Meath Forum

Meath V Cork

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Replying To royalproxy:  "Reading your last few posts I really cannot understand what you are trying to say. Particularly the Diamond system, how many players are in the diamond? What players are in it? I read a while back one of the pundits talking about a diamond shape to a team but he explained it a lot differently to you. Is this where you got it ? Most teams are now flooding the midfield area anyway, so nothing new .
Not having a go but can't see where you're coming from. Also , dropping the captain ???"
I'll try my best to explain it.10 and 12 drop into the middle third (you can have one of them playing just in front of 6 and the other one as an extra midfielder)If their men follow them then there is space on either wing for let's say Conlon and Morris.Kinsela at the half forward line Conlon one wing too himself and say morris the other wing with Costello or Frayne at full forward.So a quick ball to either wing I'd back either morris/Conlon to win a foot race v their marker.when they win the ball they can either take their marker on or lay it off to runners coming through.You could play Frayne at the top(the reason I left him out was you need pace for the wings so hands up probably wrong I'd play him on the full forward line)and put Costello at 10/12need to get him more on the ball.If the 2 players dont follow 10/12 well you have 2 extra men around the middle and should clean up at midfield and also strengthen your backline as one of 10/12 sits in front of six.Its just an idea not saying it will work but think at least it would give the other team something to think about.You basically have 4 attackers in kinsella,morris,Conlon and Frayne and Costello at 10 around the middle and maybe Duke or o'Neil at 12 in front of 6. As I've said having looked back probably wrong to not play Frayne and makes more sense to play Costello further out with his running ability.I hope you can grasp it would be easier if I had a magnet board lol.

Proudroyal (Meath) - Posts: 353 - 17/05/2025 12:07:22    2610194

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Replying To thelutch:  "Big opportunity for RB and the lads to express themselves now after the numerous disappointments during the year - Missing out on Division football ( people saying we not ready, only way to find out and improve is to be in it ) , Departures of our coaching team and losing the leinster final.

HOWEVER I believe we have made progress as a team this year, beating the dubs will be the highlight of the season when we all reflect later on but first we have 3 games to look forward to and see where it brings us.

Cork are slight favourites in the bookies I see and rightly so, could have and maybe should have beat Kerry in Munster, have had longer to regroup and prepare than us. Have had a mixed bag of results in the league but championship is a different competition as we all know.

The more games we get as a group this year the more we can improve and learn , not overly confident but very hopeful as is the case most of the season.

Really need Ronan Jones fit and available, he has been a huge loss when not available."
Jones out for the season

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 986 - 17/05/2025 13:08:37    2610201

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Roscommon don't look great, away game always going to be difficult for us but if we've anything about us we should put them to the sword. Cork going to be the tougher game for sure.

NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 44 - 17/05/2025 16:14:45    2610242

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Replying To southmeathgael:  "Jones out for the season"
Difficult to know it seems..one report says no not as bad as that .Maybe even back in couple of weeks as its reported he is in training ????? Agreed he is needed if fully fit no question

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1285 - 17/05/2025 18:18:48    2610277

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Ronan jones is a massive loss but he should be given plenty of time to get himself right he was rushed back in against dublin and look where he now...
Gary breslin should be called back into the squad now he is back fit. Seen him against Oldcastle in the league last week and he stood out by a mile.. definitely worth looking at

Sallywebster (Meath) - Posts: 8 - 17/05/2025 19:47:05    2610334

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Replying To Sallywebster:  "Ronan jones is a massive loss but he should be given plenty of time to get himself right he was rushed back in against dublin and look where he now...
Gary breslin should be called back into the squad now he is back fit. Seen him against Oldcastle in the league last week and he stood out by a mile.. definitely worth looking at"
Was Breslin in the squad earlier on and out with a long term injury up until recently? Was really good in club championship last year but intercounty different pedigree. Could be next years league before fringe players get their chance.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 646 - 17/05/2025 20:52:21    2610374

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Replying To Sallywebster:  "Ronan jones is a massive loss but he should be given plenty of time to get himself right he was rushed back in against dublin and look where he now...
Gary breslin should be called back into the squad now he is back fit. Seen him against Oldcastle in the league last week and he stood out by a mile.. definitely worth looking at"
Agreed Breslin looks like a player who might suit the rules, he's explosive and can beat his man. I think he's better than Keith Curtis, Aaron Lynch and a few others who feature regularly.

But heard some rumours a while back that he choose to drop off the panel, was nursing an injury at the time after the club championship. And didn't want to commit to county. Can't see him coming back in this year, but let's see how he gets on in the Senior Championship against better players.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 14 - 18/05/2025 02:40:33    2610474

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That Breslin dropped himself off the panel pre season. Jones is unfortunately 100% OUT

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 986 - 18/05/2025 13:06:14    2610565

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Jones out is a major loss indeed ,but we have no control over that for this match. We have all the control over dealing with the easily identifiable weaknesses in the Louth match If that is not clearly dealt with that would be concerning if we are trying to show continuous progress. ,Maybe i am wrong but i think we can beat Cork in Navan if team believes they can having dealt with those issues

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1285 - 18/05/2025 16:09:32    2610606

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I've been fortunate to get to a few league games this year and have only missed the Dublin match in the championship. A few things have stood out to me as areas for improvement:

Carrying into contact: We're too often running into tackles around midfield. Kinsella, Keoghan, and Caufield in particular have been guilty of this. It's something that needs to be addressed urgently.Losing the ball in midfield or in our own half-back line is almost a guaranteed score for the opposition right now.This needs Composure and decision-making, or even some games manship drag a foul onto you etc.

Midfield rotation: Adam O'Neill had a good showing against the Dubs. While it made sense that Flynn came back in, O'Neill should still have seen some game time, especially when we were under pressure. Fresh legs and confidence can turn momentum. if gray and oneill are availble they both need time off the bench at midfield.

Using our threats better: Costello looks like he's playing at his leisure - we absolutely need to be maximising his impact more. Flynn lobbing tired long-range efforts or Caufield carrying the ball into traffic doesn't serve us, if its slow we need to wait for costello or frayne to come on the loop. I think curtis place is probably up for grabs if morris is fit that is probably the only switch.

Attacking cohesion: Louth showed us what sharp interplay between full-forwards can do - they created two clear goal chances, scored one, and won a penalty. Meath, by contrast, are playing as very talented individuals up front, but not always as a unit. UP THE ROYALS !!

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 16 - 19/05/2025 14:35:48    2610992

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Replying To royalcounty1:  "I've been fortunate to get to a few league games this year and have only missed the Dublin match in the championship. A few things have stood out to me as areas for improvement:

Carrying into contact: We're too often running into tackles around midfield. Kinsella, Keoghan, and Caufield in particular have been guilty of this. It's something that needs to be addressed urgently.Losing the ball in midfield or in our own half-back line is almost a guaranteed score for the opposition right now.This needs Composure and decision-making, or even some games manship drag a foul onto you etc.

Midfield rotation: Adam O'Neill had a good showing against the Dubs. While it made sense that Flynn came back in, O'Neill should still have seen some game time, especially when we were under pressure. Fresh legs and confidence can turn momentum. if gray and oneill are availble they both need time off the bench at midfield.

Using our threats better: Costello looks like he's playing at his leisure - we absolutely need to be maximising his impact more. Flynn lobbing tired long-range efforts or Caufield carrying the ball into traffic doesn't serve us, if its slow we need to wait for costello or frayne to come on the loop. I think curtis place is probably up for grabs if morris is fit that is probably the only switch.

Attacking cohesion: Louth showed us what sharp interplay between full-forwards can do - they created two clear goal chances, scored one, and won a penalty. Meath, by contrast, are playing as very talented individuals up front, but not always as a unit. UP THE ROYALS !!"
Think you make a few very important points here and it is even true of Keoghan about running into trouble at times. Now with a little more space with new rules outside the cluster, these players need to look up and pop tye ball on and by all means run on and support. Correct also on Midfield area. Any fresh legs would have been beneficial against Louth. Gray you would be hoping if given opportunity would be an asset.
Even your point on Costello is true. He has effectively been given a free role and his talent deserves it but for majority of Leinster final, his contribution with and without the ball was unsatisfactory. He needs to be tidier and have more conviction in possession and work harder out of possession. He was player of the month for April but for Meath to do well he has to perform well. Hopefully with team more cohesion and structure will develop but judging by recent matches this past weekend, energy and determination from get go against Cork will be the most important traits.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 646 - 19/05/2025 18:33:13    2611103

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Replying To nobull456:  "Jones out is a major loss indeed ,but we have no control over that for this match. We have all the control over dealing with the easily identifiable weaknesses in the Louth match If that is not clearly dealt with that would be concerning if we are trying to show continuous progress. ,Maybe i am wrong but i think we can beat Cork in Navan if team believes they can having dealt with those issues"
You might not be wrong. We are wondering what Cork team will turn up. If it's the team that ran Kerry close, and probably should have won, then I think we have a great chance, if our performance is not up to that level then Meath will win. I was at the LF (herself is from Navan) and could only see one winner at HT, but somehow Meath allowed Louth dictate the second half and your midfield seem to fall apart.
I actually couldn't believe that Meath stood off Louth so much in those last remaining minutes. Maybe they were tired, but I expect you to be a different proposition in Navan on Saturday

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 389 - 20/05/2025 13:06:14    2611299

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We should be winning if the game is at home. But winning or losing isn't really important right now, once we see the team bringing spirit and fight, which they didn't for years, but are now.

We're at a stage where confidence is back, but growing in terms of experience and game management will take time. Can only get that through hard battles.

But this management have the team up for it again, we're only going to improve from here on out, win or lose. All I wanted to see from this management team in their first year, was putting the fight and spirit back into the team, which is happening, the rest will come in time.

Id be expecting to be beat Cork at home, but if we don't, happy enough if they show fight and character!

32_4_1 (Meath) - Posts: 4155 - 20/05/2025 20:25:38    2611401

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A win on Saturday would be huge. One foot in knockouts. Going to Roscommon with confidence and a free hit against Kerry (who could already be home and hosed) in final game. Losing and suddenly a lot of the good vibes from the Dublin will ebb away. We've seen the likes of, ironically, Cork fail to follow up statement wins (eg Donegal last year) and it's not long til it's back to doom and gloom.
Hope we take a leaf out of Dublin's book, funnily enough. They came out with a point to prove last week and treated midfield and the kickout battles like a 'warzone' (Brian Howard's words). If we do that and win the contests by even a small majority we should win the game. We need to tighten up down the middle, and having someone on Chris Og Jones like glue will be important.
Would also love to see Caulfield getting a little further up at times. Not all the time, but enough to be a goal threat. We've had no consistent goal threat all year and I think one could come from more adventurous wing-back play, particularly immediately after winning turnovers. Our best spell against Louth was when we took on players and stopped being so ponderous.

MeathAbroad (Meath) - Posts: 162 - 21/05/2025 10:24:29    2611485

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