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Replying To LoyalRoyal: "Not much point in over analysing it. We completed well for possession but the nerves from the forwards and the quality of Dublin's defending was too much. It's a learning experience for this team and management. No point dwelling on it just focus on the next day. We're not as comfortable in Croke Park as we used to be and we're not used to playing teams of Dublin's quality. These players need to get to the last 8 and get a bit more big game experience. It's a long road back to the top and days like today are just going to be part of that process. If we just throw our hands up in despair we'll slide back to where we came from." Totally agree
cabbage (Meath) - Posts: 143 - 23/06/2019 21:56:07
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Super 8 Group- Donegal, Kerry and who ever comes through from Meath v Qualifier and Galway v Qualifier is this correct?
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 1432 - 23/06/2019 21:59:26
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Replying To Young_gael: "I think for the benefit of our panel and management its best to just take today as it was. This result and performance was always a distinct possibility. And as I said earlier, it could have been much worse. Its essentially a race for the All-Ireland silver medal now between every county bar Dublin and deep down we all know it.
Its a forum, an open square here, but for us, we'd do well to stop knocking players lads (myself included! I hate picking at individuals I have to say) because 1) there's a distinct possibility that lads in the set-up might see these posts, 2) it makes no odds, we have a team better than the sum of its parts as we already knew, 3) they're dedicating a lot of their time and effort to the betterment of this team, and 4) we're still in the championship. We're back in Division 1 and we're a game off the Top 8 in the country. All is not lost. That Meath team can challenge anyone on their day. They'll take today as a learning curve and move on. They have to. If they take today personally and the insults which will come with a loss like that vs. Dublin, then they'll never be satisfied or fulfilled as players. Today was a horrific spectacle which makes me fear for the future but it does not take away from a good year for Meath, and the potential for more to come. Well done to the hurlers and the Junior team as well, so often ignored as in this very post. Up the royals." My thoughts too. Drive on & learn from our errors!
David (Meath) - Posts: 566 - 23/06/2019 22:05:48
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James Conlon was built up by some to be the Lionel Messi of GAA after one championship start against a bang average Laois side a few weeks ago, and now, having played against one of the great teams, there are people throwing the lad under the bus. "He isn't good enough".. "He isn't strong enough" - Give the fella a break. He is still a kid with only 2 senior championship starts under his belt, He will mature into a really important player for Meath over the next few years but ultimately the fact you where putting your hopes on a boy against a team of perennial winning men and expecting him to move mountains was unrealistic and wrong, just like the criticism of him now is wrong. Just let the fella develop over the years and see what happens.
That's where the nice comments end from me unfortunately, cause the performance of Meath today was pathetic. I tried to warn the guys getting overly giddy that Meath had not come up against a team of any real note yet and today would be the acid test, and they absolutely fell asunder as I expected but even I didnt see such a rabbit in the headlight like performance coming. There is no doubt Meath have improved and getting to Division 1 is massive going forward where they can play the likes of Dublin, Kerry, Mayo, Tyrone, Donegal etc over the course of the winter/spring which will bring Meath on, but to expect to rock up today and just put it up to Dublin was totally unrealistic. Its a sobering reminder that the gulf between D1 teams and D2 teams is still astronomical and beating Clare, Armagh, Kildare and Fermanagh is well and good, but you have to up it 100% for the top, crème de la crème of the sport, Which Dublin are.
Meath need to take a day or two to just get over that. They still had a really good year, they are still achieving their goals of promotion, getting to a leinster final and possibly making the super 8's, but you cant afford to sit around admiring yourselves either because as soon as you do, you become complacent and before you know it, youre back to square one. Its imperative now that Meath don't go in to full on panic mode. Today showed how far Meath still are away from Dublin, but theyre still on the right road and long term for the sustainability of the project from your point of view (not mine, sorry) you simply have to stay in D1 next year, Staying in D1 next year is already more important in 2020 than winning a leinster because if you can maintain your D1 status, chances are youll start reaching the later stages of the All Ireland and competing/beating a top top team when you are consistently playing them. For now though your year isn't over, but its very hard to see how Meath recover from this
waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13574 - 23/06/2019 22:13:46
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Just came across answer to my own question.
Group 1
Kerry - Munster champions
Donegal - Ulster champions
Galway/Qualifier winner
Meath/Qualifier winner
Group 2
Dublin - Leinster champions
Roscommon - Connacht champions
Cork/Qualifier winner
Cavan/Qualifier winner
seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 1432 - 23/06/2019 22:18:05
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Replying To waynoI: "James Conlon was built up by some to be the Lionel Messi of GAA after one championship start against a bang average Laois side a few weeks ago, and now, having played against one of the great teams, there are people throwing the lad under the bus. "He isn't good enough".. "He isn't strong enough" - Give the fella a break. He is still a kid with only 2 senior championship starts under his belt, He will mature into a really important player for Meath over the next few years but ultimately the fact you where putting your hopes on a boy against a team of perennial winning men and expecting him to move mountains was unrealistic and wrong, just like the criticism of him now is wrong. Just let the fella develop over the years and see what happens.
That's where the nice comments end from me unfortunately, cause the performance of Meath today was pathetic. I tried to warn the guys getting overly giddy that Meath had not come up against a team of any real note yet and today would be the acid test, and they absolutely fell asunder as I expected but even I didnt see such a rabbit in the headlight like performance coming. There is no doubt Meath have improved and getting to Division 1 is massive going forward where they can play the likes of Dublin, Kerry, Mayo, Tyrone, Donegal etc over the course of the winter/spring which will bring Meath on, but to expect to rock up today and just put it up to Dublin was totally unrealistic. Its a sobering reminder that the gulf between D1 teams and D2 teams is still astronomical and beating Clare, Armagh, Kildare and Fermanagh is well and good, but you have to up it 100% for the top, crème de la crème of the sport, Which Dublin are.
Meath need to take a day or two to just get over that. They still had a really good year, they are still achieving their goals of promotion, getting to a leinster final and possibly making the super 8's, but you cant afford to sit around admiring yourselves either because as soon as you do, you become complacent and before you know it, youre back to square one. Its imperative now that Meath don't go in to full on panic mode. Today showed how far Meath still are away from Dublin, but theyre still on the right road and long term for the sustainability of the project from your point of view (not mine, sorry) you simply have to stay in D1 next year, Staying in D1 next year is already more important in 2020 than winning a leinster because if you can maintain your D1 status, chances are youll start reaching the later stages of the All Ireland and competing/beating a top top team when you are consistently playing them. For now though your year isn't over, but its very hard to see how Meath recover from this" From a dub I was reading expecting to disagree but that's all fair enough.
It's only one game, albeit one where our attack misfired. But you'd have to imagine it won't be that bad again, and if we win the next game we would have another 3 games to put things somewhat right.
I cannot imagine it will take much to motivate this team who I am sure will have wanted to give a better account of themselves.
Win the next one and we're right back in the mix!
cabbage (Meath) - Posts: 143 - 23/06/2019 22:25:37
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Replying To waynoI: "James Conlon was built up by some to be the Lionel Messi of GAA after one championship start against a bang average Laois side a few weeks ago, and now, having played against one of the great teams, there are people throwing the lad under the bus. "He isn't good enough".. "He isn't strong enough" - Give the fella a break. He is still a kid with only 2 senior championship starts under his belt, He will mature into a really important player for Meath over the next few years but ultimately the fact you where putting your hopes on a boy against a team of perennial winning men and expecting him to move mountains was unrealistic and wrong, just like the criticism of him now is wrong. Just let the fella develop over the years and see what happens.
That's where the nice comments end from me unfortunately, cause the performance of Meath today was pathetic. I tried to warn the guys getting overly giddy that Meath had not come up against a team of any real note yet and today would be the acid test, and they absolutely fell asunder as I expected but even I didnt see such a rabbit in the headlight like performance coming. There is no doubt Meath have improved and getting to Division 1 is massive going forward where they can play the likes of Dublin, Kerry, Mayo, Tyrone, Donegal etc over the course of the winter/spring which will bring Meath on, but to expect to rock up today and just put it up to Dublin was totally unrealistic. Its a sobering reminder that the gulf between D1 teams and D2 teams is still astronomical and beating Clare, Armagh, Kildare and Fermanagh is well and good, but you have to up it 100% for the top, crème de la crème of the sport, Which Dublin are.
Meath need to take a day or two to just get over that. They still had a really good year, they are still achieving their goals of promotion, getting to a leinster final and possibly making the super 8's, but you cant afford to sit around admiring yourselves either because as soon as you do, you become complacent and before you know it, youre back to square one. Its imperative now that Meath don't go in to full on panic mode. Today showed how far Meath still are away from Dublin, but theyre still on the right road and long term for the sustainability of the project from your point of view (not mine, sorry) you simply have to stay in D1 next year, Staying in D1 next year is already more important in 2020 than winning a leinster because if you can maintain your D1 status, chances are youll start reaching the later stages of the All Ireland and competing/beating a top top team when you are consistently playing them. For now though your year isn't over, but its very hard to see how Meath recover from this" Let's be honest had we take the simple chances we had in the opening half the result may not have been differnt but the margin of defeat would have been
BoynesideBlue (Meath) - Posts: 130 - 23/06/2019 23:53:52
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Replying To David: "My thoughts too. Drive on & learn from our errors!" Agreed. There is absolutely no point in tearing players asunder. Time to move on, 2 weeks to get their heads together and ball on.
ClonardGael (Meath) - Posts: 75 - 24/06/2019 00:08:19
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I can't see how anybody can criticise the commitment of this bunch of lads. The reality is they are not the best 15 in the county but they are the best 15 who signed up and are willing to commit. I can't blame those who won't commit because realistically they were never going to beat Dublin but you have to admire those who have.
Not only that but they are the first bunch in a long time to get us promoted and are 1 victory away from the super 8's. I've said it all year. This next match is our all Ireland final and any meath fan who went to the Dublin game but will miss the next has their wires crossed.
The best ever meath team wouldn't beat this Dublin team who didn't exactly have their best performance themselves. Hopefully the draw in the morning pits the stronger teams against each other which would give us a better chance. Onwards on upwards. Let's break this streak of losing a leinster final and the qualifier after.
Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 24/06/2019 00:20:57
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Replying To meath1977: "whatever You think" Now what do think of my original post accurate enough I'd say !! dreadful and embarrassing today to say the least but I suppose some of you still think its progress we got to a leinster final .
mmc (Meath) - Posts: 214 - 24/06/2019 01:10:39
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Regarding Conlon as there seems to be a lot of chat on this, it reminds me of when Joey Wallace played in a Leinster final against them as well, identical stature and just eaten up. The only difference I would suggest is we had a fair selection of forwards then, whereas now we are struggling up there which was always my worry this year. Ciaran Whelan rightfully pointed out if our attacking hopes are pinned on a kid yet to develop physically, it is as much a reality check as anything else in what we have available to us. We performed admirably all year and made huge strides given what we had to work with, built on a really solid backbone and ethos that everyone bought in to, though yesterday a lack of class up there was badly exposed. The new crop of forwards can't come through quick enough though realistically that will not happen over night. I should add I also felt sorry for Newman up there, he never hid and stood out as a leader at times when others were lost at sea.
I felt sorry for the defense as well. The first half was a hell of an effort there, even more so considering there was no blanket, we went man for man and trusted the tenacity and intelligence of McGill, Lavin, etc. Better teams than us haven't come close to containing their forwards in that way, their efforts deserved more than to only have a point on the scoreboard. That was demoralising. On that note I was disappointed for Andy, I see it being remarked he looked stunned and the rest, if I had a team prepared to that level and have the hard part done in completely nullifying their machine of an attack, I'd quite rightfully be pulling my hair out when we can't carry out the absolute basics like kicking 20 yard frees to capitalise. There is only so much management can do in these situations, yet any blame and fall will only ever lead one way.
Anyway that's where the frustration ends, ultimately it was a half chance missed where not everyone done themselves justice on the big stage, but there's potentially bigger days ahead. There are only 2/3 teams in the country that won't take a circa 15 point beating off Dublin in Croker as of now, that 2/3 could even be generous to the chasing pack. Important to remember only Donegal and Dublin have beat us this year, to my eyes the best two teams in the country. Andy was right in saying beforehand that yesterday won't determine our year whatever the result - it's up to everyone to dust it off now and ensure that be true. Tyrone last year and Donegal the year beforehand showed there is plenty of steel in this team, I expect another reaction for what will be the biggest championship game we have had in many a year.
dunboynelad (Meath) - Posts: 198 - 24/06/2019 05:41:14
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Replying To Jack_Goff: "I can't see how anybody can criticise the commitment of this bunch of lads. The reality is they are not the best 15 in the county but they are the best 15 who signed up and are willing to commit. I can't blame those who won't commit because realistically they were never going to beat Dublin but you have to admire those who have.
Not only that but they are the first bunch in a long time to get us promoted and are 1 victory away from the super 8's. I've said it all year. This next match is our all Ireland final and any meath fan who went to the Dublin game but will miss the next has their wires crossed.
The best ever meath team wouldn't beat this Dublin team who didn't exactly have their best performance themselves. Hopefully the draw in the morning pits the stronger teams against each other which would give us a better chance. Onwards on upwards. Let's break this streak of losing a leinster final and the qualifier after." Who are the best 15 in the county?
bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1668 - 24/06/2019 08:39:58
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This week - management and players need to assess Dublin performance very quickly, identify a few things to work on and then park it. Next week - hope for a good draw and focus on the opposition. We're probably an outside bet for the super 8s no matter who we face but this will be a good test of the team's mindset and aspirations.
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 88 - 24/06/2019 09:03:35
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Draw means 2 of mayo/Armagh/Tyrone/Kildare will go.
If we were to draw winners of Laois Offaly would we play them or not as we played them before?
cabbage (Meath) - Posts: 143 - 24/06/2019 09:17:18
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Why did Biggy start he was at his most effective coming on with 20 mins to go. Bad decision to start him.
It was painful to watch Shane Mc Entee kick a high ball in James Conlon. It was like watching a slow car crash. If you did that at u14 you would be told off straight away. He is the smallest man playing inter county football. James Mc Entee should have laid the ball of Biggy totally free there at one stage, but instead kicked it wide. Our attack was bad no pace what where they trying to do ? Anytime we ran at them we caused problems. Our backs where great Shane Gallagher was the pick of them for me real tigerish Lavin also played well. Mc gill and a good game. They all played well really. Also few predicted that Colgan would crash and burn yesterday, but he was solid a few mistakes but good over all saving a penalty too. But our forwards where marked absent. Mc Mahon they only that looked like doing anything.
But while it was disappointing we can try to learn from the the mistakes and move on. Dublin are good and it reminded me I was at the 2016 League final and Dublin dismantled Kerry at a canter 2-18 - 0-13. Also Dublin could have beaten Tyrone by more if they wanted to so its not like we are the only team that getting beaten badly by Dublin. We didn't perform at all really yesterday so as people are saying we just have re group and go again the next day.
bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1192 - 24/06/2019 09:37:59
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Replying To Jack_Goff: "I can't see how anybody can criticise the commitment of this bunch of lads. The reality is they are not the best 15 in the county but they are the best 15 who signed up and are willing to commit. I can't blame those who won't commit because realistically they were never going to beat Dublin but you have to admire those who have.
Not only that but they are the first bunch in a long time to get us promoted and are 1 victory away from the super 8's. I've said it all year. This next match is our all Ireland final and any meath fan who went to the Dublin game but will miss the next has their wires crossed.
The best ever meath team wouldn't beat this Dublin team who didn't exactly have their best performance themselves. Hopefully the draw in the morning pits the stronger teams against each other which would give us a better chance. Onwards on upwards. Let's break this streak of losing a leinster final and the qualifier after." Agree with you totally! I am sure the lads who played yesterday are absolutely gutted! The work they put in is absolutely immense and the sacrifices made are huge. Dublin are so much fitter and physically stronger than every other team that they just seem to pull away in the last 10/15 minutes of every game. Hopefully the lads can park this and move on - Super 8's would be fantastic!
ASaminthehand (Meath) - Posts: 292 - 24/06/2019 09:39:46
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Replying To bobkarlgees: "Why did Biggy start he was at his most effective coming on with 20 mins to go. Bad decision to start him.
It was painful to watch Shane Mc Entee kick a high ball in James Conlon. It was like watching a slow car crash. If you did that at u14 you would be told off straight away. He is the smallest man playing inter county football. James Mc Entee should have laid the ball of Biggy totally free there at one stage, but instead kicked it wide. Our attack was bad no pace what where they trying to do ? Anytime we ran at them we caused problems. Our backs where great Shane Gallagher was the pick of them for me real tigerish Lavin also played well. Mc gill and a good game. They all played well really. Also few predicted that Colgan would crash and burn yesterday, but he was solid a few mistakes but good over all saving a penalty too. But our forwards where marked absent. Mc Mahon they only that looked like doing anything.
But while it was disappointing we can try to learn from the the mistakes and move on. Dublin are good and it reminded me I was at the 2016 League final and Dublin dismantled Kerry at a canter 2-18 - 0-13. Also Dublin could have beaten Tyrone by more if they wanted to so its not like we are the only team that getting beaten badly by Dublin. We didn't perform at all really yesterday so as people are saying we just have re group and go again the next day." He didn't get anywhere near the penalty and gave away two silly points.
I'm not blaming him for the penalty now the pace of the shot would have beaten any keeper
BoynesideBlue (Meath) - Posts: 130 - 24/06/2019 09:42:45
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Replying To cabbage: "Draw means 2 of mayo/Armagh/Tyrone/Kildare will go.
If we were to draw winners of Laois Offaly would we play them or not as we played them before?" That's what I want to know too.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 17035 - 24/06/2019 10:19:13
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Personally I think there are some positives to take from the games yesterday, We showed that we have the ability to defend for long periods of the game, put it up to the Dubs for a good section (albeit they prob could have upped it if required). We showed that there was a plan for the kick out specific in the early stages of the 2nd half where we were hitting long and breaking to specific areas.
On James Conlon, i feared for him out there today but he managed ok, he was on a hiding to nothing being the sole inside man. But was pointed out he was pushed off the ball to easily. Think this is something which need to be seriously looked at over the winter if he is going to be able to have any sort of impact at the highest level.
Biggie I felt had one of his better games in recent years, he showed great work rate which is unusual for him tracking back. Unfortunate for him that he got what looked like a dead leg.
James McEntee didn't offer anything for me, he was too slow in position of the ball and get turnover over a few times and showed no urgency in tracking back when the ball was lost.
Shane McEntee in the 2nd half hit some very hit and hope balls into the full forward line.
Free taking is something that need to be looked at, I know conditions where bad but we cannot afford to be missing as many frees as we did.
As a attacking unit I think we were shown up for a lack a creativity which is a major worry. Other teams will be able to clog up spaces. We also struggled with Donegal once they change the way that they played after 15 minutes.
Look I think there are positives in the performances, but ultimately how the lads recovered from this loss will determine how the season will be viewed. League is one thing but championship is where it is at. As mentioned we have only beat what were 3rd division teams so far (caveat can only beat what is in front of ya and all that) but we need to get that championship win over a similar/higher ranking team to really get that belief.
Looking forward to 2 weeks time to see what we have learned and more importantly how we respond.
juicy (Meath) - Posts: 384 - 24/06/2019 10:22:15
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It is what is what it is. The shot selection was very poor and the heads dropped after the fifth wide. the ball was played in a few times and we were out in front and just couldnt control it. Then we stopped looking for that ball when we should have stuck too it as it was giving them problems.
I thought we were cleaned out at midfield and i dont think we won one kickout. Colgan i think was just hitting an hoping though. Rather see it go straight into the stand than into an unmarked opposition player.
The real issue i had yesterday was when our defence turned over the ball and we started to move it up the pitch. the ball got to the middle of the pitch and then we started to slow it down drastically. O sullivan must have ran further backwards with the ball than forawrds for most of the game yesterday. Although to help this we need All the backs to be making the runs forward off the ball providing options.
But look the shooting boots were at home. That can happen.
Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 476 - 24/06/2019 10:26:35
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