Meath Forum

Meath 2024

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Replying To Selwyn:  "Armstrong is a great GAA prospect. But some of the comparisons are a bit OTT.
He had one class game again Louth and next of all he's the messiah. Don't get me wrong, again, he's very good. If he was that good though, he wouldn't have been marked out of it in the Semi Final again Kerry.
The school I teach in was playing his school (St Mary's) a couple of weeks back, and he was again marked out of it by a lad his own age #realitycheck"
id agree with you, he has potential and his game is all about running so if you plan for that then you stop him. Louth this year in the U20's final didn't plan that and had no one tracking him. However id have liked if he had stayed around and continue playing for the club and for the Meath U20's. If he is that good then Robbie Brennan will use him in the League next year? Yes/No?

Nothingbutthetruth (Meath) - Posts: 84 - 04/12/2024 09:23:33    2582293

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I'd advise anyone who says Meath should have done something to keep him here to read the terms of AFL rookie contracts.

As a category B rookie (the lowest rank in professional AFL) he'll earn $65'000 dollars next year. If/when he makes a Senior AFL appearance he'll earn an extra $8'000 bonus, with $4'000 of an appearance fee per game after that.

If he sticks around his salary will quickly rise to $100s of thousands by the time he's in his 20s.

His accomodation, travel, food, living expenses etc. will all be covered while he would also be living what is many young men's dream of being a professional athlete in a fantastic country.

This might be his only shot at the AFL, but the option of playing with Meath will always be there if he wants.

Firstly, are you telling me that at 17 years of age you'd have turned that down yourself?
Secondly, what could Meath have realistically done to "outbid" the lure of the AFL? Free accomodation and gym membership in UCD is buttons in comparison.....

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1668 - 04/12/2024 10:46:55    2582300

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Replying To CastleBravo:  "I'd advise anyone who says Meath should have done something to keep him here to read the terms of AFL rookie contracts.

As a category B rookie (the lowest rank in professional AFL) he'll earn $65'000 dollars next year. If/when he makes a Senior AFL appearance he'll earn an extra $8'000 bonus, with $4'000 of an appearance fee per game after that.

If he sticks around his salary will quickly rise to $100s of thousands by the time he's in his 20s.

His accomodation, travel, food, living expenses etc. will all be covered while he would also be living what is many young men's dream of being a professional athlete in a fantastic country.

This might be his only shot at the AFL, but the option of playing with Meath will always be there if he wants.

Firstly, are you telling me that at 17 years of age you'd have turned that down yourself?
Secondly, what could Meath have realistically done to "outbid" the lure of the AFL? Free accomodation and gym membership in UCD is buttons in comparison....."
But but but........

Meath should have got him a job..

Agree with everything you've said.

If a young player has his heart set on forgeing a career as a pro athlete there is nothing that any county can offer him as an incentive to stay .

And I mean absolutely nothing. Jobs Cars expenses All Ireland medals would be enough to get them to give up the opportunity to be a full time professional athlete if that's what their goal is.

Blackspot09 (Meath) - Posts: 1012 - 04/12/2024 12:21:30    2582323

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Replying To Blackspot09:  "But but but........

Meath should have got him a job..

Agree with everything you've said.

If a young player has his heart set on forgeing a career as a pro athlete there is nothing that any county can offer him as an incentive to stay .

And I mean absolutely nothing. Jobs Cars expenses All Ireland medals would be enough to get them to give up the opportunity to be a full time professional athlete if that's what their goal is."
That about 40k in Euro which is a good sum of Money for a lad so young, And alot of what you are saying is true but also the if, Not easy make it over there either and he might not have a career when he returns. Big difference in under age and adult sure this is what we as a county are struggling with " transition"

Nothingbutthetruth (Meath) - Posts: 84 - 05/12/2024 16:54:24    2582526

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he will probably be back at 23 built like a tank. meath will get benefit then.

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 790 - 05/12/2024 23:09:53    2582570

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In Fairness to the lad he is already built for Aussie Rules and his whole game is prime for it. They are all about running at full tilt. Can see him being a big hit down there if he can stomach the distance.

I say best of luck to him and would advise any young lad if given the opportunity to go for it. Can always come home but give it a go first and the rewards will always outweigh a gaa career until players are paid which is not on the agenda any time soon.

Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 642 - 06/12/2024 08:56:01    2582587

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Replying To Irish_downunder:  "In Fairness to the lad he is already built for Aussie Rules and his whole game is prime for it. They are all about running at full tilt. Can see him being a big hit down there if he can stomach the distance.

I say best of luck to him and would advise any young lad if given the opportunity to go for it. Can always come home but give it a go first and the rewards will always outweigh a gaa career until players are paid which is not on the agenda any time soon."
I was curious what percentage of players who head to Australia actually "make it" and handily enough Malachy Clerkin ran the numbers in the Irish Times at the weekend. The figures are over the past 15 years.
"Of the 45 [players], only 20 went on to play a game in Australia. Some came home straight away, others stayed a year or two before deciding it wasn't for them. Eighteen returned to Ireland without playing a game, including three from Kerry. In a decade-and-a-half, only 15 Irish players have made it to double figures in terms of AFL appearances. Only five have played at least 50 games. On the flipside, 20 of that list of 45 players came home and played intercounty football."

So put plainly. There's a great that fifty/fifty chance we get Eamon back in a few years stronger and fitter and ready to have a great Meath career. If he does make it, fair play to him.

MeathAbroad (Meath) - Posts: 101 - 09/12/2024 19:59:49    2582930

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