This is the team I would start with alternatives or impact subs (after starters have exhausted themselves) in brackets. Other subs as needed/required.

POR
DK - CMcG - JOR
AD - MB - CF
HR - PH
COS - GR - DS (AT)
ST (BMcM) - MN - DL (EW)

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 28/01/2016 18:23:09    1820140

I would go

POR
Keoghan
McGill
Tormey
Burke
Power
Finn
Rooney
Harnan
Reilly
O'Sullivan
McEntee
McMahon
Newman
Lenihan

But its very difficult to pick.

In fact I would be surprised if anyone gets the team right.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 28/01/2016 19:20:53    1820157

its hard to say how many, if any, of the Ratoath lads will start. Eamon Wallace and McMahon are the most likely of those to start. McGill might not be thrown straight back in given that last Sunday was his first competitive game since the Intermediate Final, and he was only a late inclusion at that. James McEntee is in a similar position to McMahon and E. Wallace. So team will probably be very similar to last Sunday.

royalfan4life (Meath) - Posts: 76 - 28/01/2016 20:34:38    1820181

Im sorry for asking a question i know must have been asked recently but ill ask again. Menton and Gillespie... they have opted out of the panel? And i know Flanagan did the knee. Just scary thinking of our lack of midfielders. This time last year Harry wasn't really on the scene. The only thing is Micko has a habit of finding a diamond in the rough, Wallace and Harnan 1 year, McMahon and Joey another and last year it was Rooney. Hopefully he finds the gem early this year. I have a feeling it will be arduous league with the amount of Ulster teams in with us. Still if we can find a partner for Harry in midfield i think there are grounds for some optimism. Also id like to see a good bit more from Donal Lenihan.

urizen (Meath) - Posts: 116 - 28/01/2016 21:19:57    1820194

Ziggy! When you pick a team is on geographical spread that you rely on - fill the team with the neighbours. You would put 4 or 5 players on the team who have not played for the county in 6 months. You would have 30% of your defence from a intermediate team that conceded 2-20 last Sunday (now that is not to say that they may all walk on to the team before league is finished). What would I do? well the O'Byrne Cup may not be much in some folk's eyes but it is the first time we have won it in 10 years so that is a start, as winning is all. I would play the team that won it and that includes the two forwards who came on at end and did excellent.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 29/01/2016 09:08:38    1820234

I'll go for
POR
Keogan
McGill
Smyth
Harnan
Burke
Finn
Rooney
Cian O Brien (unlikely but he deserves a chance, Tormey more realistic)
Biggy
C O Sullivan
Tormey (McEntee if midfield)
E Wallace
Newman
Lenihan

Meathgaa5 (Meath) - Posts: 339 - 29/01/2016 10:49:23    1820269

POR
DT-DK-DS
AD-MB-CF
HR-PH
GR-BMcM-COS
JMcE-MN-DL

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1981 - 29/01/2016 11:20:42    1820285

I see Aidan Forker is named at no. 7 for Armagh. Normally he plays as a forward so my guess would be that he'll pick up Biggy and try to drag him down the field. Hopefully the Meath management are wise to this..

Coolnahinch (Meath) - Posts: 22 - 29/01/2016 11:39:18    1820292

Cool

Reilly could be at midfield

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 29/01/2016 11:51:10    1820298

Stefan Campbell named at wing forward is also an interesting one.

McGeeney will have a plan no doubt.

Uncle_Fester (Meath) - Posts: 217 - 29/01/2016 12:40:04    1820321

urizen

Im sorry for asking a question i know must have been asked recently but ill ask again. Menton and Gillespie...

I don't really know what the story with Menton is but from what I've heard the news on Gillespie isn't good, apparently the knee is still in bad shape and he won't be in a Meath shirt any time soon but hopefully I heard wrong.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 29/01/2016 12:48:37    1820325

I have heard different stories about Menton in the last few months,so no point saying anything,we will have to wait and see on that one.
The only thing we know about Gillespie is that he hasn't retired,but I was talking to a NOM player and he said Gillespie came on against them last season in the last 10mins and he could barely move! Now why the hell would you have a player on in that state? I don't care if its Lionel Messi,disgraceful stuff.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 29/01/2016 13:45:58    1820356

Will Meath be announcing a team or is it just championship that they need to 24hrs before the event

Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 651 - 29/01/2016 13:51:45    1820360

Real pity about Gillespie. Would've been an ideal partner for Rooney at midfield with the likes of Flanagan and Cian O'Brien in reserve. It also means that Tormey and Biggy are occasionally played out of position to compensate for his loss. As regards the team not being named, my only complaint would be that it does nothing to encourage interest and debate but if it helps to give us an edge over the opposition, then I don't mind!

Coolnahinch (Meath) - Posts: 22 - 29/01/2016 14:15:46    1820378

I agree Coolnahinch, in fact I would go as far as saying that, if Gillespie were available and fully fit, we would give div 2 a right rattle and also put it up to Dublin in the championship also. Without him there's a big hole that we don't seem to be able to fill.

oldsam_newsam (Meath) - Posts: 638 - 29/01/2016 15:05:48    1820394

Not sure you would have too many teams with a better midfield,if we had Rooney and Gillespie.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 29/01/2016 15:20:53    1820399

Thinking back to the 2013 club final against Na Fianna, Gillespie was simply outstanding for Summerhill. Best player on the field by some distance that day. Got motm too if memory serves me well.

Coolnahinch (Meath) - Posts: 22 - 29/01/2016 15:47:21    1820410

Lads Gillespie and Rooney partnered would easily be as good as we've had since in 2001 but sadly the reality is that isn't not likely to happen so we have to move on.

Where is Donnacha Tobin these days, is he injured or off on his travels again? I wouldn't mind seeing him around the middle with Rooney.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 29/01/2016 16:14:43    1820431

Htaem

Tobin had a shoulder op(I think),but he is training with the squad.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 29/01/2016 16:30:27    1820438

Cheers for that ziggy, be great to have Tobin back, he's a good, athletic player with a good engine, was maybe wasted a bit in the corner last year, be better to see him well out the field but that will depend on how other lads are performing I suppose.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 29/01/2016 16:53:15    1820450