Meath GAA discussion thread

Hammer Archer · 12-03-2012 10:35am #1

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.

dcr22B · 12-03-2012 10:39am

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Joe Sheridan leaving for the States certainly isn't going to help.

Is he going to the NFL with his throwing skills in great demand?

Sorry, couldn't resist!

I think Meath look a much better proposition under Banty in year 2 and I was quietly impressed with how they went against Kildare and probably should have won the game.

It is fairly likely that you'll get a semi final place and if you can avoid Tyrone and get into the final, you could be playing Division 1 ball next year. Would much rather you guys get promoted than Kildare that's for sure!

Hammer Archer · 12-03-2012 10:47am

dcr22B wrote: »

Is he going to the NFL with his throwing skills in great demand?

Sorry, couldn't resist!

I think Meath look a much better proposition under Banty in year 2 and I was quietly impressed with how they went against Kildare and probably should have won the game.

It is fairly likely that you'll get a semi final place and if you can avoid Tyrone and get into the final, you could be playing Division 1 ball next year. Would much rather you guys get promoted than Kildare that's for sure!

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure there are no semi finals for Division 2 and below. Only the top two get promoted.
But you're right, we do look better this year than last, but there are still a lot of issues to work on. We still look very unfit and unable to last the full 70 minutes of a game.

To Alcohol · 12-03-2012 10:50am

dcr22B wrote: »

Is he going to the NFL with his throwing skills in great demand?

Sorry, couldn't resist!

I think Meath look a much better proposition under Banty in year 2 and I was quietly impressed with how they went against Kildare and probably should have won the game.

It is fairly likely that you'll get a semi final place and if you can avoid Tyrone and get into the final, you could be playing Division 1 ball next year. Would much rather you guys get promoted than Kildare that's for sure!

What are you talking about avoid Tyrone? It's a league. They have to play them. Also whats a semi final place?

Hammer Archer · 12-03-2012 11:04am

To Alcohol wrote: »

What are you talking about avoid Tyrone? It's a league. They have to play them. Also whats a semi final place?

Top 4 in division 1 go into the semi finals. They were thinking of doing the same for all divisions but decided against it.

dcr22B · 12-03-2012 11:10am

Hammer Archer wrote: »

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure there are no semi finals for Division 2 and below. Only the top two get promoted.

Sorry you're right there about only Division 1 having semi finals.

@ To Alcohol, I meant avoid Tyrone in the semi finals if there had been any. I know they have to play them during the regular season

Atomic Pineapple · 12-03-2012 7:35pm

The display against Galway was hugely disappointing especially after what I thought was a decent display against Kildare in which we were unlucky to lose out in the end.

And with the two early wins it was looking good but the game yesterday had a back to square 1 feeling about it

I don't think Joe Sheridan will be all that much of a loss, he is a decent player but never struck me as being always there when he's on the pitch.

After a promising start things don't look quite as good now!

Hammer Archer · 12-03-2012 7:53pm

draffodx wrote: »

The display against Galway was hugely disappointing especially after what I thought was a decent display against Kildare in which we were unlucky to lose out in the end.

And with the two early wins it was looking good but the game yesterday had a back to square 1 feeling about it

I don't think Joe Sheridan will be all that much of a loss, he is a decent player but never struck me as being always there when he's on the pitch.

After a promising start things don't look quite as good now!

I don't know, when he's on form he can be unplayable and it certainly gives us an extra outlet when he's on the field. One thing I noticed from yesterday was countless long and high balls played in on top of Ward and Gilsenan, neither of whom has a hope of competing for them.
The two losses were very disappointing alright. We could have easily won both and been 4 points ahead of 3rd and in cruise control for promotion. Instead, we could be in serious relegation trouble again should we lose to Derry.
Having said that, promotion certainly isn't out of the question. Tyrone seem to be the only team firing on all cylinders at the moment. Everyone else seems to be stuttering so 2nd spot could go to anyone.

The Showstopper · 13-03-2012 8:17am

We really should be beating Derry and Louth at home, not sure if that would be enough for promotion though

rpurfield · 15-03-2012 5:42pm

yay a meath thread i can ease off hog****and now.we need to win on sunday without a doubt, weve left two close games behind us the last two weeks and the lads need to learn how to close these games out from here on.having said that if wardy was on the frees we couldve got something out of both games stephen bray is not a free taker

Hammer Archer · 15-03-2012 9:05pm

Yeah I was very confused that Bray continued to take the frees despite being hit and miss and Cian nailing two difficult 45s.

dartsfan · 16-03-2012 4:28pm

Anyone know what club Sheridan has joined in Boston?

And outside of "construction", I haven't heard his actual profession....what does he do exacly?

Hammer Archer · 17-03-2012 3:25pm

I've heard he's joining McAnespies but I'm not sure. No idea what exactly he does.

rpurfield · 17-03-2012 6:30pm

great result for the pats in the A league the other night beat o'mahoneys 3-8 to 0-10.didnt make the game but we seem to be out of the blocks very quick this year

Hammer Archer · 17-03-2012 9:02pm

Very good result alright. Wonder is it going to be another season of underachievement for O'Mahoney's.
We (Ratoath) seem to be in a similar position after easily beating Clann na nGael. Really have to get out of the wasteland that is the Junior championship this season. Have a great young team with several ex county minors but we just can't produce when it matters. Hopefully the fact that both Junior finalists get promoted this season will help us.

Rebelheart · 17-03-2012 9:29pm

Hammer Archer wrote: »

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.

hehe.

The Showstopper · 18-03-2012 5:54pm

Shocking performance and a poor crowd. We looked clueless and the management team didn't know what to do.

Hammer Archer · 18-03-2012 7:17pm

Absolute disgrace alright. Very much back in the relegation scrap especially seeing as a loss next Saturday is almost guaranteed. Hit 15 wides supposedly. I'm beginning to think a trip down to division 3 wouldn't be all that bad for us. It seems that's our level now.

And I too was very surprised with the crowd. Pretty sure more turned up for all 3 O'Byrne Cup games in January.
But I'll make the trip to Omagh next Saturday. Glutton for punishment I am.

Pighead · 19-03-2012 1:51pm

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Absolute disgrace alright. Very much back in the relegation scrap especially seeing as a loss next Saturday is almost guaranteed.

You may be lucky in that there is a chance Tyrone may give their fringe players a game against your lot. They are pretty much guaranteed to finish top no matter what happens from here on in so Harte may take the last two games to check out his fringe players.

Royal Seahawk · 19-03-2012 5:17pm

Pighead wrote: »

You may be lucky in that there is a chance Tyrone may give their fringe players a game against your lot. They are pretty much guaranteed to finish top no matter what happens from here on in so Harte may take the last two games to check out his fringe players.

To be honest I'd still fancy Tyrone's fringe players to beat this current Meath side, we're beyond useless at the moment.

Royal Legend · 19-03-2012 9:29pm

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

To be honest I'd still fancy Tyrone's fringe players to beat this current Meath side, we're beyond useless at the moment.

Firstly whether we pick up this year or not, I am and never would be in favour of an outside manager, and I watched enough of his previous team to see that his tactics were negative and anti football, the Meath managers job is a Meathmans position, always has, always will be.

Secondly, going back to an old chesnut of mine, we have issues with the development of football within the county, we have gone backwards. One problem that existed a few years ago was the division of the boards. I remember a few years ago we had a decent panel of talented players at u14 level, but when they got to minor, the minor board took over and put their own man in charge, much to the detriment of that particular bunch of players.

I am out of the county a good while, but i keep upto date with what is happening and go to as many league and championship matches as possible, its disappointing that after our previous success we seem to have took the eye of the ball and slipped backwards.

Royal Seahawk · 20-03-2012 6:54pm

While I'm not Banty's biggest fan I don't really hold him responsible for the last few results. The players aren't there at the moment, simple as that, not much a manager can do about that.

Hammer Archer · 20-03-2012 7:30pm

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

While I'm not Banty's biggest fan I don't really hold him responsible for the last few results. The players aren't there at the moment, simple as that, not much a manager can do about that.

Personally, I would hold him largely responsible. A lot of this team won the Leinster in 2010 (yes they did) and got to an All Ireland semi in 2009. I'm not saying they're world beaters or anything, but they certainly should be good enough to beat Galway and a Derry team crippled with injuries.

The system he is getting the team to play is ludicrous. Too much short, lateral handpassing without going anywhere. And how long does he have to play a two man full forward line to realise it's not working? At one stage when we were attacking on Sunday, Gilsenan and Ward were inside the 21 and there was no other Meath player between them and Derry's 65. Acres of space available but no one in it. This wasn't just apparent during the Derry game, it's happened in every game this year.

Royal Legend wrote: »

Secondly, going back to an old chesnut of mine, we have issues with the development of football within the county, we have gone backwards. One problem that existed a few years ago was the division of the boards. I remember a few years ago we had a decent panel of talented players at u14 level, but when they got to minor, the minor board took over and put their own man in charge, much to the detriment of that particular bunch of players

Think you've hit the nail on the head with that. Haven't been in a Minor All Ireland final since 2002 and U21's have barely won a game recently. I think a lot of the problem is that the same guys have been in charge in the County Board for donkey's years. It really needs to be freshened up with some young blood and new ideas.

Royal Legend · 20-03-2012 9:09pm

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Personally, I would hold him largely responsible. A lot of this team won the Leinster in 2010 (yes they did) and got to an All Ireland semi in 2009. I'm not saying they're world beaters or anything, but they certainly should be good enough to beat Galway and a Derry team crippled with injuries.

The system he is getting the team to play is ludicrous. Too much short, lateral handpassing without going anywhere. And how long does he have to play a two man full forward line to realise it's not working? At one stage when we were attacking on Sunday, Gilsenan and Ward were inside the 21 and there was no other Meath player between them and Derry's 65. Acres of space available but no one in it. This wasn't just apparent during the Derry game, it's happened in every game this year.

Think you've hit the nail on the head with that. Haven't been in a Minor All Ireland final since 2002 and U21's have barely won a game recently. I think a lot of the problem is that the same guys have been in charge in the County Board for donkey's years. It really needs to be freshened up with some young blood and new ideas.

We are a footballing county with a proud tradition, and our previous successes are not that old. Between 86 and 2001 we had a championship record comparible to Kerry, we went through a lull in the early 90's and looking back, people should have put more faith in Sean Boylan to turn it around. I also think that Boylan's comment about the back door system was also 100% accurate, in that it creates an air of, well we can afford to lose one match and still be in the championship. The back door has not suited Meath.
In years gone by we were able to peak for a Leinster final and then put all our effort into an All Ireland Semi final and final. We always turned into a different animal when we got to the semi finals.
If we are not careful, we could go the way of Cavan and be remisising about All Irelands from 60 years ago

Royal Seahawk · 21-03-2012 10:18pm

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Personally, I would hold him largely responsible. A lot of this team won the Leinster in 2010 (yes they did) and got to an All Ireland semi in 2009. I'm not saying they're world beaters or anything, but they certainly should be good enough to beat Galway and a Derry team crippled with injuries.

.

Cian Ward got plenty of supply against Galway and did nothing with it. Easy balls slipping through his hands isn't Banty's fault. Yeah, we got to a semi final in 2009 but we got a handy run through the qualifiers before we beat Mayo thanks in part to an excellent performance by David Bray who is currently injured. We have no decent midfielders in the county since Cindy retired. Mark Ward is on the panel now SEVEN years and I can't think of a game which he grabbed by the scruff of the neck. It's actually embarrassing watching Meath at midfield these days.

Of course Banty as manager will be seen as partly responsible for our recent terrible performances but I'm not buying into the theory that the entire buck stops with him. Our players aren't of the ability we're used to seeing from Meath teams in the past and that is something that even the most ardent anti-Banty campaigner has to accept.

Hammer Archer · 22-03-2012 1:02am

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

Cian Ward got plenty of supply against Galway and did nothing with it. Easy balls slipping through his hands isn't Banty's fault. Yeah, we got to a semi final in 2009 but we got a handy run through the qualifiers before we beat Mayo thanks in part to an excellent performance by David Bray who is currently injured. We have no decent midfielders in the county since Cindy retired. Mark Ward is on the panel now SEVEN years and I can't think of a game which he grabbed by the scruff of the neck. It's actually embarrassing watching Meath at midfield these days.

Of course Banty as manager will be seen as partly responsible for our recent terrible performances but I'm not buying into the theory that the entire buck stops with him. Our players aren't of the ability we're used to seeing from Meath teams in the past and that is something that even the most ardent anti-Banty campaigner has to accept.

I disagree that Ward got lots of support against Galway. It's been him and Gilsenan in the full forward line for the entire league. Again, like against Derry at the weekend, balls were played up to both Ward and Gilsenan and there were no other Meath players within 30 or 40 yards. This is the problem with the two wing forwards playing in defence and Stephen Bray roaming all over the pitch. There were always 2 or 3 extra defenders on hand to cover both forwards which made it extremely difficult for them do do anything. And to be fair on Cian Ward, he was the only forward to score a point from play against Galway.

No I don't think it's entirely Banty's fault, the players have to take responsibility as well (especially for the 15 wides they hit on Sunday) and only a complete and utter eejit would suggest our players are anywhere near the levels of our past teams. However, like I said, I do feel we have the ability to beat Galway and a crippled Derry side but the system of football (if you could call it that) the manager is playing at the moment makes it so much more difficult.

rpurfield · 22-03-2012 9:42pm

lads as has been said weve won nothing at underage for years and the mentality is not there with lads coming through to the senior team.add that to the fact that the way the championships are run in the county, which i reckon takes the competitive edge off them and thats why were gone to pot.were years away from where we all want to be if ya ask me

Hammer Archer · 23-03-2012 3:48pm

Team for tomorrow:

David Gallagher
Mickey Burke
Kevin Reilly
Caoimhin King
Shane McAnarney
Bryan Menton
Donnacha Tobin
Tom Walsh
Mark Ward
Seamus Kenny
Stephen Bray
Graham Reilly
Paddy Gilsenan
Jamie Queeney
Cian Ward.

Think it's a good idea to put Bray on the 45 with Queeney as a target man up front. Hopefully, Jamie will be able to knock a few balls down to Ward and Gilsenan running off him. Certainly we should be able to compete for high balls better than we did the last few games.
Still not confident but maybe they'll surprise us with a good display.

Royal Seahawk · 23-03-2012 11:25pm

Yeah, looks like he's abandoning the two man full forward line by starting Queeney. Should be interesting.

Hammer Archer · 24-03-2012 3:15pm

It's been a long time since I've been so lethargic heading to an away game. If I'd been to Omagh before I probably wouldn't go. Can't see us getting anything out of this meaning the game against Louth will decide whether we stay up or go down.

rpurfield · 24-03-2012 5:09pm

Hammer Archer wrote: »

It's been a long time since I've been so lethargic heading to an away game. If I'd been to Omagh before I probably wouldn't go. Can't see us getting anything out of this meaning the game against Louth will decide whether we stay up or go down.

yeah not going myself cos the missus is working this evening and i dont want to stick my mother with the kids when she minds them all week but ive no confidence in them at all going up there now, tyrone are flying this year.our only hope is they rest a few now theyve qualified for the final!

thewildcat · 24-03-2012 10:44pm

your lucky you picked to stay home they were beat home division 3 next year

Hammer Archer · 25-03-2012 12:09am

Sick of these performances. Not one player even tried out there today. They were beaten as soon as the ball was thrown in. I was disappointed with the first half display but put it down to playing against what was a very strong breeze. But two points in the second showed that the players couldn't have been less bothered.
The horrible thing is that a 10 point loss was actually flattering for us. Tyrone kicked a huge amount of wides and basically just passed the ball around for the last 15 minutes. It was a training match for Tyrone in the end. Haven't been this embarrassed about a Meath performance since the Limerick game in 2008.

Though I have to say I love going to games up north. Northern fans are almost always the most friendly and welcoming. They even played 'Beautiful County of Meath' before the game.

ILOVEBLATHNAID · 25-03-2012 4:54am

Haha Meath are ****e !!!!!!!!!!!!

Frank Spencer · 25-03-2012 8:51am

After hearing what type of training the Meath players are doing it's coming as no surprise that they are struggling. Pretty unorthodox stuff and it seems to be causing dissension in the camp. The players are losing belief.

klong · 25-03-2012 3:01pm

Frank Spencer wrote: »

After hearing what type of training the Meath players are doing it's coming as no surprise that they are struggling. Pretty unorthodox stuff and it seems to be causing dissension in the camp. The players are losing belief.

What sort of training?

Hammer Archer · 25-03-2012 4:18pm

Ourselves, Louth, Westmeath and Monaghan all on 4 points going into the last game. Derry on 5 points. Westmeath play Derry and Monaghan play Tyrone in Omagh.
Our points difference means we're top of the quartet on 4 points. Only a win will guarantee safety.

rpurfield · 25-03-2012 6:01pm

i think the stuff just isnt there, i went against my better judgement last night and got dragged into defending banty on some of them facebook pages last night.now i didnt see the game but its my honest belief that we could have a combination of seanie micko jack oconnor and micky harte over that team and we wouldnt win **** all.

the real blame lies with the county board and their inaction on the underage front over the years.those running the show from the mid 80's till now(pretty much the same people) thought wed always be knocking about at the top.theyd wanna get themselves down to kilkenny or up to tyrone to see what theyve done with their underage structures to ge them to the top of the game.its just bloody sickening lads and to blame banty, or whoever is in charge maybe in a year or two, is taking the eye off the real culprits of our decline

Frank Spencer · 25-03-2012 6:16pm

klong wrote: »

What sort of training?

A player described it as akin to rugby training. These lads have been training since September. Heavy going it is. They didn't see a ball until January.

Hammer Archer · 25-03-2012 6:51pm

Frank Spencer wrote: »

A player described it as akin to rugby training. These lads have been training since September. Heavy going it is. They didn't see a ball until January.

Going by some of their attempts at tackling yesterday (and in every game), I wouldn't be surprised.
I cannot understand some of the play against Tyrone. Queeney was started at full forward which I thought would mean there would be high balls played to him with Gilsenan and Ward to pick up any breaks. But Queeney kept coming deeper and deeper and any balls that were played into the full forward line were played into the corners. Then we were surrounded by 3 or 4 Tyrone players and lost the ball. Same thing occurred with Brian Farrell in the second half.

And rpurfield, you're spot on about the county board but unfortunately I don't see the clubs voting any of them out any time soon.

Hammer Archer · 25-03-2012 7:00pm

In other news, the hurlers are one game away from a league final against Kildare.

roy rodgers · 26-03-2012 1:51am

Hammer Archer wrote: »

In other news, the hurlers are one game away from a league final against Kildare.

kildare won today 7-30 to 0-07.. clutching straws!!

Hammer Archer · 26-03-2012 9:44am

roy rodgers wrote: »

kildare won today 7-30 to 0-07.. clutching straws!!

How am I clutching straws? If we beat Armagh we're in the league final.

rpurfield · 28-03-2012 9:26pm

Hammer Archer wrote: »

And rpurfield, you're spot on about the county board but unfortunately I don't see the clubs voting any of them out any time soon.

yes your spot on there now, well just see a reshuffle of the same faces into new positions as the five year rule comes into force.lets be honest though, im 28 a few years back i was on the pats committee and refereeing games as well as getting to most club and meath games now ive two kids and with the job changing cant get any time off at all as im on shift so im lucky to to get meath games in let alone get down to the club.ya need new blood to come in through club level but a lot of people in my age bracket are like myself too busy with work and paying the bills etc to get involved

CrabRevolution · 29-03-2012 7:47pm

Meath only lost by 2 points to Kildare in the first round of the hurling league, so should they beat or draw with Armagh they will definitely be capable of matching Kildare in the final.

Hammer Archer · 29-03-2012 8:22pm

CrabRevolution wrote: »

Meath only lost by 2 points to Kildare in the first round of the hurling league, so should they beat or draw with Armagh they will definitely be capable of matching Kildare in the final.

That's true, though Kildare will definitely be hot favourites if we do get to the final.
Was hoping to make it to the Armagh game this weekend but it's been moved to Middletown. It'll be tough assuming Armagh play their first team this time but hopefully the boys can do it. No doubt they'll put more effort into it than the footballers have the past two weekends.

Rumours are doing the rounds that GG has quit the management team (although he denies it). Why can't we go through a season without any controversy?

CrabRevolution · 29-03-2012 11:31pm

Fair play Hammer Archer, Meath hurling fans are rare enough, but a fan willing to go to away games is another level of rare altogether. The county board don't help of course when they put club games on at the same time as county ones.

I feel they will beat Armagh sunday, and this will set up an interesting game against Kildare. Unlike the footballers, the hurlers don't disappoint as often against teams they should beat, and rarely collapse pathetically against teams a level above them.

The addition of some minors from last year seems to be working well, Healy, Toher and Fitzsimons have made quite a successful step up to the senior team.

Hammer Archer · 30-03-2012 11:36am

You're dead right. I wish the county board would pay more than just lip service to the hurlers. I think we would be able to dramatically improve and be on a par with the likes of Antrim and Laois if more effort was put in. We're obviously able to produce fantastic hurlers (I'm of the opinion that Nicky Horan would have walked onto any team in the country in his prime) and just 10 years ago we were in Division 1 of the league and beat Dublin if I remember correctly.

To go back to the footballers, Paddy Gilsenan could be out for a while with a hamstring injury. Also there's rumours that Cormac McGuinness is out.

Hammer Archer · 01-04-2012 4:16pm

And the hurlers easily beat Armagh 1-19 to 8 points to make it to the Division 2B final on April 15th.
Well done lads!

klong · 01-04-2012 4:47pm

Not in the final according to RTÉ...aaaaaaand they've corrected their mistake, phew! :-)

rpurfield · 05-04-2012 5:19pm

right lads cards on the table with the championships i havent seen any club football so far this year whos gonna win the various championships.ive already been told ratoath will win the junior but i hear that most years!!i think theres no real stand out club team in meath for a good while now

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