Replying To Furlong1949:  "Of course Im not saying it has all to do with tradition. There are 20 or 30 reasons are more why a county is sucessful. But tradition is one of the reasons that can play a role. To deny that would be nonsense. Of course teams can have sucess with no tradition. Everyone starts off with no tradition. We have had 4 new All Ireland winners in the last 25 years. Were are they from Ulster eg Derry Donegal Armagh abd Tyrone.

Why Ulster? . Ulster have had the best players best managers best tactics. But now they have created a winning tradition. The reasons why Tyrone and Armagh made the breakthrough in 02 and 03 was because they had great players and great managers. But also they could look to the sucess of neighbours like Derry and Donegal and this also helped. Why didnt Laois make the breakthrough and Armagh did. Armagh had better players and a better manager. They also come from provience that now has a winning tradition. Tyrone Donegal players dont fear Dublin or Kerry. Why should they when they saw Ulster teams like Derry Down and Donegal all beat Dublin in the 90s.

Regards Meath appearing on the scene in 1949. It didnt happen over night. It took 15 years for Meath to build to 1949. Meath were resurgent in the 30s. Meath won national league div 1 title in 1933. And narrowly lost an All Ireland senior final to kerry by 2 points in 1939. They won leinster titles in 1939 1940 and 1947. And they also won the national league div 1 title in the early 1940s. So Meath did not appear overnight. They were building from the 1930s onwards. Meath where a top division 1 team from the early 1930s onwards. That was not an overnight sucess.

Of course to beat Dublin you need top players great underage and work and an investment in time and money. It depends on the standard of player and manager you have. These are the single most important things. But you need belief also. And this is where tradition can help. Tradition can give you belief. Look at Mayo. Clearly Mayo are good enough to win Sam. They should have won the last two years. But the weight of history to close that gap since 51 is a massive weight. No team in gaelic football has won an All Ireland after a 40 year gap. When you dont win for generations the weight of history becomes a massive issue. Look how it took the golden generation of Irish rugby players to win the grand slam after 60 year gap. We had better players then Wales. But Wales won more. The weight of history was an issue. In soccer only Chelsea have won the league after a 50 year gap. Even in pro sport it has a role. And in Gaa why did Galway beat Mayo not Roscommon recently. I think the tradition of Galway football had a role.

Howcome I believe that Meath will win a leinster title in the next few years. And I meet many people in Meath at all different ages from young to old who think the same. When I meet kildare supporters very few have any sort of believe that kildare will beat Dublin in the coming years. They hope but they lack belief. I hope but I also believe and expect like many of my fellow Royals that we wil. Maybe of the below facts and stats will explain what give us this belief. A long winning tradition v the Dubs. Is it not better to have it then dont have it. Its not the main thing for sucess. But it can help.

Who was the last team to beat Dublin at underage in leinster ? Meath
Who was the last team to hammer Dublin at underage in leinster? Meath
Who was the last team to get close to Dublin in leinster? Meath in 2013
Who was the last team to beat Dublin at senior level in leinster? Meath
Who was the last team to hammer Dublin at senior kevel in leinster? Meath
Who was the last team to draw with Dublin in leinster at senior level ? Meath
Who was the last team to beat Dublin in a senior leinster final? Meath
Who was the last team to beat Dublin to beat Dublin two years in a row in leinster at senior level? Meath
Who was the last team to beat Dublin three years in a row in leinster? Meath

So who has the best tradition and best record v Dublin in the country? Meath

Stats
Kildare have beaten Dublin twice in leinster in 45 years
Offaly have not beaten Dublin in 35 years in leinster
Louth have not beaten Dublin in over 40 years in leinster
Longford have not beaten Dublin in 50 years in leinster
Westmeath have only beaten Dublin 1 time in over 70 years in leinster
Laois have only beaten Dublin 1 time in the last 35 years in leinster. And twice in the last 60 years in leinster.
Wexford have not beaten Dublin in over 70 years in leinster.
Wicklow have not beaten Dublin in over 70 years in leinster
Carlow have not beaten Dublin in over 70 years in leinster

Meath have beaten Dublin 10 times and had 4 draws v Dublin in the last 35 years in leinster. Only kerry come close with 5 wins. The two teams with best winning tradition v the Dubs.

Who will be the team to topple next outside leinster. More then likely Kerry. Who will be the team to topple Dublin in leinster next?. I believe it will be Meath. And Im not the only Meath person that thinks that. We are years behind Dublin. But we will beat them in the coming years. Its not a question of if but a question of when. Probaly in 2020 or 2021. Every generation of Meath footballers have beaten Dublin in every decade since the 20s . We did it in the 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 00s and this decade. We dominated the Dubs in the 40s 50s 60s 80s and 90s. No teams has had that level of consitent sucess over Dublin. No team has had more sucess over Dublin in the country then Meath. Thats why one of the reasons are under 17 defeated Dublin in leinster final last year. And our minor hammered them two years.l ago. They were good footballers with good management. And good work has been done at underage level. But they were also standing on the shoulders of Meath greats. Our tradition of beating Dublin generation after generation has been taken on by our next generation. Now that is not nonense. That is Meath football. That's what we do. Beat the Dubs.
Is it not better to have the tradition then dont have it. It is not negative thing to have a tradition. Theres no harm in believing is there?"

Replying To royal69er:  "Huge game for us this weekend. Our performance, win or lose, will show how far we have progressed under Andy. I think we're movin along nicely and was good to see lads giving 100% trying to press clare in their own half when time was up, that comes from Andy. If any team regardless of ability give 100% from start to finish they will be hard to beat and that will also come from Andy. We have a young team which is a plus in that they're more open to being moulded into what Andy wants them to be. It's great to follow Meath around the country and know we're gonna put up a fight, hasn't happened for a while but I think it might be on the way back. I've always liked McGill he's a no nonsense player and he's growing with every game, likewise Flanagan. As other posters have said we now have 3 midfielders fighting for 2 places which can only be good. All in all we've a lot to look forward to but there will be bad days on the way, hopefully saturday night is not one of them."

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "You speak all about history and tradition I too think it can't be ignored. I think the differance sometimes can as for an example part of meath u17's mgmt team was martin oconnell 3 time all Ireland winner and a place in team of the milliuem. I don't any other team in Leinster have someone like that has seen and done it all and if that dosent inspire a young lad nothing will."

Replying To royaldunne:  "I don't know. While we certainly won't see the 14 point turnaround like last time we met. I for one wouldn't underestimate Cavan for one second, we are going to lose a game in league, I just hope it's not this weekend, I was a hell of a lot more confident going to Hyde than I am to breffni , the reason is twofold, 1 Cavan are not a one man team unlike rossies and 2 , Cavan have a decent management, unlike the 2 spoofers in Roscommon, massaging each other's inflated ego , probably telling each other all the time how they deserve a all ire medal, anyway for that I think Cavan possesses a more dangerous meeting than we have had this year."

Replying To pauk123:  "Agree Cavan have a decent management team but they had 10 opt outs from last year's panel, not good for them. I wouldn't be surprised if Cavan fail to win another game in the league. They are lucky Louth and Clare are in the division as I think they're worse. Expect a comfortable enough win. If we have any realistic designs on promotion it's a must win."

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "I see there 6 changes from the team that played Clare to team that played Louth. Did some Cavan players return ?"

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "I see there 6 changes from the team that played Clare to team that played Louth. Did some Cavan players return ?"

Replying To Furlong1949:  "Yes if a player like Martin O Connell doesnt inspire young player no one will. He is one the greatest defenders of all time. Only modern player on the team of the millenium. You are right no other county in leinster outside Dublin would have a player as decorated O Connell. He is one of the most sucessful footballers in the history of leinster football. In the last 90 years since the foundation of the state outside Dublin only 3 leinster men have 3 All Ireland winning medals . They are Martin Furlong 1971 1972 1982 Offaly Colm Coyle 87 88 96 and O Connell 87 88 96. Only Wexford players on the 4 in a row 1914 to 1918 Wexford All Ireland winning team would be more sucessful footballers in leinster outside Dublin, then Martin Connell. He truly is one of the players of millenium."

Replying To fredflint:  "Yes. We had a few players that were injured just getting back towards match fitness. Cian Mackey played a full half and Gearoid McKiernan came on with 15 mins left. Two key players.

Conor Moynagh, last years ctr back, again coming back from injury started against Louth - came on as a sub against Clare.

Niall Murray regular last year had a prolonged run with Cavan Gaels in the Ulster club, Gaels lads only went back in training few weeks ago. He didnt feature at all against Clare but started against Louth. Stephen Murray and Sean Johnston also from Gaels returned to the bench.

Martin Reilly was away getting married and doing the honeymoon so missed McKenna cup and 1st league game, started against Louth.

We changed Goalies with Farrelly coming in for Galligan. Galligan is most likely to start against Meath though.

Adrian Cole started against Louth having missed Clare. He is new to the panel but is one of the best forwards in club football.

I wouldnt read to much into the Clare game, there was a lot of negative talk in the county about the falling away of a few players but with a lot of key lads coming back and a bit of momentum I expect Cavan to win this game. Mackey likely to start and Gearoid probably will get a half."

Replying To GlasagusOr:  "Down were is disarray last year (when Meath produced their worst away performance in the league) ... there is no room for complacency against Cavan. Meath may well be in better shape now, but they must put in a performance for more than 20-35 minutes."

Replying To UsernameInvalid:  "If we switch off for 5-10 minutes tomorrow at any stage Cavan could punish us be getting a lead that we may not claw back as they won't be as open at the back like Clare and Longford so scores will be more difficult to come by.
I expect the first half to be absolute muck by both sides as neither will go all out attack. Cavans ability to catch teams on the counter has been one of their strengths in the last few years, it's very similar to Tyrone and Donegal.

Regarding the team selection I would keep it the same as the last day and have the likes of Lenihan to come on at half time when we try to open it up."

Replying To seadog54:  "We seem to be in a good position at the moment but have not become worldbeaters overnight, this is a 50/50 game and I,m sure Cavan expect home advantage to swing it for them. A win for either would be a great result and set up a promotion push, loser will most lightly remain in Div 2, so plenty at stake"

Replying To nobull456:  "" Seem to be in a good position at the moment" not sure what you mean by that ? A repeat of first half last day will mean defeat against Cavan. HOPING that rubbish will not be repeated. This game will tell us if we have learned; for example 7 balls kicked short into keepers hands in first half....thats rubbish by any standards. The only positives i see full back line improving. Midfielders improving with each other with hard work . i still cannot see forwards working as a team where each player is taking responsibility for scoring attempts when feasible. Most forwards too slow to use space to take a pass.Need to be far more pro active to receive quick direct ball. Mc Keever looks promising and seems alert. Hope Reilly can maintain persistence and concentration ,and use his undoubted talents for full game.We need him at his best.
I expect to see a big improvement from team overall . At best we are developing ,and a work in progress. This match will tell us more."

Replying To royaldunne:  "Sit back let them come at us, for first half. HOPING FOR EXACTLY same tactics as v clare. It's how we play now. Embrace it."

Replying To nobull456:  "NO.........IT IS NOT. That is NOT a "tactic" at all . Andy does not condone that rubbish. You will NOT see it again....hopefully. You should ask some of the players what he thought of the "tactic'" Furthermore ,i suggest it is an insult to Andy to suggest he would condone that rubbish. Andy is better than that !!"