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Meath GAA discussion thread

Hammer Archer

Well Galway has a thread, Mayo has one, even Cavan has one so why not us?

Two one point defeats in a row means we're back into relegation trouble especially if we lose to Derry next week. Having said that, beat Derry next week and promotion is still a (remote) possibility. Joe Sheridan leaving for the States certainly isn't going to help.
Thought the performance yesterday was easily the worst of the league. Our away form is killing us still.

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dobman88

The Golden Miller wrote: »

Meath's division 1 experience has done them the world of good it seems! Utter rubbish on display

Would love to know what county you support and what has contributed to your hatred of Meath.

mystic86

Andy McEntee is a very angry man, always comes across pretty toxic. Hardly seems like the right qualities in a manager.

Hammer Archer

dobman88 wrote: »

Would love to know what county you support and what has contributed to your hatred of Meath.

Meath, supposedly. According to that poster, the only thing standing between us and beating Dublin is belief and fight....

While McEntee did get us to division 1 and the last 8, we just seem to have regressed over the last two seasons. I could have overlooked last season's league campaign had we managed to bounce straight back up. But yesterday was basically our final for the season and the performance fell way short of what was needed. He possibly does deserve another season with a crowd behind the team, but he'll be 5 years in the job by the end of the season and I simply cannot see how much further along than when he got the job.

I see there's been an allegation of spitting before the brawl at the end of the game. There's little that can be done if it wasn't witnessed, but it would explain the reaction. I cannot remember Conor McGill ever getting a straight red either for Meath or Ratoath.

CrabRevolution

I wouldn't say we've regressed, moreso plateaued.

Getting to division one and QF group stages is a nice achievement, but they're effectively an audition to see if your capable of playing at that level and we fell hopelessly short. We can't honestly say we were playing a top 8 level of football.

Luck can also play a part. In 2019 we were all delighted to get Clare in the 4th round qualifier to reach the QFs, because the alternative was Tyrone or Mayo and a far more difficult path to the QFs. It fell the other way this year; a few more or fewer points in the other league group this year would have seen Clare finish top and the semi final would have been Meath vs. Clare in Navan. I'd have been very confident in Meath winning that, and we would be called a top 8 team, mixing it with the best etc. but in reality we'd be no better or worse than we are today after losing to Kildare.

rpurfield

dobman88 wrote: »

Would love to know what county you support and what has contributed to your hatred of Meath.

You need to concentrate on the times of the posts not the county of origin

dobman88

rpurfield wrote: »

You need to concentrate on the times of the posts not the county of origin

What's significant about 3.30pm? Or 3.23pm which is the one I replied to. Game was almost over at that stage anyway

rpurfield

CrabRevolution wrote: »

I wouldn't say we've regressed, moreso plateaued.

Getting to division one and QF group stages is a nice achievement, but they're effectively an audition to see if your capable of playing at that level and we fell hopelessly short. We can't honestly say we were playing a top 8 level of football.

Luck can also play a part. In 2019 we were all delighted to get Clare in the 4th round qualifier to reach the QFs, because the alternative was Tyrone or Mayo and a far more difficult path to the QFs. It fell the other way this year; a few more or fewer points in the other league group this year would have seen Clare finish top and the semi final would have been Meath vs. Clare in Navan. I'd have been very confident in Meath winning that, and we would be called a top 8 team, mixing it with the best etc. but in reality we'd be no better or worse than we are today after losing to Kildare.

I think all of that is a fair assessment. Going into the game I thought it was a 50-50 match anyway. Looking at the championship game last winter and the relative form of Meath I was hopeful. It's just gut wrenching that a lot of times when there's a big game where this side is on an equal footing or better than the opposition they don't perform. Off the top of my head I'm thinking the last two Leinster finals (not the result the performance) yesterday, Longford in 2018.

I don't know if its a case that having not been regularly winning big games at minor and 20s the know how isn't there at the higher level. As usual after the game people are pointing the finger at management and looking for a change, but will that instill the consistent performance in the team all of a sudden.

This isn't soccer where a big name manager a hundred million solves your problem. Changing the manager isn't necessarily the answer. They aren't going to suddenly make the lads world beaters. We've done the square root of sod all for 20 years and we are where we are. I don't know what the answer is but it certainly isn't as simple as a lack of belief, lads being soft or bringing a new backroom team.

Dickie10

i wouldnt agree we have done nothing for 20 years. If other 20 counties won a provincial title , got to two all ireland semi finals and gave dublin an 11 point beating in a leinster semi final it would go down on their history as well as being in 2 minor all ireland finals and winnin 3 leinster minor titles. is this not nearly enough? we have been consistent decent div 2 outfit the last 20 years i would have thought. theres a good 14 counties wont ever achieve the above.

rpurfield

Dickie10 wrote: »

i wouldnt agree we have done nothing for 20 years. If other 20 counties won a provincial title , got to two all ireland semi finals and gave dublin an 11 point beating in a leinster semi final it would go down on their history as well as being in 2 minor all ireland finals and winnin 3 leinster minor titles. is this not nearly enough? we have been consistent decent div 2 outfit the last 20 years i would have thought. theres a good 14 counties wont ever achieve the above.

Maybe I am being harsh but I mean it in terms of being back at the very top table. The gaps between them minor Leinster's are significant and a lot of other years we were fairly poor at the grade. Yes we have done a good bit in the last 20 years but before that we were winning All Irelands and Leinsters to beat the band for a good 15 years!

Dickie10

rpurfield wrote: »

Maybe I am being harsh but I mean it in terms of being back at the very top table. The gaps between them minor Leinster's are significant and a lot of other years we were fairly poor at the grade. Yes we have done a good bit in the last 20 years but before that we were winning All Irelands and Leinsters to beat the band for a good 15 years!

ah thats golden generation stuff all counties have that, tyrone prob wont ever win another all ireland in next 30 years, probably only kerry and dublin will win all irelands in the next decade Meath and Kildare because of their demographics and very little soccer and rugby will be in a great position once they get their house in order. Donegal and Mayo might not be close to an all ireland for 30 years again. Cork have too many other sports to contend with as do Galway, maybe Down and Antrim if enough money is put into them. We are in a great position as a county if only we get structures right and keep the money flowing in from GAA, we need to get the GAA to make us a minature dublin, which i think there begining to do now and in kildare as well. I think a lot of Leinster counties should actually pull out of the Leinster championship this year and just get starting their club championship, maybe as a form of protest.

vapor trails

I think we are short on quality. If you were picking a squad of the best 30 players (2 in each position) in the country it would be very possible that no Meath players would get in it. We are a solid 7/10 in most position but the teams we are playing against have that as a base level with a couple of 8's & 9's in there too. Obviously, we've lost a few gems abroad but I think most counties suffer from that. I kind of agree with Dickie10 in that the numbers game means we should produce some quality at some stage. It's just been a very barren run of talent coming through and even with bad structures in place that will address itself. Not a great way to be saying that there is no intrinsic Meath greatness that seems to bring talent through year after year like a Kerry.

Hammer Archer

When was the last time we won any game against Kildare in Newbridge? I know we haven't played them a lot there but every memory I have of a game there, be it league or even O'Byrne Cup. we've lost.

Anyway, club championship draws will take place this Sunday at 3pm.

Cavan_King

Trouble in Meath lads….

https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2021/06/18/flynn-resigns-as-meath-u-20-football-manager/

enricoh

Ugh, I'd nearly take a hockeying in Leinster n a change in manager.
We had a class act in Donal lenihan left on the bench for the first couple of matches who walked away. Other lads doing sod all n still starting, hard to blame him.

Hammer Archer

SFC draw
Group A
Navan O'Mahonys v Donaghmore/Ashbourne
Ratoath v Dunshaughlin

Group B
Curraha v Na Fianna
St. Colmcilles v Ballinabrackey

Group C
Gaeil Colmcille v Wolfe Tones
Simonstown Gaels v Moynalvey

Group D
Seneschalstown v Summerhill
Skryne v St. Peter's Dunboyne

Jaysus, group A is a doozy.

Hammer Archer

IFC
Group A
St. Patrick's
Blackhall Gaels
Nobber
Bective

Group B
Trim
Clann na nGael
Longwood
Moylagh

Group C
Syddan
Walterstown
Oldcastle
Meath Hill

Group D
Ballivor
Drumbaragh
Kilmainham
Duleek/Bellewstown

Group E
St. Michael's
Ballinlough
Dunderry
Rathkenny

JFC
Group A
Castletown
Kilbride
St. Vincent's
Cortown

Group B
Carnaross
St. Brigid's
Boardsmill
Kilmainhamwood

Group C
Slane
Moynalty
Dunsany
St. Ultans

Felexicon

Hammer Archer wrote: »

SFC draw
Group A
Navan O'Mahonys v Donaghmore/Ashbourne
Ratoath v Dunshaughlin

Group B
Curraha v Na Fianna
St. Colmcilles v Ballinabrackey

Group C
Gaeil Colmcille v Wolfe Tones
Simonstown Gaels v Moynalvey

Group D
Seneschalstown v Summerhill
Skryne v St. Peter's Dunboyne

Jaysus, group A is a doozy.

Just hook Group A straight to my veins!!!!

That's the tonic you need for the return of championship football

rpurfield

That IFC group A hasn't been kind to us anyway. It looks like Blackhall are finally getting their act together and Nobber are decent. Bective won't be any slouches either.

Editing this to ask is there a JFC group missing.

dobman88

As a blow in to Meath, I was delighted to win Premier 8 with DonAsh today. Some years of good work put into that side of the club came to fruition today. Beating a very good Navan side 3-9 to 1-8. Only disappointing aspect was the Navan fans booing us after while we went to collect the cup at Junior D level :pac:

GET IN THERE.

Hammer Archer

rpurfield wrote: »

That IFC group A hasn't been kind to us anyway. It looks like Blackhall are finally getting their act together and Nobber are decent. Bective won't be any slouches either.

Editing this to ask is there a JFC group missing.

Drumconrath, St. Mary's and Clonard, it seems, are now in the Premier championship (all in division 3). Presumably after being uncompetitive in the JFC for the last few years. It's worrying the number of clubs that seem to be going a similar direction to St. Paul's. Clonard especially were relatively competitive in Junior A up until recently (with Flanagan a regular with Meath).

Ratoath and Trim are playing in the first round of the 2021 hurling championship, probably only a week or two after playing in the 2020 hurling final.

rpurfield

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Drumconrath, St. Mary's and Clonard, it seems, are now in the Premier championship (all in division 3). Presumably after being uncompetitive in the JFC for the last few years. It's worrying the number of clubs that seem to be going a similar direction to St. Paul's. Clonard especially were relatively competitive in Junior A up until recently (with Flanagan a regular with Meath).

Ratoath and Trim are playing in the first round of the 2021 hurling championship, probably only a week or two after playing in the 2020 hurling final.

Clonard and Mary's are doing savage work at underage and I think if they can hang in there there will be better days ahead. I don't know where Drumconrath are at in that regard. I was listening to We Are Meath earlier and they mentioned the regrading. They were also saying when three go down to Junior from the IFC this year the junior then splits into Junior 1 and 2. It seems the 1 will be the three relegated plus the 7 that got out of this years JFC groups and the 2 is the other 10 to include Pauls Clonard and Marys. Of them all I'd be most concerned for Pauls. They're squeezed in between some massive clubs so I assume young lads coming through are non existent.

Hammer Archer

Callaghan and Kelly taking over from Flynn with the U20s. It seems that the county board are taking the "nothing to see here" approach.
It's hard to see how McEntee's position is tenable after this season after this debacle.

CrabRevolution

It's a bit of a disaster alright. But I'm surprised it took this long.

McEntee has been a good appointment in team performance terms, but it's clear he has a hard headed approach to things. Now you could say this is a good thing for a manager to have but it has often boiled over to unacceptable behaviour. There's a handful of his actions ranging from simply not allowing players to play with their clubs to more serious incidents where he has abused referees, journalists etc. and the supporters have simply rowed in behind him. The county board have either done the same or stayed silent.

It was only a matter of time before he'd clash with someone who wouldn't take it and would end up embarrassing the county board.

I'm not sure if it was ever an official policy but it certainly puts paid to the McEntee-Flynn succession plan I've seen mentioned a lot.

rpurfield

I think the succession was more about the managers coming in behind Flynn to the 20s. If anything it makes inherent sense to leave a management team with a group of players through age grades. I don't think it should have took a specific manager coming in and making it part of him coming on board to bring it in.

I'm sort of on the fence about the whole thing, if the U20 ran when it should have it would've been no issue. Maybe if the game in Newbridge wasn't so detrimental in terms of losing players it may not have been an issue. But on the other hand a successful championship this year will be avoiding Dublin as long as possible and when we do meet them hoping it lasts longer than the 15 minutes or so the Leinster final took last year. Maybe this was the year to have a really good crack at the U20 and bring lads along with a bit of confidence.

dixiefly

Does anyone know the exact reason for Flynn pulling the plug?

Were Hickey and Costello being pulled for under 20 Championship games or was Andy refusing to release them for training sessions / challenge games?

Hammer Archer

Well done to the ladies, winning the division 2 title. They hammered Kerry 2-16 to 1-9 and are back in division 1 for the first time in 7 years next year.

rpurfield

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Well done to the ladies, winning the division 2 title. They hammered Kerry 2-16 to 1-9 and are back in division 1 for the first time in 7 years next year.

I was seriously impressed with them yesterday now, it was a great display. They have a tough group in the championship but I think they are good enough to at least consolidate their position this year.

sheroman01

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Drumconrath, St. Mary's and Clonard, it seems, are now in the Premier championship (all in division 3). Presumably after being uncompetitive in the JFC for the last few years. It's worrying the number of clubs that seem to be going a similar direction to St. Paul's. Clonard especially were relatively competitive in Junior A up until recently (with Flanagan a regular with Meath).

Can't help but feel the amalgamation of Junior A and B is part of the cause of this. I found that a ridiculous move. Teams in Junior B getting promoted without doing or winning anything, and numerous teams with no chance of ever winning a Junior championship.

Thankfully there is a Junior 1 and 2 next year. I think that'll improve things and make things more competitive for the stronger and struggling teams.

Hammer Archer

Longford it is in Navan next Sunday. Honestly, not very confident especially with McGill suspended.

Felexicon

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Longford it is in Navan next Sunday. Honestly, not very confident especially with McGill suspended.

If McGill is the difference between us beating Longford or not we may pack up and leave the lads off for the summer.