Meath GAA discussion thread

dobman88 · 27-10-2019 03:40PM

This is a cracking match. Quick, open, attacking football. Ratoath more organised defensively and more ideas going forward. Some bad wides for Summerhill. Would expect Ratoath to see it out based on that first half.

dobman88 · 27-10-2019 05:31PM

That was some match. I think that's the best game I was at all year tbh. And I include 2 all Ireland finals in that. 2 teams just going at it with fast attacking free flowing football, proper tackles and ferocious defending. Hugely impressed with Ratoath. Best team all over the pitch imo and fully deserving winners.

One player that stood out for me was Joey Wallace. Kicked some unreal scores 1st half and then ran the show 2nd half when he came out around midfield. Surely has to be close to the county panel next year?

mattser · 27-10-2019 05:48PM

Congrats Hammer. Enjoy the celebrations. Hard luck to Summerhill.

Obrieski · 28-10-2019 01:48AM

YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!

A day I never thought I would see. Not a huge long time ago I was playing on Ratoath teams that were in division 3/4 underage and not able to field enough players. Incredible testament to the huge amounts of work being put in at underage levels by players, parents and coaches.
Pity I'm currently abroad but from the images and videos from home I've seen, the whole village seems to have bought into it...the celebrations will be fierce and long!

Rath To abu!!

windy shepard henderson · 28-10-2019 01:54AM

Well done lads great story, and mighty succes over a short period of time ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘

Hammer Archer · 28-10-2019 08:51AM

Absolutely incredible performance. Can't believe we're senior champions. Less than 10 years ago we were failing to get out of the Junior championship group stages. Hats off to all the players. Hats off to Davy Byrne who seems to have added something extra this year.

Feared the worst after conceding the early goal but they showed great maturity not to let the heads drop. They had a bit of a blip early in the second half but were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over and kill any momentum that Summerhill had.

Some people will say that it's the population increase but they'd be ignoring the huge amount of work that's gone on behind the scenes. There are underage coaches who have been there for around 30 years at the club. They coached me as a juvenile and they're still doing it today. Pretty much the entire squad today (bar Duffy and O Fearraigh) were coached underage by these guys.

Onto Leinster now against Garrycastle. I hope we can give it a lash as it's been way too long since a Meath team has made an impact in Leinster.

Commiserations to Summerhill. Can't be easy to lose three finals in a row but you don't make it to three finals in a row if you're not an excellent team. They were just second best on the day. Wouldn't bet against them next year.

Hammer Archer · 28-10-2019 09:05AM

dobman88 wrote: »

That was some match. I think that's the best game I was at all year tbh. And I include 2 all Ireland finals in that. 2 teams just going at it with fast attacking free flowing football, proper tackles and ferocious defending. Hugely impressed with Ratoath. Best team all over the pitch imo and fully deserving winners.

One player that stood out for me was Joey Wallace. Kicked some unreal scores 1st half and then ran the show 2nd half when he came out around midfield. Surely has to be close to the county panel next year?

It was the best senior final I can remember seeing. The last number of them have been damp squibs. For Summerhill, 2-13 would have won all but two finals since the turn of the century. I know 1-2 of that was scored in injury time but they still played their part in an entertaining final.

Joey is an incredibly skillful player. He took a break from football this year and only came back to the squad after the summer. Seems to have done him the world of good. Overall, the forward line we have is frightening when they're in form.

sc86 · 29-10-2019 10:07AM

Congrats to ratoath !

Surprised at the poor turnout for a meath senior football final , with 2 big clubs involved
Hurling final wasnt a million miles away from same numbers which is crazy!

10k at 2003 final , how times have changed
I would think the price and standard of recent finals has put off many neutral people

Technophobe · 29-10-2019 01:56PM

Was some open final alright and congrats to Ratoath...

Tough for the Hill losing 3 in a row and double disappointment as the minors lost narrowly too:(

LeoB · 29-10-2019 07:07PM

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Absolutely incredible performance. Can't believe we're senior champions. Less than 10 years ago we were failing to get out of the Junior championship group stages. Hats off to all the players. Hats off to Davy Byrne who seems to have added something extra this year.

Feared the worst after conceding the early goal but they showed great maturity not to let the heads drop. They had a bit of a blip early in the second half but were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over and kill any momentum that Summerhill had.

Some people will say that it's the population increase but they'd be ignoring the huge amount of work that's gone on behind the scenes. There are underage coaches who have been there for around 30 years at the club. They coached me as a juvenile and they're still doing it today. Pretty much the entire squad today (bar Duffy and O Fearraigh) were coached underage by these guys.

Onto Leinster now against Garrycastle. I hope we can give it a lash as it's been way too long since a Meath team has made an impact in Leinster.

Commiserations to Summerhill. Can't be easy to lose three finals in a row but you don't make it to three finals in a row if you're not an excellent team. They were just second best on the day. Wouldn't bet against them next year.

Population means nothing if youdont have a structure in place. If you dont have itright at juvenile level, especially from 12 to18 it is unlikely you will get to far. I have seen Rathoath from afar but this was on the cards because they are doing things well.

It is also vital now that they work harder now at juvenile level as once you reach the top there will be loads trying to knock them off the perch.

Well done to all involved

vapor trails · 30-10-2019 08:17PM

sc86 wrote: »

Congrats to ratoath !

Surprised at the poor turnout for a meath senior football final , with 2 big clubs involved
Hurling final wasnt a million miles away from same numbers which is crazy!

10k at 2003 final , how times have changed
I would think the price and standard of recent finals has put off many neutral people

I was going to ask was there much of a show of support from the Dubs living in Ratoath but I suppose the poor turnout tells me there wasn't much of a buy in from the new populace.

Littlehorny · 31-10-2019 06:36AM

Clann na nGael won the Junior final last night in Ashbourne 3-08 to 1-09.
Clann led from start to finish playing with a strong enough breeze in the first half. They are very young and Moyleigh just didn't have the legs to keep with them.

Hammer Archer · 31-10-2019 09:45AM

Very good year for Clan na nGael in both football and hurling. Some of their players are going to have a busy month or so if they progress in Leinster in both codes.

vapor trails wrote: »

I was going to ask was there much of a show of support from the Dubs living in Ratoath but I suppose the poor turnout tells me there wasn't much of a buy in from the new populace.

To be fair, lots of the newer people would be helping to coach the underage sides but wouldn't necessarily have much interest in the adult teams.
And sure our manager is a Dub and he's helped us win two junior championships and now a senior championship.
The fact that the final was on a bank holiday weekend and coincided with the Dublin Marathon would undoubtedly have had an effect as well.
The final in 2003 was a bit unique in that in contained two sides that had never even been in a senior final before. I don't think there were as many Summerhill supporters there on Sunday either given that it was their third final in a row.

Tombo2001 · 31-10-2019 10:57AM

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Very good year for Clan na nGael in both football and hurling. Some of their players are going to have a busy month or so if they progress in Leinster in both codes.

To be fair, lots of the newer people would be helping to coach the underage sides but wouldn't necessarily have much interest in the adult teams.
And sure our manager is a Dub and he's helped us win two junior championships and now a senior championship.
The fact that the final was on a bank holiday weekend and coincided with the Dublin Marathon would undoubtedly have had an effect as well.
The final in 2003 was a bit unique in that in contained two sides that had never even been in a senior final before. I don't think there were as many Summerhill supporters there on Sunday either given that it was their third final in a row.

That's a really interesting point for gaa clubs.

As we see more and more really large clubs in GAA, right around the country but in Dublin and its commuter belt especially - that each year in underage becomes a mini club in its own right. You'll have say 2009 boys, and there will be 70 to 100 kids in the group, maybe 12 or 15 mentors. They are out training twice a week, playing games on Saturday or Sunday.

Its a whole little bubble in its own right - that is completely unconnected to what is going on elsewhere in the club.

sc86 · 31-10-2019 02:56PM

Hammer Archer wrote: »

The fact that the final was on a bank holiday weekend and coincided with the Dublin Marathon would undoubtedly have had an effect as well.
The final in 2003 was a bit unique in that in contained two sides that had never even been in a senior final before. I don't think there were as many Summerhill supporters there on Sunday either given that it was their third final in a row.

not sure they are valid excuses to justify the poor turnout ,it does surprise me how poorly ratoath games are attended in both codes with the huge numbers playing gaa in the area and how well the club is going.
It was ratoaths first senior final in decades and summerhill is a big football area.
4000 was very very poor but the ticket prices have a huge part to play aswell as general lack of interest from joe soap in the county.

Hammer Archer · 01-11-2019 08:57AM

sc86 wrote: »

not sure they are valid excuses to justify the poor turnout ,it does surprise me how poorly ratoath games are attended in both codes with the huge numbers playing gaa in the area and how well the club is going.
It was ratoaths first senior final in decades and summerhill is a big football area.
4000 was very very poor but the ticket prices have a huge part to play aswell as general lack of interest from joe soap in the county.

But it's the case in more built up areas. People generally don't care much about the adult GAA teams. People would be involved at underage when their kids are involved but they've no connection with the adult side.
The Dublin semi finals double header at the weekend probably had around 1000 people at it and you had teams from Stillorgan, Tallaght, Ballyboden and Tempelogue competing.

Hammer Archer · 01-11-2019 11:38AM

Jack Regan has been named player of the Christy Ring Cup.
Along with him, Seán Geraghty and Keith Keoghan have been named on the Champion 15 team.

sc86 · 01-11-2019 05:48PM

Hammer Archer wrote: »

But it's the case in more built up areas. People generally don't care much about the adult GAA teams. People would be involved at underage when their kids are involved but they've no connection with the adult side.
The Dublin semi finals double header at the weekend probably had around 1000 people at it and you had teams from Stillorgan, Tallaght, Ballyboden and Tempelogue competing.

Yes the dublin thing is baffling , and yet you cant get a ticket for county games at times

Hammer Archer · 02-11-2019 10:39PM

Not a good day for our club hurling teams. Kildalkey beaten by Offaly Senior B champions Seir Kieran 1-18 to 0-11 in the Leinster Intermediate hurling championship.
Clann na nGael beaten in the Leinster JHC quarter final 4-9 to 1-10 by Westmeath intermediate champions Cullion.

Na Fianna beat St. Pat's 1-10 to 0-12 in the Junior 2 hurling final thanks to a goal with 2 minutes of normal time remaining.

rpurfield · 04-11-2019 10:37AM

I missed the finals as I was away but I was delighted for Ratoath. Great to see a new name on the cup. Hopefully they give Leinster a good rattle now, I think they've the depth for it. Instead of quoting a load of posts, I'd echo Hammer's sentiment about the good set up over there. I've been over a few Saturday mornings when we'd have them in Go Games the last few years and there are serious numbers playing, but the support set up is as good. Even down to people laying on the tea and sambo's. I'd imagine it will kick on again now with the adult success it normally does.

I'd also agree with the point about people new into an area not buying into the adult teams although their kids play or they coach kids teams themselves. I've been saying it the last few years that the Pats here are like three clubs at the minute, underage, adult and ladies. It's hard to bring all that together especially when people are so busy. I don't coach myself but I can find it hard to justify getting down for an A league or championship game when I've been stood watching the young lad two or three times a week if you include training.

It's been a cracking year for Clann na nGael too. Surely they're in the running for club of the year? Some achievement to win two championships with a cross over of dual players like that. Also delighted for Nobber, from what I heard Brian Farrell is rolling back the years.

Hammer Archer · 04-11-2019 11:40AM

Another good prospect lost to the Aussies as Cian McBride has been signed by Essendon.

dixiefly · 04-11-2019 07:38PM

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Another good prospect lost to the Aussies as Cian McBride has been signed by Essendon.

Yes, it is something as a county we will have to live with especially as a consequence of our underage structures getting better.

Hopefully we will get more and better players through and that Cian and Conor Nash become only afterthoughts in Meath GAA players and supporters minds.

Dickie10 · 06-11-2019 09:55PM

or maybe nash and mcbride will not make it in oz and be back with all that strength and conditioning to be a decent midfield duo for meath in 2 or 3 years

Hammer Archer · 07-11-2019 08:53AM

Whatever about McBride, by all accounts Nash is doing very well at Hawthorn. And chances are, even if he did leave Australia, he'd probably be more likely to get into rugby than football.
Looking it up, it's a nice earner for a young player. Minimum $80000 per year, free car and rent for two years and three free return flights between Ireland and Australia per year for him and his parents. Honestly, if it's offered to you in your late teens, why wouldn't you take it?

Stationmaster · 07-11-2019 09:47AM

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Whatever about McBride, by all accounts Nash is doing very well at Hawthorn. And chances are, even if he did leave Australia, he'd probably be more likely to get into rugby than football.
Looking it up, it's a nice earner for a young player. Minimum $80000 per year, free car and rent for two years and three free return flights between Ireland and Australia per year for him and his parents. Honestly, if it's offered to you in your late teens, why wouldn't you take it?

Do they get that much in their first year? Very hard to turn it down if you're a young lad.

rpurfield · 07-11-2019 09:56AM

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Whatever about McBride, by all accounts Nash is doing very well at Hawthorn. And chances are, even if he did leave Australia, he'd probably be more likely to get into rugby than football.
Looking it up, it's a nice earner for a young player. Minimum $80000 per year, free car and rent for two years and three free return flights between Ireland and Australia per year for him and his parents. Honestly, if it's offered to you in your late teens, why wouldn't you take it?

I read and listened to a few interviews with Conor Nash when he went over there first and the only conclusion I took from it was football was just something he took up because a lot of his mates played. He definitely came across as being more into rugby and I'd agree if he hadn't gone to Australia he would've gone the rugby road. I don't think we would ever have seen him line out with the Meath Seniors.

I don't blame any young lad for heading down there to give it a lash. You'd only regret it if you didn't. Especially if you are from a Leinster county (at least in other provinces you might have a shot of a provincal title), with everyone being miles off the Dubs it's not much of a choice between slogging all winter to win sod all or getting paid to play!

Hammer Archer · 07-11-2019 01:29PM

Stationmaster wrote: »

Do they get that much in their first year? Very hard to turn it down if you're a young lad.

Yep. Tadgh Kennelly's interview is from 4 years ago but I think it's pretty much the same. I've heard some people criticise younger players for making the switch, but unless you're playing for Dublin or perhaps Kerry, the choice between earning a huge amount as a teenager (which has the potential of becoming astronomical if you make it) and living in Australia and playing football for nothing in Ireland would be an easy one.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-28/truck-of-the-irish-takeover-continues-with-record-number
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/gaa/the-salary-of-an-afl-player-is-pretty-nice-and-the-irish-are-being-well-looked-after-21483

dixiefly · 07-11-2019 09:02PM

I agree with the above and if it was my son I would be advising him to go and take advantage.

But I care absolutely zilch about how he gets on as I have no interest in that sport just as the average Aussie rules supporter has zero interest in our games. Just like I lost interest in Meath prospects that gave up and went on to play rugby.

I am much more interested in the progress and development of players like Shane Walsh, Joey Wallace, Jordan Morris, Aaron Lynch, James Conlon etc.

Boom__Boom · 08-11-2019 07:50PM

Stationmaster wrote: »

Do they get that much in their first year? Very hard to turn it down if you're a young lad.

Someone posted the ins and out of the various deals on the Kerry forum last year. The Aussie Dollar exchange rate to the Euro is 1.61 today so the deal is slightly worse in terms of Euros. Given the deals on offer I don't think there will be any change in terms of Irish lads heading over any time soon. I'm nearly sure there is a Combine in DCU either this weekend or next - Ruane the Mayo midfielder is supposed to be going to the combine.

The reason that the number of Irish going the Aussie Rules route has increased the last while looks to be due to the fact that the salaries at all levels have increased dramatically in the last few years.

The rules were tweaked a bit so that international rookies salaries don't count towards the team's salary cap, which made it a more attractive for clubs to sign international rookies.

The AFL negotiates a collective bargaining agreement with the Aussie Rules Players Union and these agreements are easily available.

The following are the minimum rookie salaries as agreed in the collective bargaining agreements.

These are in Australian dollars

2012 41,400
2013 49,200
2014 53,825
2015 56,275
2016 57,940
2017 71,500
2018 75,000
2019 75,000
2020 80,000
2021 80,000
2022 85,000

Using today's exchange rate of 1.5447 the table would look like the following in Euros.

2012 €26,801
2013 €31,850
2014 €34,844
2015 €35,890
2016 €36,965
2017 €46,287
2018 €48,553
2019 €48,553
2020 €51,789
2021 €51,789
2022 €55,026

Clear to see that the salaries have gone up significantly.

Two big things to remember
1) the base salary is only part of the pie
2) these are the absolute minimums that the worst-paid are getting. Once you go past the rookie stage, the salaries on offer jump up significantly.

For any of the rookies who signed recently and are starting in 2019 they will all have a two year contract.

They will receive

All relocation costs and "Player and Parents Travel" - basically whatever it costs to move out including flights.

They also get "Reimbursement for the cost of any household item reasonably required by the Player in setting up living arrangements as a result of being relocated " up to the amount of $6,515 (or €4,218)

They also get "Living allowance based on actual costs up to the following limit, excluding FBT which is to be borne by the AFL Club" FBT is tax so this looks like it is tax free.

2018 $10,686 (€6,918)
2019 $10,900 (€7,056)

I'd imagine that this is mainly for rent, food, clothes, transport - basically €14k to cover that for the two years.

From my reading, it also looks like each player is entitled to four return economy flights per year.

The collective bargaining agreement also makes reference to pensions - not sure exactly how much if anything this is worth but the AFL must pay €15 million (€9.7 million per year) to fund these.

AFL teams must provide "top-level" health insurance to players, there's also payments if a player is on the injured list.

If a rookie player makes appearances for the senior team they also get guaranteed match fees - I think Mark O'Connor would have pocketed an extra $12,000 (€7,768) for his 6 appearances with the first team this year.

There's also other bits and pieces - free tickets to games including Grand Finals, anything that's needed for training covered by the club, there's a whole weird section covering players getting paid for signing memorabilia, bonuses for best and fairest, bonuses for getting to the final four, but those are less relevant as regards lads who just go and do the initial 2 year contract.

Any of the lads who are starting in 2019, do a two-year stint and don't even play for the seniors will get

Salary 2019 $75,000 €48,553
Salary 2020 $80,000 €51,790
Salary Total $155,000 €100,343

They also get
Relocation Costs - all covered
Setting Up Living Cost $6,515 €4,218

Living Allowance 2019 $10,686 €6,918
Living Allowance 2020 $10,900 €7,056
Total living Allowance $21,586 €13,974

8 economy return flights to Ireland

Plus other bits and bobs.

If people don't think that's an attractive option for lads of 19/20, I don't know what to say.

Once a player goes past the rookie stage (basically past the first 2 years) i.e. like Mark O'Connor the absolute minimum they can make in base salary in 2019 is $105,000 (€67,979) However I'd imagine this is very much the lowest possible starting point for negotiations.

9 players made more than $1,000,000 (€647,375) in 2017 with 2 players earning more than $1.2 million (€776,850) and the average salary in 2017 was $352,470 (€228,180) More than half of the AFL's players earned between $200,000(€129,475) and $500,000 (€323,687) 135 players earned more than $500,000 (€323,687) It's clear there is a significant amount of money on offer if a player does "make it".

Agreement 2017-2022

www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-22/player-payments-revealed-millionaires-on-the-up

Hammer Archer · 09-11-2019 04:34PM

Nobber beaten by Dunlavin in the Leinster Intermediate Club football championship.
Clann na nGael are through to the Leinster junior club football championship semi final after beating Ballynacargy of Westmeath by 5 points.
Hoping for a second Meath victory over Westmeath opposition tomorrow when Ratoath play Garrycastle.

Meath GAA discussion thread

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