expect will be more in tune and will supply that. McGeeney will have a donkey to dog Biggie so dont expect much return for Meath there. Cillian Sullivan is our Diamond and will pull strings and be a play maker. Newman to kick a few frees but little else and Tobin may knock over a few but scoring will be a problem as Downey and Lenihan so far have not given the score board man much work.

I hope Meath 1-9 to 0-11 something like that

glenny (Meath) - Posts: 1119 - 27/01/2016 20:56:07    1819863

Glenny

I would take that.

I thought Newman linked up well against Longford,but over the course of the O'Byrne Cup,he has scored 1 point from play,he is capable of much better.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 27/01/2016 21:10:16    1819868