Where are they now?

Bonniedog wrote: »

when they beat us in 2008 (?) 21s final, I thought he was Galway's most effective player, Dublin had some very good forwards, Connolly was on the team, and they got little change that day.

That was 2007, not 2008.

Good piece here on Kerry's Jack Ferriter. Another one who didn't get the rub of the green and a bit of bad luck it seems.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.balls.ie/amp/gaa/jack-ferriter-kerry-417200


Re: Pa O'Callaghan for cork. Probably the best club hurler in cork for a number of years. Looks to have put a bit of weight on the last few years. I believe he had a baby young and coupled with the falling out with Minor management probably didn't suit him to give his time to the Cork. Still young enough however.

David Bray Made his debut in 09 when Meath reached semi final. Scored winning goal v Mayo in quater final. Many believed he was better talent then brother Stephen. He had serious pace and looked a huge prospect. While he won county title with O Mahonys , he suffered two cruciate injuries in a few seasons and never played a championship match for Meath again. He retired from inter county game in his mid 20s.

Cian Ward had a decent career for Meath but bigger things were expected. He is still doing business with Wolfe Tones , and an excellent pundit with Parkinson. He was let go to early by Mick O Dowd , but he never really delivered on promise. The 4 points from frees in last 15 mins as a sub v to give Meath draw v Dublin in 07 , the brillant goal v Dublin in 10 and 4 goals scored in championship match v Louth in 2011 showed his promise. But he could have been a Meath great. The chopping and changing of managers didnt help him or Brian Farrell or Joe Sheridans career.

Conor Gillespie made his debut in 2012 at 21 and according to Jack O Shea gave midfield performance of the year in leinster semi final v kildare. Again in 2013 he was brillant at midfield v Dubs on leinster final which was last time any team in leinster got close to Dublin. He was instrumental of Summerhill winning 2 county titles at time. But after 2013 with his back injury he made very few performances and never played in championship again for Meath. In 2015 he played final game for Meath a league game v Down in Newry and he again put on exhibition of midfield play. But that was it . He had to retire at 25 with back injury. For me he had it all to be top class midfielder. He could have been John McDermont for Meath in this decade. He had it all and had brillant kick pass similar to David Moran. He is no longer playing football, but was selector on current Meath minor team

Gillespie was not only player that could have been great midfielder for Meath. The other was Shane O Rourke, Colms son. Shane could have become one of best players in country . He won leinster minor for Meath. He the. made his debut at full forward in 2007 at 19 the year Meath reached All Ireland semi final and beat great Tyrone team of 00s in q final. He looked like a real prospect at 19. And had also played a huge role in St Pats winning All Ireland schools final. He suffered injuries after 2007 in 09 but returned in 2010 when Meath won leinster . He had it al. People in 07 where calling him Meaths Kieran Donaghy . But he wasnt a target man. He could score of two feet. He got injured after 2010. But returned as a midfielder in 2011 2012. I felt he wasnt the same player when he came back in 2011 but he reinvented himself as a midfielder.

He gave a brillant performance in Navan in championship in 2011 v kildare and he looked like he had all the abilities to become one best midfielders in the country. But he suffered a injury to his back and while he won 2 county titles with Simonstown in last few seasons. After 2014 he never played championship for Meath again. He basically is retired from inter county game at 27. He has played very little club football in last 12 months. But came on as sub in Meath club q final at weekend and scored excellent point. He cannot train properly and his back injury is very sore. A huge loss to Meath.

If Meath had Conor Gillespie and Shane O Rourke at midfield this year ( both are still 27 ) they would have had one best midfield partnerships in the country instead we had two wing backs at centre field. David Bray is in his late 20s and he is a player that could have also been a real player for Meath.

And throw in Conor Nash heading to Auzzie rules ( Nash was probably most exciting young Meath talent since Geraghty played minor in 90 and under 21 in 1993. Nash is also a midfielder.)
If Meath had Gillespie, O Rourke and Nash all options at midfield, Meath would have had midfield up their with Dublin and kerry. Players like Shane O Rourke and Conor Nash are irreplaceable. Throw in Harry Rooney who also look a good prospect for midfield in 2014 and 2015. While not as good Gillespie or O Rourke he could have replaced them. But he hasnt played a championship match for Meath since 2015 , he went travelling the world for 2 years , he came back for 1 league campaign , but left before last years championship. He is 26 played for Skyrne at weekend in club w final. He is another option Meath lost at midfield. Then throw in Ronan Jones who made his debut in 2017 and was excellent v louth in championship. He would be in my view best midfielder in Meath. But he hadnt played since 2017 as he has spent last 2 years studying in US. The hope was he would be back this year , but that might materialise as he might be staying in US for another year. He is 24.

So Meath have been lost 5 potential midfielders in last few years eg Conor Gillespie; Shane O Rourke, Conor Nash , Harry Rooney and Ronan Jones . Theyre no county in Ireland that wouldnt find it difficult to lose all the midfielders. Thats why we had to turn Menton who really is wing back into midfielder and why Menton has had 8 different midfield partners for Meath in last 2 years eg Shane McEntee, Adam Flanagan, Harry Rooney , Cian O Brien, James Toher , Sean Toibin, Ronan Jones and Brian Conlon. And currently we have had to turn Shane McEntee a wing back into midfielder. And u seen in last ten mins v Donegal, Mayo and kerry the issues this caused. Meaths main problem in last ten minutes v Mayo , Donegal and Kerry was Meath were struggling at midfield. The goalie was under pressure with kickouts. But if Meath had Gillespie, O Rourke, Nash or Jones at centre field it would have really helped.

But overall due to injuries Shane O Rourke, Conor Gillespie and David Bray were huge loses for Meath.