Meath Forum

Meath Vs Kerry

(Oldest Posts First)

Tullamore confirmed, hopefully a big Meath crowd show up as Kerry fans don't travel! Should be a bit more competitive than last years game.

Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 242 - 03/06/2025 16:56:23    2614640

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I personally think this is a huge opportunity for us and while no one in the national media is giving us and a chance I think there are a lot of areas that we can get at this Kerry team.

First of all the venue, it will feel like a home game for Meath. Kerry fans wont travel and I hope Meath fans do as it is only an hour and a bit down the road.

Secondly, Kerry will be without Paudie Clifford, Diarmuid O'Connor, Paul Geaney and Barry Dan O'Sullivan, obviously Paudie and Geaney are huge losses but the two other boys have been Kerry's first choice midfield partnership. I feel like we could really get on top of them in that area.

Of course Clifford is a generational freak and if he performs to his maximum it will be extremely difficult, but our lads are flying at the moment and should have no reason to fear this Kerry team.

contributingtoamelee (Meath) - Posts: 71 - 03/06/2025 22:20:59    2614682

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Not the most neutral of venues but we'll take it!

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2015 - 03/06/2025 23:53:39    2614712

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Have to go full strength too, altho unlikely, can't risk Roscommon reeling in the 14 points difference.

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 1002 - 04/06/2025 07:13:09    2614722

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Replying To Sheridan2010louth:  "Tullamore confirmed, hopefully a big Meath crowd show up as Kerry fans don't travel! Should be a bit more competitive than last years game."
Great venue for Meath given the travelling distances for both teams. Expect a great Meath crowd which will comprehensively outnumber the Kerry supporters. If Meath can learn from some of the shortcomings and maximise our strengths, this will be a close match. Kerry's strengths definitely in full forward line with one individual in particular but they are no world beaters elsewhere.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 668 - 04/06/2025 08:39:15    2614728

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The venue is great for us. It should be worth about 5 points to us compared to say Thurles. Considering that if we avoid a hiding we should come 2nd it's a good boost before the ball is thrown in.

Spoofer (Meath) - Posts: 53 - 04/06/2025 09:24:54    2614735

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Replying To contributingtoamelee:  "I personally think this is a huge opportunity for us and while no one in the national media is giving us and a chance I think there are a lot of areas that we can get at this Kerry team.

First of all the venue, it will feel like a home game for Meath. Kerry fans wont travel and I hope Meath fans do as it is only an hour and a bit down the road.

Secondly, Kerry will be without Paudie Clifford, Diarmuid O'Connor, Paul Geaney and Barry Dan O'Sullivan, obviously Paudie and Geaney are huge losses but the two other boys have been Kerry's first choice midfield partnership. I feel like we could really get on top of them in that area.

Of course Clifford is a generational freak and if he performs to his maximum it will be extremely difficult, but our lads are flying at the moment and should have no reason to fear this Kerry team."
Agree here but would probably have to surpass Dublin performance which I think this team is capable of. Meath are 8-1 and you are right national media have not bought into the potential here at all for an upset. I know alot of people thinking about second place and home draw but given the potential to meet a tough Derry/Galway in preliminary q final, this a a shot at direct root.
I think there will be plenty of upsets before year is out. How teams perform on the day is more important than ever and the lack of control on games has made it much more unpredictable.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 668 - 04/06/2025 12:02:33    2614786

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Replying To southmeathgael:  "Have to go full strength too, altho unlikely, can't risk Roscommon reeling in the 14 points difference."
We just have to lose by 7 and Roscommon win by 7 and that is possible. The spread is probably about that for us and hard to know which way Roscommon/Cork will go. I do feel we have a big performance in us like Dublin, but Kerry aren't going to take it easy here either as any slip up and we'll top the group so I could see them going full throttle early on so we'd need to be on our game. Defense needs to tighten up big time or Clifford will tear us a new one. Giving up goals at an alarming rate and even again Cork we were giving up chances.

NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 47 - 04/06/2025 13:43:31    2614834

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Good opportunity for us as a few have said, while I'm sure Kerry aren't looking past us, they have their eye on bigger prizes and have a lot of injuries.

Can see them going hard for 40/50 mins hoping that's enough to shake us off, so they can rotate for the final 20. And that's probably what will happen, so we just need to keep the score board ticking and stay in touch. Goals have killed us so far, so hopefully we tighten up a bit. Bookies have Kerry as 8 point favs so key we keep it well under that.

I think we'd be gutted to not get a home preliminary 1/4 final on the back of what we've done so far, and with Louth/Cavan as potential opponents, we've a good chance of making the last 8. But regardless who we play, a home game in Navan would be huge and we can beat anyone there.

Have a sneaky feeling Cork could sneak the other game, so score difference might not even matter. Roscommon look like they're ready for fresh management to come in and rebuild, while Cork are capable of a big performance. They're also very capable of taking a bit scalp, more so than Roscommon in my opinion. Cork are bookies favs too actually.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 22 - 04/06/2025 16:00:34    2614895

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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "Good opportunity for us as a few have said, while I'm sure Kerry aren't looking past us, they have their eye on bigger prizes and have a lot of injuries.

Can see them going hard for 40/50 mins hoping that's enough to shake us off, so they can rotate for the final 20. And that's probably what will happen, so we just need to keep the score board ticking and stay in touch. Goals have killed us so far, so hopefully we tighten up a bit. Bookies have Kerry as 8 point favs so key we keep it well under that.

I think we'd be gutted to not get a home preliminary 1/4 final on the back of what we've done so far, and with Louth/Cavan as potential opponents, we've a good chance of making the last 8. But regardless who we play, a home game in Navan would be huge and we can beat anyone there.

Have a sneaky feeling Cork could sneak the other game, so score difference might not even matter. Roscommon look like they're ready for fresh management to come in and rebuild, while Cork are capable of a big performance. They're also very capable of taking a bit scalp, more so than Roscommon in my opinion. Cork are bookies favs too actually."
We can't get Louth again, provincial finalists cannot draw each other.

contributingtoamelee (Meath) - Posts: 71 - 04/06/2025 16:26:09    2614905

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I would share most people's comments here.

Very fortunate to have this match in Tullamore. That should be a boost for players and supporters. Hopefully fans can get out and support the team.

The way Kerry are looking injury wise, a good number of their key players will be missing. Unlikely to see a big change to their team as they will want to get that QF and a break.

This for me is not a particularly good thing for Meath as there will be a squad of players killing each other to get hands on a Kerry jersey and make their mark.

Kerry are undefeated in the Championship and have put up some big big scores No doubt they will be looking to put 25 or so on the board.

It is vital that the game be managed and we keep driving to ensure the 2nd place in the group as a minimum. I wouldn't expect a win, we are not a 70 min team and turn off in too many areas throughout a game. But great heart could be taken from giving this match a good go like the Dublin game and if we come up a few scores short I'll take that.

We really can't depend to look at the other group game as Jekyll plays Hyde - Cork could either win or get demolished. It would be extremely disappointing to end up 3rd after the character which has been shown over the last 2 games.

Rest the bodies, work on the individual match ups, get some plays together and most of all look forward to the occasion. The remainder of the season is about team building, resilience and confidence.

Royalio11 (Meath) - Posts: 798 - 04/06/2025 18:55:32    2614932

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We go to Tullamore with nothing to loose against a kerry team that a poor Cork team has matched for over 120 minutes in championship football.
Cork opened them up in both games they have struggled at the back . Brennan will need to put the best man available on Clifford and hope he has an off day .
Kerry have a lot of injuries and I doubt they will be rushed back so if Meath can play for 70 minutes and Kerry play like they have at times against Cork we are not an 8/1 chance .
I don't expect to win but i see us giving it a good go .

mmc (Meath) - Posts: 305 - 04/06/2025 22:46:31    2614962

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Things are going very well. Excellent first year for the management despite the two coaches walking away. A young team that seems to keep getting better, this is what progress looks like. Kerry have a few injuries so hopefully have a good crack at them and work on the concession of soft goals which has been our Achilles heel. Great to be excited by a Meath senior team again

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1569 - 05/06/2025 17:33:22    2615172

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Replying To mmc:  "We go to Tullamore with nothing to loose against a kerry team that a poor Cork team has matched for over 120 minutes in championship football.
Cork opened them up in both games they have struggled at the back . Brennan will need to put the best man available on Clifford and hope he has an off day .
Kerry have a lot of injuries and I doubt they will be rushed back so if Meath can play for 70 minutes and Kerry play like they have at times against Cork we are not an 8/1 chance .
I don't expect to win but i see us giving it a good go ."
Think its less about the best man on clifford but more about stopping the ball going into Clifford in the first instance. Its clear Kerrys plan to kick to Clifford as soon as they have possession, our forwards will need to be at their defensive best to cut the quick transition.

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1826 - 07/06/2025 09:13:06    2615451

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Replying To bert09:  "Think its less about the best man on clifford but more about stopping the ball going into Clifford in the first instance. Its clear Kerrys plan to kick to Clifford as soon as they have possession, our forwards will need to be at their defensive best to cut the quick transition."
Exactly. Looking at many of the matches with the exception of Derry and Galway, tackling and blocking is quite passive out the field. For Meath it will be critical to stop that direct kick into Clifford. Kerry more than any other team look to use the full forward line as much as possible. I wonder for this match, should we be considering playing Keoghan in back three. We have other good options for wing back and may be best strengthen here. Understood later part of league we struggled in half backline stopping two pointers but Kerry don't necessarily play around arc too much and look to get it in. We need to stop the goals which is main threat from Kerry. If we match them physically all over field, I think it'll be a right good contest and could be very intesting if match is close going into last ten. Last year was a non event in Navan, conceding kickouts and trying to defend in numbers. We didn't defend at all well even in numbers. This year we have to use the ball well and defend for our lives with less numbers.
Any update on injuries, how is Jack Flynn? Jones obviously out for remainder of year with hamstring op.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 668 - 07/06/2025 11:06:43    2615461

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