Meath GAA discussion thread

Hammer Archer · 18-03-2023 03:27PM

Useless. Bar a fluke goal, it's the same old performance against Dublin. Shooting from ridiculous angles.

Edit: Well, that's that. Embarrassingly naive defending having so many players forward playing against the breeze.

snowgal · 19-03-2023 02:27PM

Yea not much to say really, the silence here says it all. All I was looking for was something different, no major expectations just to see something is changing there. I didn’t see anything yesterday, dunno if it’s just the blue jersey fear is still there but they went back playing to the past 4 years, that in between going nowhere style….. what happened to the flair of the cork game

rrs · 19-03-2023 08:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120375785#Comment_120375785

The way Cork set up in that game suited Meaths catch and kick style. Meath breezed through for scores with loads of room from the Cork backs.

CrabRevolution · 21-03-2023 12:58PM

Cork were one of the Most defensively naïve teams I've seen in a while. Cork tipped over points for the whole game (0-19 would be enough to win most games) but just kept getting sliced open for goals by the Meath forwards. Same with the Clare match.

I think once opposition defences started getting bedded in as the league progressed, the goals that sustained us in the first few games dried up.

rpurfield · 23-03-2023 12:34PM

Good win for the 20's in Longford. From what I've heard on it the weather was absolutely terrible and not exactly conductive to good football. Hopefully they can kick on and do well in the championship, we are long overdue a run at U20 level. Given that most of the team were involved with the Leinster and All Ireland wins in 2020 and 2021 you would be hopeful.

CrabRevolution · 24-03-2023 12:18PM

The Stats and Solos twitter account is good fun, ranking teams statistically and predicting games and scenarios (they posted a thread in this forum about simulating the All Ireland Championship a few days ago).

In any case we're apparently the dullest county in terms of ranking volatility the last few decades:

https://twitter.com/StatsAndSolos/status/1633392224770637824

This validates my doubts whenever I've heard drama queens in the last decade declare they've just seen the "Worst ever Meath performance". I have been following Meath football only since just before the start of that chart so don't remember the glory days. Aside from some infrequent brief dips up and down (All Ireland Semi final in 09, First Round Qualifier in 2018, Division 3 in 2013, Division 1 in 2020) we have a remarkable knack of consistently finishing mid division 2, and later round qualifiers.

Hammer Archer · 24-03-2023 03:56PM

I think it shows clearly what we already know. We really are just incredibly mediocre over the past 20 years. Next season will be the 16th season since the leagues reverted from 1A/B and 2A/B to the current divisions 1-4. In 16 league seasons, Meath will have spent 1 season in division 3, 1 season in division 1 and 14 seasons in division 4. I haven't checked, but I don't think any team has spent as long in division 2 in that time.

It's difficult to say when the "worst" Meath team was. From 2002-2009, we didn't make a Leinster final and from 2005-2009 we never even made a Leinster semi final. In that time, we went out tamely to Fermanagh (twice), Cavan, Laois and were hockeyed by Limerick (not to mention the regular defeats by Wexford). However, in that time, we did manage two All Ireland semi finals.

CrabRevolution · 24-03-2023 10:45PM

In the space of 3 years that mid 2000s team were relegated twice from a 16 team division 1.

In between they lost the 2005 league final; Meath were two points up deep into injury time and repeatedly won the ball in our defence only to hand it back to Monaghan. Darren Fay won a ball and hoofed it out aimlessly, clearly thinking the full time whistle would blow. Instead Monaghan got it and won one last free, which they lumped harmlessly into the 6ft+ Mark Ward who was standing on the goal line without a Monaghan player near him....and proceeded to punch it into his own net. Meath lost by a point.

It's on youtube if you hate yourselves enough.

The Golden Miller · 26-03-2023 12:42AM

As someone who takes a passing interest in Meath football, as at their best they intrigued me, I can honestly say this is the worst Meath team in living memory. I slated them on and off the last couple of years, and nothing has changed.

What makes this team so poor, or any of the teams from the last decade, is psychological, with many people running me off the thread disagreeing over the years. This is what makes it different than Meath just being bad, they actually aren't, as talented as anyone, but a broken team psychologically.

This started under the rein of Mick O'Dowd. Although well intentioned, he pretty much axed experienced battle hardened players, replacing them with youth, many playing even intermediate club football at the time, thrown in the deep end. And so followed, hammering after hammering from Dublin on these young players, and something died in Meath football over this period, which hasn't been put right.

Meath had their foot in the neck of Tyrone and Donegal on at least 3 big occasions in the All-Ireland knock out rounds over the last decade. And when they seen the winning line, completely buckled every time. This disbelief has seeped into the culture of the team and it's very hard to put right.

From the outside looking in, I don't think it matters what players start, or who they even are. Meath teams at their worst still played with heart and fight, the current lot are completely devoid of both. The problem is deeper than players and tactics, and until put right, Meath won't improve.

How to go about putting that right is hard to know, but a good start would be to play a top team and actually see it out. The fear Meath show now is incredible compared to what came before. But there's something broken in the mindset of the county

The Golden Miller · 26-03-2023 12:44AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120398208#Comment_120398208

The Meath team of mid to late 00s could still raise their game at times and play with belief, they weren't the best but could rally at times. Stark contrast to the current lot

Hammer Archer · 26-03-2023 03:32PM

No plan going forward. No plan while defending. No urgency whatsoever for the entirety of the game. 21 minutes playing with the wind before we got our first score. We just look like we have no gameplan whatsoever. We would win a free inside our own half and our players would be jogging forward with their backs to the play.

This was an awful Kildare side and we made it like a training session for them. If one of Cavan or Clare make it to their respective provincial finals, we'll be in the Tailteann Cup. Being honest, that may be the only way we'd have a chance at winning another game this season.

Cavan_King · 26-03-2023 08:57PM

Heard a rumour at the Cavan match today that Jordan Morris was dropped today because he had words with O’Rourke and told him he’s the worst manager he’s ever seen, club or county.

Anyone hear that?

celt262 · 26-03-2023 09:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120404195#Comment_120404195

I heard Mickey Graham put him up to it.

poppers · 27-03-2023 01:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120404261#Comment_120404261

from what ive seen of JM Cavan are welcome to him.

snowgal · 27-03-2023 02:38PM

god that was a shocker of a game yesterday, from both sides really. Kildare shouldve put us away numerous times, couldn't believe there was still only 4 points in it at one stage. Felt like the longest drawn out, bland game Ive been to as a Meath Gal in a long long time...I dont believe the JM stuff above at all, **** stirring.... but I do wonder is there a niggle there between players and management, something feels off..........

rpurfield · 29-03-2023 11:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120404195#Comment_120404195

I heard that was the warm up bout to McGeeney and Rian O'Neill myself

Cavan_King · 03-04-2023 10:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120415152#Comment_120415152

Morris played with Kingscourt at the weekend & scored 2 points from play. Are other members of the Meath panel back playing with their clubs in League games? I heard he has left the Meath panel over the falling out.

rpurfield · 04-04-2023 11:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120437679#Comment_120437679

Anyone not on the 26 went back to play with their clubs, its been happening since the season started. We Are Meath ran through the panel changes post league and said he is still part of it. Personally I think its a bit off the wall making a heap of changes to a panel a month out from championship but that's another thing

Hammer Archer · 05-04-2023 08:44AM

Disappointing result for the U20s against Laois last night. 4 points up at half time but only scored once in the second half and lost by 5 (with the help of conceding a goal in the last minute). Hopefully it was just a case of them not taking it too seriously having already qualified but would have been an advantage to go straight through to the semis.

poppers · 09-04-2023 02:51PM

After Clare win I take it meath need to reach lenister final or hope westmeath reach it from their side to avoid Tailtean cup.

Hammer Archer · 09-04-2023 04:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120458144#Comment_120458144

Actually not sure what happens if Westmeath make the final. Though after our performance in the league, if we don't make the Leinster final, then we simply don't deserve to be in the Sam Maguire proper.

Quarter final will be against Offaly in Tullamore.

Cavan_King · 09-04-2023 06:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120458570#Comment_120458570

Nothing happens if Westmeath make the Leinster Final. They already have a place in Sam due to winning the Tailteann Cup. Therefore them making the Leinster Final doesn’t change anything for anyone.

Kildare are also still at risk if they don’t make the Leinster Final as Meath could make it and knock them down the pecking order or, even if Meath didn’t make it, Cavan or Down making an Ulster Final, knocks them out too.

poppers · 09-04-2023 08:19PM

Westmeath reaching leinster final means their place for winning tailtean cup goes to 16th best team as they will be 2nd seeds.

Cavan_King · 09-04-2023 09:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120459735#Comment_120459735

Westmeath reaching the Leinster Final only changes seeding, it doesn’t change who qualifies or doesn’t for the Sam/Tailteann.

An Ciarraioch · 09-04-2023 09:13PM

It does open up one extra space as currently it would be:

8 provincial finalists

Westmeath

7 best League teams not in a provincial final

Because Westmeath would be in a final, that third category expands to 8 League teams.

Cavan_King · 09-04-2023 10:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120459973#Comment_120459973

Westmeath are in the Sam Maguire. One of 16 teams. How can them meeting the qualification criteria for something they are already in open another space?

For example, Westmeath qualifying for the Leinster Final will not change anything for Meath or Kildare. They were both in Sam and remained in it unless a 3rd or 4th Division Munster/Ulster team reach those provincial finals and they don’t reach the Leinster final. That is now guaranteed to happen in Munster with Cork losing today.

Therefore it’s now up to Meath, with Clare winning today, if they will play in Sam. Nothing Westmeath does will affect them or what comp they play in. To play in Sam, Meath have to get to the Leinster final. If they do, they take Kildare’s place in Sam and Kildare are gone to Tailteann.

Hammer Archer · 10-04-2023 04:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120460259#Comment_120460259

The 16 Sam Maguire teams that qualify are the four provincial winners, the four provincial final losers, the previous Tailteann Cup winners and the next 7 teams ranked by league position. If Westmeath make the Leinster final, then they occupy one of the provincial spots and the Tailteann cup winner's spot. So an extra league spot opens up to keep it at 16 teams.

poppers · 10-04-2023 09:00PM

Think cavan king is correct. West meath getting to a final is no diferent to dublin getting there. See below for the 16 as it stands.

Mayo

Galway

Ross

Kerry

Tyrone

Mon

Dub

Derry

Armagh

Donegal

West meath

Con finalst

Mun finalst

Louth

Cork

Kildare

Cavan_King · 10-04-2023 09:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120462030#Comment_120462030

I think you are looking at it different to most people. At present Meath and Kildare have Sam Maguire slots due to their League finishing positions.

Meath are set to lose that based on the Munster finalist.

Westmeath making the Leinster Final changes nothing for Meath/Kildare as I’ve said above.

I don’t really understand why there’s such discussion about it - the bottom line is Meath need to make the Leinster Final or they are playing Tailteann Cup.

A much better debate would be whether you think that would actually be better for the team?

rpurfield · 11-04-2023 09:33AM

Cavan King I think the discussion just comes from everyone getting used to the new system! Your question is right, it might be better for development but on current form I can't see the team setting it alight. From a number of games point of view it is certainly good though.

Meath GAA discussion thread

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