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Meath V Down

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100% concentration required for our friends across the Boyne next Sunday. Cannot depend on Tipp beating Down. It's in our own hands now so a win is required, performance would be a bonus to boost matters for our long lost lost friend, the O'Byrne Cup and then Longford. Both Westmeath and Longford had bad days today so we could win both and still not know where we stand but it is great to have everything in our own hands.

So players make it happen.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 742 - 25/03/2018 17:11:52    2087755

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Well done lads a great win, couldn't make the game bye to poxy work but nearly broke the iPhone when Tobin hit the fourth goal, great result and by all I hear a much improved performance. Some woeful refereeing decisions again I believe but we got over them and a 9 point win is massive, roll on Drogheda and we finish the job.......

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3590 - 25/03/2018 17:15:48    2087762

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good win today...well done to Andy and the lads

Hopefully we will finish the job next week....or a better mind set we will finish the job next week.

WhyTheLongFace (Meath) - Posts: 829 - 25/03/2018 18:27:00    2087813

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that's more like it lads

meath1977 (Meath) - Posts: 459 - 25/03/2018 18:27:44    2087814

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Replying To Richieq:  "Well done lads a great win, couldn't make the game bye to poxy work but nearly broke the iPhone when Tobin hit the fourth goal, great result and by all I hear a much improved performance. Some woeful refereeing decisions again I believe but we got over them and a 9 point win is massive, roll on Drogheda and we finish the job......."
Ref was awful. But I've come to expect that.
The players played out of their skins, Andy got every call right. If we had done this up to today we would be promoted but we are where we are. Colgan phenomenal save within first minute, McGill lavin power did well in backs. Also lot more structured half back line both mentees and keoghan much better today. Midfield was still hit and miss , that been said we fought more for the breaking ball Reilly was just magnificent again today as was cillian.
Ben did a lot of the donkey work Wallace ran his legs off, yes made a few errors but also tried very hard,
Leninhane was much better today as was mckeever delighted to see kennelly back and he really did well.
Overall cannot complain. Was it a perfect display? No but it was more structured and better executed than we have seen since Clare game.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 17035 - 25/03/2018 18:28:25    2087816

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Ref was awful. But I've come to expect that.
The players played out of their skins, Andy got every call right. If we had done this up to today we would be promoted but we are where we are. Colgan phenomenal save within first minute, McGill lavin power did well in backs. Also lot more structured half back line both mentees and keoghan much better today. Midfield was still hit and miss , that been said we fought more for the breaking ball Reilly was just magnificent again today as was cillian.
Ben did a lot of the donkey work Wallace ran his legs off, yes made a few errors but also tried very hard,
Leninhane was much better today as was mckeever delighted to see kennelly back and he really did well.
Overall cannot complain. Was it a perfect display? No but it was more structured and better executed than we have seen since Clare game."
Yeah must say that everyone played well today lots of postives from today's performance. Players look fit and seem to have the energy for 70 minutes. Our running game and patience on the ball where two of the main postives from today's game. Kick outs are still a big problem seem to have no system bar the wing backs run towards the keeper and the ball is played out to the space where they have left which just wasnt working. Also colgan kicks have way to much hang time and gives the opposition lots of time to get body's around for breaks. Any kickouts that where to the wingbacks was nearly impossble to win as they were running away from the ball and it was going over the head to catch which is very difficult to catch. The half backs and half forwards done well worked there socks off and these positions are the key to this system which requires serious running and being confident on the ball. Also on a negative points some but not all fans giving out about players going backwards and sideways as a joke today. They might think that this is helping the situation but I feel that it's not helping as they have there system of getting numbers behind the ball and try to break at pace it sometimes there is periods in games where u have to keep possession and be patient and fans shouting kick it in or giving out and making noise isn't helping as there trying to get use to playing this way

Meath4Sam2020 (Meath) - Posts: 122 - 25/03/2018 19:01:37    2087853

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Ref was awful. But I've come to expect that.
The players played out of their skins, Andy got every call right. If we had done this up to today we would be promoted but we are where we are. Colgan phenomenal save within first minute, McGill lavin power did well in backs. Also lot more structured half back line both mentees and keoghan much better today. Midfield was still hit and miss , that been said we fought more for the breaking ball Reilly was just magnificent again today as was cillian.
Ben did a lot of the donkey work Wallace ran his legs off, yes made a few errors but also tried very hard,
Leninhane was much better today as was mckeever delighted to see kennelly back and he really did well.
Overall cannot complain. Was it a perfect display? No but it was more structured and better executed than we have seen since Clare game."
Good analysis Royaldunne. Hard to disagree especially regarding the referee. He had a howler!

I would say though that we were totally cleaned out in midfield. We have not addressed this issue in any way.

Job done onward to Louth and make sure we play our own game and not get dragged into a dogfight

Royalio11 (Meath) - Posts: 750 - 25/03/2018 19:04:12    2087854

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Replying To Meath4Sam2020:  "Yeah must say that everyone played well today lots of postives from today's performance. Players look fit and seem to have the energy for 70 minutes. Our running game and patience on the ball where two of the main postives from today's game. Kick outs are still a big problem seem to have no system bar the wing backs run towards the keeper and the ball is played out to the space where they have left which just wasnt working. Also colgan kicks have way to much hang time and gives the opposition lots of time to get body's around for breaks. Any kickouts that where to the wingbacks was nearly impossble to win as they were running away from the ball and it was going over the head to catch which is very difficult to catch. The half backs and half forwards done well worked there socks off and these positions are the key to this system which requires serious running and being confident on the ball. Also on a negative points some but not all fans giving out about players going backwards and sideways as a joke today. They might think that this is helping the situation but I feel that it's not helping as they have there system of getting numbers behind the ball and try to break at pace it sometimes there is periods in games where u have to keep possession and be patient and fans shouting kick it in or giving out and making noise isn't helping as there trying to get use to playing this way"
Yes absolutely agree fans need to understand sometimes you have to be patient and play keep ball.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 17035 - 25/03/2018 19:19:43    2087869

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Replying To Royalio11:  "Good analysis Royaldunne. Hard to disagree especially regarding the referee. He had a howler!

I would say though that we were totally cleaned out in midfield. We have not addressed this issue in any way.

Job done onward to Louth and make sure we play our own game and not get dragged into a dogfight"
Yeah I suppose the real negative from a Meath view was midfield, maybe Kennelly is a option??

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 17035 - 25/03/2018 19:21:56    2087871

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Yes absolutely agree fans need to understand sometimes you have to be patient and play keep ball."
Yeah it was the one thing that annoyed me about the game today every time we passed backwards there would be shouts to kick it in or run forward. Don't think people understand theses players aren't robots and everyone can't run forward and back for 70 minutes no stop and there has to be periods where we just slow it down keep possession and try and wait till there's an opening.

Meath4Sam2020 (Meath) - Posts: 122 - 25/03/2018 19:58:04    2087898

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Replying To Meath4Sam2020:  "Yeah it was the one thing that annoyed me about the game today every time we passed backwards there would be shouts to kick it in or run forward. Don't think people understand theses players aren't robots and everyone can't run forward and back for 70 minutes no stop and there has to be periods where we just slow it down keep possession and try and wait till there's an opening."
Yeah I actually said it to a couple of older lads besides me when there was about 15 minutes left Down had got going and we were rightfully slowing play down and passing back waiting for a opening, they were saying that's not football and it's a disgrace, I said hang on, they slowing game down , they are right, what's the point in kicking in 50/50 ball and loosing possession? Don't think they were happy, but it's called playing cute, it's what separate those who can win matches and those who throw it away. I was actually glad to see it, same with the tackles late on out far enough not to do damage rather than close in, cork did it to us and dubs Mayo Kerry Kildare are all doing it, we have to get up to speed with what it takes to win matches in the modern game. Fans particularly need to know not to get on players backs when they doing the sensible thing.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 17035 - 25/03/2018 20:33:47    2087929

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Yeah I actually said it to a couple of older lads besides me when there was about 15 minutes left Down had got going and we were rightfully slowing play down and passing back waiting for a opening, they were saying that's not football and it's a disgrace, I said hang on, they slowing game down , they are right, what's the point in kicking in 50/50 ball and loosing possession? Don't think they were happy, but it's called playing cute, it's what separate those who can win matches and those who throw it away. I was actually glad to see it, same with the tackles late on out far enough not to do damage rather than close in, cork did it to us and dubs Mayo Kerry Kildare are all doing it, we have to get up to speed with what it takes to win matches in the modern game. Fans particularly need to know not to get on players backs when they doing the sensible thing."
I agree with what you said there you could see our system starting to work today yes down were very open at the back and yes certain Meath supporters moan when they don't kick the ball long but football has changed and we are trying to adapt

meath1977 (Meath) - Posts: 459 - 25/03/2018 20:44:35    2087937

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I was not at the game today so interested in the performance really. In hindsight today was all about the result in terms of staying in Division 2 but a good performance was a bonus.

The score itself would indicate an improved performance but I would be interested to see from posters if the performance was down to us or the quality of the opposition? Like I say not being there I don't know.

A draw now will be good enough to retain our status but you would hope we could finish with a flourish and win the Louth game.

Interesting that the two teams relegated from Division 1 last year both bounced back this year and that would indicate a gap widening between the two divisions.

I know certain people here will run down Roscommon but for 55 mins against us they were much better than us and should have put the game to bed. Injuries, and fitness levels told against them in the last 15 mins and they really should not have been able to score that last second goal. After that game they seemed to improve further.

If as I would now expect, we retain our Division 2 status it will be a tough league next year and that is exactly why its so important that we stay there. Playing the likes of Donegal, Kildare, Cork, Tipperary and Armagh has got to tell you more about your team than the opposition in Division 3.

Finally Derry being relegated to Division 4 has got to be the biggest surprise of the overall league campaign, maybe only equaled by Cork if they end up in Division 3.

ROYALOPTIMIST (Meath) - Posts: 178 - 25/03/2018 20:45:53    2087939

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Yeah I actually said it to a couple of older lads besides me when there was about 15 minutes left Down had got going and we were rightfully slowing play down and passing back waiting for a opening, they were saying that's not football and it's a disgrace, I said hang on, they slowing game down , they are right, what's the point in kicking in 50/50 ball and loosing possession? Don't think they were happy, but it's called playing cute, it's what separate those who can win matches and those who throw it away. I was actually glad to see it, same with the tackles late on out far enough not to do damage rather than close in, cork did it to us and dubs Mayo Kerry Kildare are all doing it, we have to get up to speed with what it takes to win matches in the modern game. Fans particularly need to know not to get on players backs when they doing the sensible thing."
100% agree it's the way the modern game has gone its about getting numbers behind the ball and u have to try and break at speed or slowly with possession Meath fans need to understand and be patient and supportive rather than critices

Meath4Sam2020 (Meath) - Posts: 122 - 25/03/2018 20:46:18    2087940

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Good win. O'Sullivan was outstanding. Beat Louth now and we actually might have a bit of positivity around the team for the first time in a while.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 768 - 25/03/2018 20:57:52    2087949

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Replying To Meath4Sam2020:  "Yeah it was the one thing that annoyed me about the game today every time we passed backwards there would be shouts to kick it in or run forward. Don't think people understand theses players aren't robots and everyone can't run forward and back for 70 minutes no stop and there has to be periods where we just slow it down keep possession and try and wait till there's an opening."
I agree some supporters shouting "kick it in" with nobody inside makes you wonder have some people a clue at all. Not clued in to the modern game. I suppose we are trying to copy the Donegals and the Tyrones of the past 10 years but with a bit of fine tuning to do? And not having somebody up front needs to be addressed or perhaps we could do with maybe developing a new type of game to suit the players we have. You know most ot the media referred to Sean Boylan's approach as typical 'catch and kick' and never really understood that team's game plan!! I remember one day in Croke Park when we were given a free about the middle of the field, Liam Hayes carefully placed the ball and Liam Harlan ran up and off the ground delivered a kick on to Bernard Flynn's chest and a lad beside me, from another county said "Ja..s that Harnan is even too thick to place the ball...just f...ng boots it" next thing Bernie had the ball over the bar....no point in trying to explain anything to a lad like that. It was also not noted that then we always had a good big fielder in every line so the option for a quick ball and thereby vary our approach was always there and even to this day can counteract the blanket defence.

If we could address midfield, get a typical old style No 6 who would hold the centre and a good strong targetmam we would be on the road to recovery. Ideally that target man would be in the mound of Colm O'Rourke or Graham Geraghty. Now I know they don't grow on trees but somebody in that mound is required.

The dream lives on but we must win the battle of the Boyne mk2018 first.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 742 - 25/03/2018 21:06:34    2087953

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Replying To MillerX:  "I agree some supporters shouting "kick it in" with nobody inside makes you wonder have some people a clue at all. Not clued in to the modern game. I suppose we are trying to copy the Donegals and the Tyrones of the past 10 years but with a bit of fine tuning to do? And not having somebody up front needs to be addressed or perhaps we could do with maybe developing a new type of game to suit the players we have. You know most ot the media referred to Sean Boylan's approach as typical 'catch and kick' and never really understood that team's game plan!! I remember one day in Croke Park when we were given a free about the middle of the field, Liam Hayes carefully placed the ball and Liam Harlan ran up and off the ground delivered a kick on to Bernard Flynn's chest and a lad beside me, from another county said "Ja..s that Harnan is even too thick to place the ball...just f...ng boots it" next thing Bernie had the ball over the bar....no point in trying to explain anything to a lad like that. It was also not noted that then we always had a good big fielder in every line so the option for a quick ball and thereby vary our approach was always there and even to this day can counteract the blanket defence.

If we could address midfield, get a typical old style No 6 who would hold the centre and a good strong targetmam we would be on the road to recovery. Ideally that target man would be in the mound of Colm O'Rourke or Graham Geraghty. Now I know they don't grow on trees but somebody in that mound is required.

The dream lives on but we must win the battle of the Boyne mk2018 first."
Yeah that's it in a nutshell

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 17035 - 25/03/2018 22:04:01    2087995

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This game today just proved we are a winning team. Lads were terrific out there today & showed what a good team we truly are. 70 mins played by 15 very fit men. Cillian O sullivan what a man! The lines man was equally as bad as the ref. A disgrace to the gaa...but we didnt need them on ourside anyway we played out if our skins and it paid off.
Got a good chuckle when the offical announced a pair of glasses were handed in & the terrace erupted laughing saying they were the refs! Great atmosphere today great to see that passion back in people.
Go and win Louth next Sunday will give the lads that extra boost.

Loyalroyal17 (Meath) - Posts: 627 - 25/03/2018 22:23:43    2088001

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Curious what ppl think but I think this team is built for good weather and a good surface like there always is in Navan. First game we played in a while where the weather was decent and suits our physique.
That said nice too see our forwards scoring, our defense looking good and midfield improving. The opposition wasn't the greatest but game still had to be won ( against ulster opposition who are tough for us )
Nothing won yet and expecting tough game with Louth . Lot of pride at stake for the Louth boys. Up the Royal

MeathWawa (Meath) - Posts: 61 - 25/03/2018 22:46:09    2088025

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That win really papered over a poor performance again bar a few lads .....but at the this stage it doesn't matter....only about the Win

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 709 - 26/03/2018 07:43:38    2088082

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