Looking forward to 4 games Saturday.
IHC
Kildalkey v Rathmolyon: Rathmolyon would be expected to win this easily against Kildalkey second team. Plenty of experienced players in Rathmolyon team while Kildalkey will have young developing players along with ex senior players. Rathmolyon by 9points.
Gael Colmcille v Na Fianna: Big things expected of this Na Fianna team this year and they should win comfortably against a tough Kells outfit. Na Fianna by 12points.
SHC
Kildalkey v Ratoath: Great year for Ratoath hurling so far in first year Senior. They have some excellent young hurlers in Gavin McGowan and Darragh Kelly and as a team they have played well and had great wins against Longwood and Trim but now they're taking on a top team like Kildalkey and quality and experience should show for Kildalkey who have an excellent defence still led by Doran and Keogh and should have plenty of scoring power in Heavey and Conneely. Kildalkey usually crank up the tempo at this time of year and they should win with a bit to spare and look forward to a Dunboyne semi final. Kildalkey by 6points.
Killyon v Kilmessan: A big name going to exit the championship, Kilmessan were very impressive beating Trim with forwards like two Keena's and Reilly on fire, Killyon work ethic and physicality is first rate and they will need all of that to beat this Kilmessan team. Expect big game for Keoghan and Gannon and they should win and set up a semi final with Kiltale. Killyon by 2points.

Redsalltheway (Meath) - Posts: 112 - 01/09/2017 12:43:40    2041553

BoscoFrench (Meath) - Posts: 43 - 01/09/2017 13:10:58    2041576

kildalkey v ratoath:i see this being a major banana skin for kildalkey. they are facing a team high on confidence and momentum. kildalkey are lacking both, they seem to have gone back from last year. the old lads are hanging in their and giving it all but there seems to be an unhappy air about the camp and and they dont have a settled team. the big problem is a lack of goals and creating goal chances. if ratoath play well and kildalkey play as they have been playing which is average i think ratoath will sneak this. if kildalkey play well on the day they can win by 8-10 points if they fire. for ratoath to win they need to do 3 things all of which they have the capacity to do.

1) use the big pitch to their advantage by letting in quick ball to two men inside, this kildalkey back line has not had a happy time in big games in navan over the last 3 years, if ratoath score 1-14 it prob will be enough if they do the next two things well.

2) mark paddy conelly he is kildalkeys main threat from scores from play, if ratoath keep him under wraps by their best defender to 0-2 they will limit kildalkey severly on the scoring front.

3) if ratoath are hugely disciplined and keep the free count to a minimum, this means 4-5 points from frees. conor kearney is deadly accurate, a foul inside the opposition 65 is a point. his threat is small from open play but coould be dangerous in the spaces of PT.

Ratoath will win if they do these three things. but if kildalkey play well they have the capacity to put up a score of 1-20. but that mans a good spread of scorers something we havent seen much of against top teams this year.

either way i think dunboyne will beat the winners of this game in the semi final.
klmessan to beat killyon by 5 points, i belive killyon are overrated.

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 532 - 01/09/2017 21:25:59    2041708

Not sure how Killyon managed to lose that game. They were easily the better team but for the scrappy goals.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1198 - 03/09/2017 10:47:35    2042085

Foley91 (Meath) - Posts: 339 - 03/09/2017 13:15:22    2042130

Both Quarter-finals were slow and played at a pace that suited Kildalkey and Kilmessan.

In the first game a couple of simple errors in defence, lack of accuracy and a very flat second half from Ratoath helped their demise. Kildalkey had a game plan and cuteness and they stuck to it. Also Kildalkey introduced subs at the right time. Even so first foray in senior for Ratoath in over 40 years bodes well for them.

In the second game, the lesson here is when out in front, keep going. The game was broken up and slowed by the refereeing, but Kilmessan hung on when required and kept going. The ref cannot be blamed for the Killyon team not putting Kilmessan away when they had the chance. Slow puckouts, and sloppy defending also played a part. The goal at the end to draw the game was down to bad marking.

Kiltale are massive favourites after the two games in Pairc Tailteann on Saturday.

3feetoftimber (Meath) - Posts: 103 - 04/09/2017 09:49:22    2042445

Our accuracy was shocking in the second half unfortunately. When 3/4 down, we had 4 or 5 scorable chances to pull the game back but missed them all. Also, the two goals came from terrible mistakes.
While it was a very encouraging first season back in senior, our lack of goals in 5 of the 6 games we played was our biggest failing. We never carved out a clear goal chance in most of those games. And when Gavin McGowan/Darragh Kelly weren't on top form, we tended to have no plan B.
For next season, we'll hopefully have McMahon back. Not sure if Ciarán O'Hanrahan is back. Players like the McGowans, Kelly, Seán O'Hanrahan will have an extra year's experience under their belt and a few more young players may be good enough to make the step up. So I'd be hopeful we can get to a semi final next year.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1198 - 04/09/2017 11:13:10    2042481

First game of the weekend went as expected. Had ratoath a bit more composure in front of goals they might of pulled off a shock. That will come to them the more big teams they play. Kildalky not good enough to beat Dunboyne in the semi. Dunboyne keeping quite this year.
Killyon well and truly bet themselves in the second game. Ref seemed to favour Kilmessan slightly. Not giving Gannon a 21 yard free when they were 3 points up was a clear lack of knowledge of the advantage rule. Also had the ref brought his own linesmen a number of controversial line balls might of been called right and tispin might not of stayed on the pitch for an off the ball incident when on a yellow. Kilmessan done well to stick in there and get the goals when they needed. If they can keep getting goals at vital times they might spring a surprise on Kiltale.

hurlinglad15 (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 04/09/2017 14:40:27    2042565

If Ratoath played the way they played against Trim they would have bet anybody. Gavin McGowan was struggling and they survived the last day without him. Sometimes when you big guns are there you depend on them to much and they had to work without Gavin the last day. They let Kildalkey bully them in ways and reacted and should have held there composure. They did themselves proud in Senior and should be there again next year a little further on. Kildalkey and Dunboyne will be interesting there wont be to much between them. Kildalkey to win

Kilmessan did what they had to do and Kilyon missed opportunities and have only themselves to blame. Kilmessan will give Kiltale a game they may not win but they will bring a bully bully game to Kiltale which Kiltale don't like. A draw

ALLGAA32 (Meath) - Posts: 57 - 04/09/2017 15:42:38    2042587

hurlit (Meath) - Posts: 312 - 04/09/2017 16:25:02    2042602

Just noticed in the league fixtures that Trim will be playing division 4 league next year. that sums up a shocking year at the office for that club.

Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 476 - 05/09/2017 17:07:27    2043079

hurlingroyals (Meath) - Posts: 45 - 05/09/2017 17:25:41    2043093

Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 476 - 05/09/2017 21:42:30    2043172

Ratoath could have bet Kildalkey but for soft goals and missing about 8 frees. Felt referee was extremely harsh on kildalkey but ratoath didnt take advantage. Kildalkey look a beaten docket this year but Dunboyne will know if not on top form they could easily be beaten
Still fancy Dunboyne by 3-5 points.

Kilmessan were extremely lucky vs Killyon. I feel the mistake at end to not give gannon a free was terrible. The advantage rule is really misinterpreted by referees and should use common sense when they know whats at stake and the situation of the game at the time.
Kiltale will beat Kilmessan by more than 10 points. It is there championship to lose. Dunboyne do not have the backs to live with their forwards.

overthehill72 (Meath) - Posts: 334 - 06/09/2017 16:59:14    2043519

A few big games this weekend.
Na Fianna v Kilskyre/Moylagh: hard to call, Na Fianna better hurlers but Kil/M bring physicality to game that Na Fianna will struggle with. Na Fianna have struggled to get over semi final previous few years but they should win this one. Na Fianna by 1point.
Navan O'Mahonys v Kildalkey: NOM should walk this game, tho Kildalkey surprised everyone last day out when they won comfortably against Rathmolyon, lots of experience Senior players there with Lahart, Fagan and two Keoghs but they might be weakened by senior game on Saturday. NOM have to much strength and scoring power with Kelly still top class finisher. NOM by 10points.
Kildalkey v Dunboyne: very hard to call this on form. Dunboyne topped group, bet Kilmessan for big scalp but rolled over against a poor Trim team. Kildalkey have showed no fluency at all this year and look like their struggling for scores but they're still winning every game league and Championship except Kiltale game. Quigley must start and Hackett and Dunne need to hit the Kildalkey net, Kildalkey still have a tough defence but they need Heavey and Conneely to shine up front. Kildalkey by 1point ET.
Kilmessan v Kiltale: Kilmessan looked good attacking v Killyon but Killyon also carved them open at ease too. They need to defend deeper and with sweeper to have any hope against Kiltale. Kiltale have played nothing all year and that's a danger for them. If Kilmessan hit them and hunt them down how will Kiltale react? Keena's, Clynch and Marsh have to have huge games but Kiltale just have too many runners and scoring threats with Forde, Kelly, Regan and Ryan. Kiltale by 5points.

Redsalltheway (Meath) - Posts: 112 - 13/09/2017 10:53:16    2045570

To be honest it only stats now kiltale should waltz past kilmessan . Expect kildalkey to beat dunboyne

numberedjerseys (USA) - Posts: 347 - 13/09/2017 21:35:59    2045801

Not sure how you can say Kiltale have played nothing this year. Kilmessan were blessed to get past a team that Kiltale beat by 8. Kiltale should stroll past Kilmessan.
Other game will be interesting. Dunboyne should win but they haven't played in over a month.
In the IHC, unless Kilskyre have massively improved over the last year, I can't see anything but an easy Na Fianna win. Kilskyre were definitely physical but that'll only get you so far. NOM will stroll the other semi final. It should make for a great IHC final.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1198 - 14/09/2017 08:41:43    2045856

Kiltale Dunboyne final, although Dunboyne may find it tough without Quigley

TakeYourPoints6 (Meath) - Posts: 223 - 14/09/2017 08:46:11    2045861

Dunboyne Vs kildalkey: if Quigley plays he will get dunboyne over the line. Will be a tight game. Dunboyne by 1.
Kiltale Vs kilmessan: should be a great game best 2 teams in county by a mile. Kilmessan will need a huge game from county man Kevin Keena to have any chance of causing an upset. Kilmessan by 1.

thekillercrow (Meath) - Posts: 26 - 14/09/2017 09:38:33    2045873

Kiltale and Kilmessan the best two by a mile? Seriously? If Kilmessan were as good as that, they would have won the group by a mile.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1198 - 14/09/2017 10:12:52    2045883