Meath GAA discussion thread

He won an all Ireland in which if Donegal hadn’t of beaten Dublin in the semi. Dublin of this time would of beaten a colm copper less Kerry team by a 16 point winning margin. And donaghys statement to Joe brolly would of been a whole lot different

I can’t take another 2 weeks of these copy and paste comments.

We get it. You love Eamon Fitzmaurice.

In fairness to you sonny you have a seriously impressive knowledge of all things gaa I have to say. One thing you reminded me of is of fitzmaurice bringing on his brother in law ie galvin in an all Ireland when he hadn’t played all year and they were chasing the game v Dublin Galvin was a defender and finished at that point. One of the worst managerial decisions I have ever seen in a game of football

One part of this intrigued me: on what basis do you feel McDermott’s management of Clare was poor? I’ve always been told he was highly regarded in the county and started the work Collins continued. He got them to the Munster Final in 2012 for example.

To be honest, a few weeks ago you were posting on this and other threads that Malachy O’Rourke would be next Meath manager, I questioned you that I couldn’t see him taking it. You didn’t reply.

Now all your focus has gone full tilt to Fitzmaurice. He has a nice gig with RTÉ and I think the Meath job will be a hard sell. Very hard to make headway in Leinster & Division 2 next year has Derry & Dublin in it.

Final update I will make before decision is announced. Apologies for taking over the thread last few days. But I do think people are interested in who is Meaths next manager and its probaly biggest and most important decision Meath county board have had to make in years.

It is still between McDermott, Fitzmaurice, Flynn. Today though I heard management team Bernard Flynn Graham Geraghty Trevor Giles Graham Reilly Robbie Brennan are going get the job.

Still wouldn't rule out Fitzmaurice, because county board are so determined to get him. But principal in kerry has to be an issue to overcome. Could have decision by Friday. Hopefully Fitzmaurice accepts the post , but now the noise in the county is it could be a Flynn Geraghty Giles management team.

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it.

Regards Fitzmaurice close to getting job or not close he is the county boards first choice, main target. He is in talks with them, and and an interview with them with his plan to manage Meath. So he is in the running and is shown genuine interest in the job. How close is that to getting the job. I don't know how do you measure that. In a way it's irrelevant if hes very close to getting the job and doesn't take the job, well its doesn't matter than.

Mcdermott Regards Clare he didn't do a great job. And also in Parnells Dublin senior championship and Garycastle in Westmeath senior championship he didn't do well eitheir. His first year in charge was first time in 5 years Garycastle didn't get to county final. He was in running for Longford job in 2013 and Longford picked Jack Sheedy. You guys picked Mickey Graham instead of him as Cavan manager. He did well in Clare Limerick Cavan and Meath championship. But they aren't really particularly strong championships. Compared to Dublin senior championship.

Dublin clubs have won 8 senior All Ireland senior club titles. Meath Limerick Clare Cavan have won 1 senior All Ireland club title between them. That was Limerick club. No Cavan club has reached All Ireland senior club final, no Meath senior club has reached All Ireland senior club final in near 40 years. And only 1 Clare team has reached All Ireland senior club final. No Cavan team has won or reached All Ireland club senior final.

Meath senior clubs have won 4 leinster provicial titles, Limerick senior clubs have won 2 Munster provicial titles, Clare senior clubs have won 3 Munster senior provicial club titles and no Cavan club has won Ulster senior club titles. Dublin have won 23 provicial titles. Meath Clare Limerick Cavan are not top senior Club Championships compared to Dublin.

Meath club championship is a great championship in terms of interest the Keegan Cup matters to Meath gaa people but the standard it poor. If you look at Meath senior champions record in leinster it's dreadful. Even when Meath were winning All Irelands it was poor.

Club All Ireland championship began in early 1970s

Since 1970 Meath at inter County senior level have won 9 leinster senior championships and won 4 All Ireland senior titles and reached 8 All Ireland senior finals

Since 1970 Meath clubs have won 4 leinster club senior titles and 0 All Ireland senior club titles and reached 2 All Ireland senior club finals.

Carlow with 6 and laois 7 have won more leinster senior club titles. Dublin have 23 leinster club senior titles. Meath haven't won leinster senior club title since Dunshaughlin 20 years ago in 2002. And no Meath club haven't reached All Ireland club senior final since Walterstown did twice nearly 40 years ago in early 1980s.

That's shocking poor record. It must be said when Meath were winning All Ireland in 80s 90s they didn't win leinster club or make impact outside Meath. But I think Meath clubs at senior not doing well Is an issue now. It must be said there was huge gap between Meath v Dublin clubs 7 or 8 years ago, in terms of strenght and Conditioning and tactics. I do think Meath senior championship has improved in last 4 or 5 years. You can see Wolfe Tones were competitive v Crokes last year compared to hammering they gave Dunboyne a few years. Strenght and Conditioning and tactics have improved but it still not a great championship at the top level like Dublin kerry Tyrone Galway etc it is an issue and Meath senior clubs need to start doing better in leinster.

Regards a manager known the club scene well once Fitzmaurice has people on management team who know Meath club scene I don't think it's problem. It wasn't problem for Mick Dwyer at kildare or Laois, or Paudi O Se in Westmeath. Or if you go further afield it wasnt problem when Davy Fitzgerald managed Wexford or Waterford hurlers or John Allen managed Limerick hurlers or when kieran McGeeney managed kildare. Or currently with John Maughan with Offaly or when John Maughan managed Clare. Or when John O Mahony managed Galway. Or with every Offaly All Ireland winning manager. Offaly hurling All Ireland winning managers were Dermot Healy kilkenny, or Eamon Cregan from Limerick or Michael Bond from Galway. Creggan or Bond didn't know Offaly club scene but won Offaly All Irelands. Or Eugene McGee in 1982 from Longford or Tom Gilhooley in 1971 1972 a Galway man who both trained Offaly to 3 football All Irelands. Look at Cavan Martin McHugh in 1997 when he won Ulster. How much did he know about Cavan local scene at club level. Maybe be did maybe didn't. But Micko and Paudi knew very little about kildare and Westmeath club scene yet they are only managers in history of leinster football who have won leinster titles and beating Dublin in leinster championship along with Sean Boylan, Eamon O Brien and Eugene McGee. I don't see that as an issue, once someone like Fitzmaurice has knowledgeable selectors who can inform him about the players. Major issue is how the manager trains or coach's those players.

Just a bit more information. Cathal O Bric minor All Ireland winning manager has now thrown his hat into mix. He wants the Meath senior Job. Cathal O Bric is U19 development panel manager next year and U20 Meath manager the following year. The hope was he would take on his All-Ireland winning minors at U20. And than in 3 or 4 years time maybe become senior manager. But he now has thrown his hat into ring. What does now mean. I honestly don't know.

GAA managerial race can have some twists and turns. The last time Meath went for outside manager luke Dempsey was lined up to get the job but Banty was appointed at last moment. Mick O Dowd came from nowhere to manage Meath in 2013 no one even knew he was in running. Look at Davy Fitz being talked about by Marty Morrisey on RTE News as next Galway hurling manager and it looked a done deal. Next day Henry Shefflin was manager of Galway. Tommy lyons years ago was being main contender lined up for Mayo job in 2011 and James Horan was appointed from nowhere. In 2008 Mick Dwyer was going to become next Dublin manager and Pat Gilroy was appointed at last moment it looked like Davy Burke was going to be next Kildare manager last yesr but Glen Ryan's and his management team of kildare legends was appointed and that came from nowhere. My point is with O Bric now thrown his hat into ring What does that mean. Its all getting a bit mad. I hope they get right choice basically Fitzmaurice which which will delight Meath fans and u cud see players like Keoghan Menton Sullivan McGill staying on longer.Appoint Fitzmaurice would inspire young players and also help in keeping keoghan Mentons involved.

Thanks Dixiefly for your comments I appreciate it.

Yes I would have like Malachy O Rourke also, so did the committee. He was approached. He said let me think about it. He thought about it for a few days and said no he didn't want to commute from Tyrone where he he lives. My feeling about Malachy O Rourke is he probably has eyes on the Donegal job if that comes up soon. But that's only a guess. But the rest is true he was contacted, but he said no.

Fitzmaurice was different from the beginning he showed interest. To such extent he's had two interviews with the board now. Where we are now it looks like its between Bernard Flynn or Eamon Fitzmaurice , but cannot rule out McDermott completely he could be still in the frame. But Flynn and Fitzmaurice look like the last 2 standing. Interesting Meath Chronicle are now coming out saying why is it taking so long. Where they told we would have decision early this week. Is there some sort hitch now. I don't know. At the end of last week Fitzmaurice was still in the running and decision was expected by this Friday maybe early next week. So we will just have to wait.

The points you make about Fitzmaurice are legimate concerns. They are issues. You are correct. My point is if we don't get Fitzmaurice we are looking at more than likely very inexperienced unproven Bernard Flynn and his set up. And we saw what happened there with U20s. Its eitheir very experience top class manager or no experience unproven manager. That's one of the reasons I would go with Fitzmaurice. Andy is best Meath manager of his generation. O Bric, Reilly, Farrell have potential but they need to gain more experience. Fitzmaurice could take us for 4 years than O Bric or Kevin Reilly takes over. 4 years of training managing these young talent players from 4 U17 leinster minor winning teams and 1 All Ireland winning team. Being trained under top class manager would be great start to their Meath career. There is no guarantee with any manager. But I personally think FItzmaurice would be best placed to do that.

I think we will have news by the end of the week, maybe early next week, we will know soon who is our next manager will be.

You're only short of nominating the local stray dog at this stage. Barstool stuff

That's how gaa managerial races go. Last 2 before Andy. First Sean Kelly looked like he was going to be manager than it was Graham Geraghty with John Evans and out of nowhere Mick O Dowd was appointed. In 2011 luke Dempsey was nearly appointed and Banty was at the last minute appointed. Recently Marty Morrisey was on RTE news saying Davy Fitzgerald was new Galway hurling manager, the next day Henry Shefflin was announced as Galway manager. Last year Davy Burke looked like he was going to be kildare manager and out of nowhere no one predicted or knew Glen Ryan with Rainbow Earley Doyle were announced as kildare manager.

That's how these things go. It'd called managerial race. And GAA managerial races have many twists and turns. Last time Andy was the only candidate, everyone agreed on. This time there is few candidates.

I have been very consistent constantly said McDermott Flynn and Fitzmaurice were in the running. With Flynn and Fitzmaurice the most likely two contenders. I have said that over and over and over again two leading candidates. All I said tonight there is rumour circulating about Barry Callaghan.

So to repeat myself again Flynn and Fitzmaurice are by all accounts the two main contenders. But tonight Barry Callaghan name is being mention. How is that mentioning everyone short of local stray dog. 3, I have only mentioned 3 consistently and now 1 update. That's all.

FACT Flynn has told everyone he has announced publicly he wants the job.

FACT McDermont was voted to contender by his club. How is that barstool stuff. They are facts 2 of three candidates are publicly known officially announced in the press. That's a fact.

Only one candidate have I mentioned consistently, just 1 who hasn't being mentioned publicly in national press. But that candidates there has huge noise and talk around the county in last 2 weeks about. I heard myself from someone in Upper echelons of Meath football that Eamon Fitzmaurice is in the running and has being interviewed. That's all thes candidate 3. With 2 publicly know how is that pub talk. When it is factual truth.

So what I said over and over again Flynn or Fitzmaurice are the main candidates but Callaghan name there is rumour tonight regards him. That's not every stray dog being mentioned for Meath job. Your criticism is unfair because I have been consistent in all messages. Constantly referencing two candidates. And just one update tonight.

That's fair enough. I accept your apology. I know I can be full on. And write in over long winding in many directions way. I am Meath GAA fanatic. And I think this is the most important decision for Meath football in a generation. We need to get this one right and get top class div 1 mmanager. That's just my opinion.

Regards Cork hurlers sometimes it's fast when you have 1 outstanding candidate in the county. So Pat Ryan new Cork hurling manager won 2 U21 All Ireland hurling titles in last 3 years. No surprise he's appointed with no fuss. Andy McEntee got Meath minors to All Ireland final and won All Ireland club title with Ballyboden. He is appointed straightway no fuss. When you have one outstanding candidate in the county they are the next manager. The way U21 All Ireland winning manager Jim Galvin took over from Pat Gilroy there was no fuss it was done quickly.

When you have no outstanding candidate in the county it becomes an open race, a managerial race with twists & turns. Ten years luke Dempsey was going to be Meath manager it was all lined up, but Meath county board had change of mind at the last moment and Banty was selected. There can be politics in the background jockeying for position twists and turns in managerial race especially one as wide open at the beginning like Meath have, especially when you have no one outstanding candidate in the county. And the county board have tried to keep out of national press. Flynn announced himself be wanted Meath job on GAA,legends tour in Croke Park he was main speaker, and Shane Cassells Meath politician senator was there and he tweeted Bernard was in the running for manager.

The GAA is a community where news seeps out you cannot keep something like this under the lid for weeks. But now we are on the verge of decision. And it's clear I would be delighted with Fitzmaurice. He's the manager I would like and I think would bd seen as outstanding appointment Meath nationwide a real coup and i think many fans would find inspiring choice. But with the Meath county board Who knows. I have great faith in Conor Donoghue on comminitee but what happened with Andy last Autumn when certain members of county board tried to remove him, there are other members you would have less faith in m. I think there is one outstanding choice. Anyway We will knoe soon enough. I wouldn't mentions any more updates or any other news I hear about. I will wait to when the official announcement is made public by the County board and I will comment again than.

It's a tricky one to predict. Kerry haven't beaten Dubs in championship in 13 years. And for kerry that's an eternity. This young kerry seemed to be heir to Dublins crown. Take over best teams in the country for a few years. But last years v Cork in 2020 and 202 Tryone they disappointed. But JOC is in there this year for one aim and one aim only, to bring Sam to kerry. Upfront huge firepower and 2 generational talent in O Shea and Clifford. Its at the back there is issue. Goalie also.

Look at kerry defenders of 00s Moyihan, Two O Ses, Mccarthy, Sullivan, O Mahony, Young, Brosnan and Fitzmaurice. That defence had 3 Footballer of the years eg Moyihan Marc O Se Tomas O Se. Kerrys current defence doesn't have one great defender at Footballer of the year level. And every great kerry team have all time great defender eg Sean Murphy in 50s 60 ( he was wing back on team of century and team of Milleniu) , John O keefe in 70s ( footballer of the year), Paudi O Se in 80s, Seamus Moyihan in 90s, Tomas and Marc O Se in 00s all 3 footballers og the year. Kerry don't have those defenders. They lack top class defenders say like McKeigue with Derry, even though Sullivan is good. Others have question marks. But they have brought in Tyrone 2003 All Ireland winning coach lally and defensively kerry are much stronger this year with a swarm defence. Kerrys last All Ireland in 2014 win was built on strong defence.

Dubs 1st 15 is the best in the country and probably better than keerys on paper. Dubs have better defender keery don't have defender as good as James Mccarthy or even John Small. There id still question mark v dubs as there have been since championship started. League was a shitshow for Dubs but they did have players missing. I think Dubs are less secure at the back now since Galvin left. They miss Cian Sullivan he was a great sweeper. U can isolate Dub defender one on one on inside line much easier now with Dessie Farrells Dublin than Jim Gavins Dublin. Look at the chances Jordan Morrris got v Dubs earlier this year. If David Clifford gets them chances he will bury them. It could come down to the two best forwards of their generation eg David Clifford & Con Callaghan. If Con Callaghan is missing Dublin are in trouble. There must be serious question mark over will be fit by Sunday. And James Mccarthy could be also missing. Many in Dublin thiink Mccarthy could be Dublins greatest player, they could be right. If Dubs are missing Con and Mccarthy that's their two best player. And when they missed early league Dubs were very beatable

Costello ie good but he is not Con good. Rock is aging, and kilkenny will have to take up scoring threat if Con is missing and could take away from his playmaker role on 40. Con is the best forward talent ever to come out of Dublin. He missed league, Dubs were flat. He returns Dubs return to their best. He gives an outlet Inside. He is strong direct and can win his own ball. He is big game player. If he is missing its advantage kerry. There could be issue regards Clifford fitness but I expect Clifford play but if he couldn't play coz of injury also huge massive blow for kerry.

Could be extra time even penos. You would expect big performance from Kerry. They have been waiting to get at Dubs in championship since 2019 final. Dubs u couldn't right them off with 6 All Ireland in 7 years. Cons fitness is massive he doesn't play and Clifford does it advantage kerry. Dubs would need huge game from Costello if Con missing and he is not at Clifford r Callaghan. Could we have cracking classic kerry v Dublin semi final like 1977 and 2013, time will tell.

Local Meath new website above mentions Bernard Flynn wants Eamon Fitzmaurice as coach. As it says Fitzmaurice is interested in the Meath managerial job. All the signs last 2 week it was between Flynn and Fitzmaurice. Doesn’t mean they will get it, but thats being talk. For last 3 weeks I have heard Fitzmaurice is interested in Meath job. The article says they heard Robbie Brennan is no longer part of Flynn’s management team. I personally have heard nothing about Flynn and Fitzmaurice management team together, but that both are interested in the job on their own. A new Meath sponsor supposedly will pay most cost of appointing someone like Fitzmaurice. Even if Meath go for internal manager, stay in the county the cost of his management team is pricey. All the interviews are done. You would have expected decision by now, maybe there was a hitch at start of week. Maybe Flynn and Fitzmaurice are going together like Dooher/Lohan or Declan Bonner with Stephen Rochford in Donegal. I have heard nothing about Flynn and Fitzmaurice together, but the above article mentions this. Thats very interesting at this stage. We should hear something tonight tomorrow or early next week. But I hope its Fitzmaurice on his own. For me that would be the best choice, but it is interesting the article says Flynn wants Fitzmaurice and him to work together. Watch this space.